What is the AutoDS Sourcing Service
The AutoDS Sourcing Service is a feature designed as an alternative for dropshippers working with Chinese suppliers, who often face challenges such as long shipment times, product quality issues, and communication difficulties with suppliers. This service was designed to address these common problems by offering competitive prices, high-quality inspections, various shipping options, and direct communication with the Sourcing team.
Benefits
The AutoDS Sourcing Service provides several key benefits for your business:
Compare supplier prices, delivery times, and ratings.
Access better profit margins and exclusive products.
Full automation with tracking included via Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA).
Works for both products and existing orders.
Communicate directly with the sourcing team.
Requirements to use the Sourcing Service
Before you can start using the AutoDS Sourcing Service, you must complete specific requirements to ensure your account is configured correctly for this feature.
Note: A Sourcing Quote is a price and product proposal created by the Sourcing team in response to your request for a specific product. When you receive a quote, you can compare it with your current supplier by evaluating factors like price, product quality, and shipping options from different Chinese suppliers. If the quote meets your needs, you can link it to your product. Once linked, all future orders for that product will automatically be processed and fulfilled using the new quote instead of your original supplier.
To use the AutoDS Sourcing Service, follow these steps:
Add AutoDS Sourcing as a supplier with China as the warehouse. Learn here how to add suppliers in AutoDS.
Enable the Order Processor add-on in your account, since the AutoDS Sourcing Service requires Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA) to handle your orders automatically.
Ensure your AutoDS balance covers both product and shipping costs, and that you have sufficient AO credits.
Note: When using the AutoDS Sourcing Service, you may receive quotes for similar (not identical) products from multiple supported suppliers. This allows you to compare prices, shipping times, and product details before choosing the best option.
Costs and fulfillment
The costs and fulfillment structure for the AutoDS Sourcing Service work as follows:
Sourcing from the Products Page: 1 Auto-order credit per product when you submit the request. The credit is deducted immediately when you submit the request.
Sourcing from the Orders Page: Free of charge and processed with higher priority. This applies when you already have an existing customer order and want to source it through the AutoDS Sourcing Service.
If an order from a non-Chinese supplier already exists, no credits will be deducted for that product again.
Note: AutoDS does not keep any commission or money from your orders. The balance is required to purchase the product and pay the supplier on your behalf, as all payments from your buyers will be directed to your selling channel account, not AutoDS.
Auto-Order (AO) Credits are non-refundable and are charged as soon as you submit a sourcing request, as our team begins searching for quotes immediately. Therefore, make sure you genuinely want to proceed with the request before submitting it.
How to request sourcing quotes
Requesting quotes is the first step to using the AutoDS Sourcing Service. You can request quotes for both products and orders, but only for unmonitored orders and for AutoDS’s supported suppliers (except Wish).
From the Product page:
In AutoDS, locate the product you want to source in the Products page.
In the Sourcing Request column, click the sourcing request button to initiate the request.
A new window will open with information about the sourcing request process.
Click Proceed with Sourcing to continue, or Review Existing Orders to check the current orders for this product, since you can request the service from the Order Page at no cost.
From the Orders page:
Find the Sourcing Request column in the Orders page, then click Request Sourcing.
If the Request Sourcing button does not appear, this feature is not available for the specific order. This may happen if:
The order has already been shipped by another supplier.
The order was placed with an AutoDS non-supported supplier.
AutoDS Sourcing hasn't been added as a supplier in your account.
The Order Processor add-on is not enabled.
Select and link quotes
Immediately after requesting a quote from the AutoDS Sourcing Service, you will be redirected to a page where you can compare products from different suppliers, select the one that better fits your needs, and link it to your product or order.
Important:
Before linking a quote: Please take a moment to review the product title, description, images, and specifications to ensure they match what you want to sell. Please verify all product details with the sourcing team if you have questions about authenticity or specifications. AutoDS Sourcing Service provides options based on your request, and you can choose the option that best fits your needs.
Our role: AutoDS is a dropshipping platform, not a supplier, manufacturer, or carrier. We connect you with suppliers and process orders on your behalf. We also provide automatic updates when available and orders are eligible.
For AutoDS Sourcing Service, products pass through our warehouse in China, where our team conducts quality checks, handles packaging, and ships the products.
Terms of service: The AutoDS Sourcing Service operates under the Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA) Terms of Service.
After requesting a quote through the AutoDS Sourcing Service, the system displays similar products from various suppliers based on the product title and details you provided.
Follow these detailed steps to complete the Sourcing Request linking process:
Review the results the system returned for your Sourcing request. You can click the eye icon on each product box to open a new window with more details.
