Buying guide
How to Dropship Wholesale Shoes by the Case
Wholesale shoes ship in case packs, not single pairs. Here's how case-pack dropshipping works, your shipping and packing-slip choices, and what to ask a supplier before your first order.
Most dropshipping advice assumes you sell one item at a time: a customer buys a pair of shoes, and a supplier ships that single pair for you. Wholesale footwear rarely works that way. Shoes are packed and sold in case packs, a carton with a set number of pairs in a fixed size and color assortment. Case-pack dropshipping keeps that carton intact and sends it straight to your customer instead of to you.
The short answer: you buy a full case pack from a wholesale supplier, give them your customer's address, and the supplier ships the case directly to that customer, usually "blind", with no supplier pricing or invoice inside. It works for orders where your customer wants a full case, not a single pair.
This guide explains how it works, how it differs from single-pair dropshipping, the shipping and paperwork choices you'll make, and what to ask a supplier before your first order.
What is case-pack dropshipping?
A case pack is the unit a wholesaler sells: for example, 24 pairs of one style in a mix of colors and sizes. In case-pack dropshipping, you still buy that full case at wholesale, but the supplier ships it to the address you give them rather than to your store or warehouse.
It suits retailers, wholesalers and distributors whose customers order in volume: another store restocking, a business buying for staff, or any buyer who wants a full case delivered to their own door. You never handle the carton, and you don't need storage space for it.
- Your customer orders a casefrom you, at your price
- You order the same casefrom the wholesaler, with your customer's address as the shipping address
- The wholesaler packs itas a full, unsplit case, with your packing slip if you send one
- It ships blindon the supplier's carrier account, your carrier account or your own label
- Your customer receives itwith no wholesale pricing inside
You and your customerWholesale supplier
Case-pack vs. single-pair dropshipping
The two models solve different problems. Know which one you need before you contact a supplier, because most wholesalers only do one of them.
| Case-pack dropshipping | Single-pair dropshipping | |
|---|---|---|
| What ships | A full carton with the supplier's size and color assortment | One pair in the exact size the shopper chose |
| Typical buyer | A business or bulk buyer who wants a full case | An individual shopper |
| Pricing | Wholesale case pricing | Usually a higher per-pair cost to cover picking and packing |
| Choosing sizes | Fixed by the case assortment | Any size, one at a time |
| Who offers it | Wholesalers that ship by the carton | Suppliers set up for individual order fulfillment |
If your customers need one pair in a specific size, a case-pack supplier isn't the right fit. If they buy in volume, case-pack dropshipping keeps you on wholesale pricing without the inventory.
Your shipping choices
Case packs are bulky, so shipping is a real part of the cost. Ask which of these a supplier supports:
The supplier ships on its own account
The simplest option. The supplier creates the label, and you pay the shipping charge with your order. It's a good default if you don't have a carrier account.
The supplier ships on your carrier account
If you have a UPS or other carrier account with negotiated rates, some suppliers will create the label and bill the shipment to your account. You give them the account number, never your carrier login or password, and confirm you're authorized to bill it.
You supply your own labels
You create the label in your own shipping software and send it to the supplier, who prints it and puts it on the carton. Ask the supplier for case weights and dimensions so you can buy the right label.
Blind shipping and packing slips
"Blind shipping" means the package contains nothing that shows the supplier's prices. When you dropship, that matters: your customer shouldn't see what you paid.
- No supplier invoice or price list in the carton.
- Your own packing slip, if the supplier accepts one. Most ask you to send it after ordering, with your order number.
- A PO or reference number on the order, so you can match it to your customer's order.
- Sender name on the label: some suppliers can show your business name, depending on what the carrier label allows. Ask before you promise it to your customer.
Example
Easy USA dropships full case packs from Carlstadt, NJ. Wholesale customers tick "Dropship this order" in the cart, enter their customer's address at checkout, and choose to ship with Easy USA, on their own UPS account, or with their own labels. Their own packing slip is optional, and there's no Easy USA pricing in the box. One example case, W3120L-A house slippers, holds 24 pairs in 5 colors and sizes XS–L.
Questions to ask a supplier before your first order
- Do you dropship full case packs to my customer's address?
- What's in each case: how many pairs, which sizes and which colors?
- Can I mix different styles in one dropship order?
- Is there a minimum order?
- Do you ship blind, with no pricing or invoice in the box?
- Can you include my packing slip? How do I send it?
- Can you ship on my carrier account, or with labels I provide?
- Can the label show my business name as the sender?
- When does a dropship order ship, and how will I get tracking?
- How are returns and damaged shipments handled?
Costs to plan for
Your margin on a dropshipped case is your selling price minus the wholesale case cost and the shipping. Shipping depends on the carton's size and weight and on the destination, so get a real rate before you quote your customer. If you have a carrier account with good rates, shipping on your account or with your own labels can make each case cheaper to deliver.
Ready to dropship wholesale footwear by the case?
See how dropshipping works at Easy USA, or browse case packs you can ship straight to your customers.
Frequently asked questions
Can you dropship a single pair of wholesale shoes?
Not from a case-pack supplier. Wholesalers that sell by the case ship full cartons with a set size and color assortment. If you need single pairs, look for a supplier set up for individual order fulfillment.
What does "blind shipping" mean?
The package arrives with no supplier pricing or invoice inside, so your customer only sees your business. Many suppliers also let you include your own packing slip.
Can I use my own UPS account for dropshipping?
Many wholesalers allow it. You give them your account number and confirm you're authorized to bill it, and the shipping is billed to your account instead of added to your order.
Who pays for shipping on a dropship order?
You do, one way or another: either the supplier adds a shipping charge to your order, or the carrier bills your own account or the labels you buy.
Do I need my own inventory or warehouse?
No. With case-pack dropshipping, the supplier ships from its warehouse straight to your customer, so you don't receive or store the cartons.
Questions about dropshipping with Easy USA? Read how dropshipping works, contact our team or call 1-800-886-3288.