If you want to search for results for that Sourcing request, using a specific product image, go to the "Select image to search bar" option and select the desired image. The system will give you more results based on that.
Open multiple product boxes to compare and get access to:
Product information: Item cost, supplier rating, total products sold by the supplier, and international shipping costs (including any domestic shipping fee).
Variants & Shipping Info tab: View all available variants with images, SKUs, models/specifications, prices, and shipping costs.
Ship to Country dropdown menu: See all available shipping destinations. When you select a country, variant prices are automatically updated, allowing you to compare pricing per destination.
Product Info tab: Access all product details provided by the supplier in one place.
Specifications tab: Review detailed technical information, including dimensions, sizes, materials, and other product attributes.
When you find the best product match from the Sourcing request results, click Select Product to proceed to the Link Variants step.
At this stage, you’ll see a list of all the variants from your original product. By clicking Add variation next to each one, you can review sourcing results and select the option that matches that specific variant. Once you’ve linked the desired variants, click Continue.
In the new page, in the Shipping To section, click on the pencil icon so you can select the country you want to sell.
From the dropdown menu, select the country where you want to sell the Sourcing product. Review the carrier options, their prices, and estimated delivery times, then choose your preferred carrier. When finished, click Save for all variations.
After that, click the Link Product button to review variants.
Select the Link Product button again to finalize the process.
After linking a sourcing product to your original one, all new orders will be processed using the AutoDS Sourcing Service. In AutoDS, the supplier is shown as AutoDS Sourcing, and the product buy ID is updated.
If you want to ship your Sourcing product to other countries, you must complete this process separately for each country (from steps 6 to 9): click the pencil icon, select the country and desired carrier, save the settings, then repeat these steps for the next country.
Important:
In the Link Variants process in our Sourcing Service, take your time to compare the sourcing variants with those in your original product to ensure you link the correct variant.
Some products have many sizes or color variations, and you want to be sure you've linked them correctly to avoid problems with delivering the wrong item to your buyers.
Any product variants that are not linked through the AutoDS Sourcing Service will remain visible and purchasable in your store, but they will not be fulfilled via Sourcing.
If you want to remove variants you don't want to sell, go to the Products Page, select that specific product, click Edit, navigate to the Variants tab, click the trash icon, and confirm deletion.
Once an order processed through the AutoDS Sourcing Service is placed, we cannot guarantee we can switch the carrier to the one you wanted.
Please be advised that products processed through our AutoDS Sourcing service cannot be added directly to your drafts or product page. Instead, they can only be linked to the product you requested sourcing.
Note:
If you see the error "Product is out of stock (OOS)" or if none of the sourcing results meet your needs, click Request Manual Sourcing to have our team search for a new match from trusted suppliers.
Sourcing Service request statuses
You can view sourcing request statuses in the Sourcing Request column on the Products Page and in the Sourcing column on the Orders Page. Both locations display the same status indicators.
Each status indicates where your request stands in the process:
Status | Meaning |
In Progress | "In progress" is a status shown when you use the Manual Sourcing Request modal. It means that your product is currently being sourced by the team. This process typically takes up to 48 hours. |
Cannot Be Sourced | The "Cannot be sourced" status means that no suitable supplier was found for your product. You can try to make a sourcing request another day, or keep using your original supplier. |
Ready | The quote is available and ready for your review. The next step is to compare the quote details and link it to your product if it meets your needs. |
Linked | The quote has been successfully attached to your product or order. All future orders for this product will now be fulfilled using this linked quote. |
Sourcing processing time
The AutoDS Sourcing Service processing time refers to the period it takes from placing an order to when the product is ready to ship to your customer. This timeline is essential to understanding when working with suppliers from China, as it can sometimes vary due to several factors.
Typical processing time
At AutoDS Sourcing Service, we strive to process orders as efficiently as possible, with most orders being completed within 3 to 5 business days. However, the dropshipping model operates differently from traditional eCommerce. Since we work with a vast network of suppliers and manufacturers across China, products are not stored in a central warehouse waiting to be shipped. Instead, they are sourced after the order is placed, which can sometimes lead to variable processing times.
The fulfillment process
Once you place an order through the AutoDS Sourcing Service, the fulfillment process begins.
Here is a detailed overview of each step in the sourcing fulfillment process:
Order fulfillment: Once you confirm and use the managed balance to pay for an order, our sourcing team in China begins working to obtain the product from the supplier.
Product acquisition: The supplier packages and ships the item to our warehouse for further processing.
Quality check: Upon arrival, the item is inspected to ensure it meets the quality standards you and your customers expect.
Shipping: Your order is finally dispatched for shipping, with tracking information provided to you and your customers via your selling channel.
In most cases, this sourcing fulfillment process is completed within three days. However, there are instances where external factors might delay this timeline.
Common reasons for delays
Despite our best efforts, some delays are outside of our control when using the AutoDS Sourcing Service. These common reasons can help you set realistic expectations with your customers.
Here are three scenarios that might extend processing times:
Supplier stock issues: Occasionally, when our team orders an item from the supplier, it may be temporarily out of stock. In such cases, the supplier must manufacture additional units before the item can be sent out, which can lead to delays.
Shipping delays: The supplier may experience longer-than-expected delivery times, which can delay the entire fulfillment process.
Holiday seasons: During major holidays in China, such as the Chinese New Year or Golden Week, many suppliers and factories shut down their operations temporarily. This pause in production and shipping can significantly delay the fulfillment process, as orders pile up and are processed only after the holidays end. You can check Chinese holidays for any year by entering it on this website.
How to contact the sourcing team
To resolve issues or ask questions about the AutoDS Sourcing Service, you need to know how to contact the team. You can reach out to the team through multiple channels depending on your needs.
Note: The Message button on the product page allows you to contact suppliers only for specific services: Print On Demand (POD) products, AutoDS Sourcing Service quotes, AutoDS Suppliers, AutoDS Private Suppliers, and AutoDS Warehouse orders. This button is not available to standard marketplace suppliers or for contacting support agents regarding other concerns.
You can reach out to the Sourcing team through multiple channels, depending on your needs:
On the Sourcing Request Page:
Click on the Actions button.
Click on the Message button about this sourcing request.
On the Order Details Page:
Go to the Orders page.
Click the three dots icon.
Click on the button Message about this order.
On the Messages Tab:
Go to the left-hand menu > Click on Messages.
Send a message to the AutoDS Sourcing team providing the order ID for faster assistance.
Important: Check the Messages section regularly from the left-hand menu. In rare cases, suppliers may contact you about your order to confirm information or notify you of price changes. This can happen when the actual weight differs from the estimate when the product reaches the carrier. Suppliers will also contact you if there are any issues with your order, so your response may be required before the order can move forward.
Returns and policies
The AutoDS Sourcing Service has specific return policies that outline what happens in various return scenarios.
These policies help you know what to expect when issues arise:
Scenario | Policy |
Product returns | Product returns from Sourcing requests are only accepted for damaged or missing items. |
Incorrect address or name | Orders fulfilled through the AutoDS Sourcing Service are non-refundable if the order fails due to incorrect shipping details provided. |
Large volume items | For large volume items from sourcing requests, carriers may apply additional shipping charges upon delivery to the final destination. These charges will be communicated when processing the order. |
Damaged or missing items | Please contact our support team within seven business days of delivery for Sourcing orders so we can assist you.
Make sure to reach out through one of the following methods: Sourcing Request Page, Order Details Page, or Messages Tab. |
Sample orders
The AutoDS Sourcing Service also allows you to create sample orders to test products before selling them to customers. You can place a test order directly from AutoDS, making it easy to evaluate shipping times and product quality before committing to selling the item.
When you order a sample through AutoDS, please note that you will be responsible for covering the full cost of the product and its shipping. AutoDS simply places the order on your behalf with the supplier.
Click here to learn more about how to create and manage sample orders.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I request quotes from any supplier site using the AutoDS Sourcing Service?
Can I request quotes from any supplier site using the AutoDS Sourcing Service?
You can use the AutoDS Sourcing Service for unmonitored products or supported suppliers (except Wish). To view all AutoDS-supported suppliers, click here.
How long does the AutoDS Sourcing Service take to process manual requests?
How long does the AutoDS Sourcing Service take to process manual requests?
After submitting a manual request through the AutoDS Sourcing Service, our team typically provides a quote within 48 hours.
Once you link the quote and place the order, the handling time begins, usually taking 3 to 4 days for the item to arrive at our warehouse in China.
After inspection, the item is shipped to the buyer.
To calculate the total timeline, you should consider:
Quote response time: 48 hours (2 days).
Handling time: 3 to 4 days.
Total time: 5 to 6 days before shipping to the buyer.
What should I do if the quote offered the wrong product or if i want to request a change?
What should I do if the quote offered the wrong product or if i want to request a change?
If you are not satisfied with the product offered in the quote provided through the AutoDS Sourcing Service, you can:
Click 'Request a Change' on the sourcing request's page.
Explain the issue.
Click the "Request a Change" button.
The request status will be updated, allowing you to track the progress of your new request.
Why can I not find the "Create Sourcing Request" button on the Orders Page?
Why can I not find the "Create Sourcing Request" button on the Orders Page?
If you cannot find the "Create Sourcing Request" button on the Orders Page, this is likely because your order is linked to a non-Chinese supplier. The AutoDS Sourcing Service button is hidden for orders connected to suppliers outside of China.
Workaround to request a quote:
Important: A supplier for an order can only be changed while the order is still in Pending status.
You can follow the workaround below if Auto-Order is disabled for this product, as the order will not be processed automatically and will remain in Pending status.
Go to your Products Page, locate the product, click on the three-dot icon, and request a quote.
Link the AutoDS Sourcing quote to your product.
Return to the order and change the status to "Send To Auto Order" so it will be processed with the AutoDS Sourcing Service.
If Auto-Order was already enabled when you received the order:
The order will be automatically processed with the original supplier. In this case, you can still request a quote through the Products Page (following steps 1-2 above), but the AutoDS Sourcing option will only apply to new orders for this product, not the current one.
Tip: To avoid this situation in the future, disable Auto-Order for products where you want to manually choose AutoDS Sourcing as your supplier.
What should I do if I no longer want to use the linked quote?
What should I do if I no longer want to use the linked quote?
If you do not want to fulfill the linked quote from the AutoDS Sourcing Service, you have two options:
Option 1: You can change the supplier when you are using the AutoDS Sourcing Service by editing the variant information in your order.
Find the specific order on the orders page.
Click on the product's image to open a new pop-up window.
Go to the Product tab.
Click the "Use Different Product" button.
Change the data for the supplier’s name, warehouse region, and buy variant ID.
Click on the Save button.
Option 2: Delete and re-upload the product to start fresh.
Go to your Product Page on AutoDS.
Find the product you want to delete.
Click the three dots icon.
Click on Delete.
To check how to upload your product, click here.
Is the AutoDS Sourcing Service worth it for shipping to countries like the USA or more distant regions?
Is the AutoDS Sourcing Service worth it for shipping to countries like the USA or more distant regions?
Whether the AutoDS Sourcing Service is worth it for shipping to countries like the USA or more distant regions depends on several important factors you need to consider.
You can use AutoDS Sourcing Service for orders to these regions, but keep in mind that products typically ship from China, which means longer delivery times compared to local or regional suppliers.
Key considerations:
Delivery times: Shipping from China to far-distance countries like the USA can take longer. Make sure to check the estimated delivery times for each country you plan to ship to when reviewing quotes in the AutoDS Sourcing Service.
Platform policies: If you're selling on platforms with strict delivery time and tracking requirements (such as Amazon, eBay, or others), longer shipping times could negatively impact your store's performance metrics, ratings, or even account standing. Always verify your selling channel's policies before using AutoDS Sourcing.
Additional costs: Consider possible customs fees and import taxes that may apply to your shipments, as these can affect your profit margins.
Bottom line: It's ultimately the seller's responsibility to ensure that their chosen supplier aligns with their business needs and platform requirements. For some products or markets, AutoDS Sourcing may work well, while for others, you might need to consider alternative suppliers with faster shipping options.
Can I unlink a product after linking it to AutoDS Sourcing?
Can I unlink a product after linking it to AutoDS Sourcing?
Currently, we do not have a direct option to unlink a product once it has been linked to the AutoDS Sourcing Service. However, you have two alternatives:
Option 1: Change the supplier for specific orders
You can manually change the supplier at the order level by editing the variant information. Learn how to change the product here.
Option 2: Delete and re-upload the product
Delete the product from AutoDS.
Re-upload the product with your preferred supplier.
Why are the shipping costs high in my sourcing quote?
Why are the shipping costs high in my sourcing quote?
If you're wondering why the shipping costs in your sourcing quote are high or seem expensive, keep in mind that the AutoDS Sourcing Service works with suppliers from China. While product costs tend to be lower, shipping times and costs can vary depending on the destination country and product specifications.
In rare cases, the supplier may contact you about your order to confirm information or notify you of any price changes. This can happen when the actual weight of the product differs slightly from the estimate when it reaches the carrier. The supplier will also contact you if there are any issues with your order, so make sure to check your Messages section regularly.
What you should do:
Compare the available options: After requesting a sourcing quote, the system displays similar products from various suppliers. It is your role to compare prices, similarities, shipping options, and supplier ratings among the options shown to choose what better fits your needs.
Review the product tabs:
Product information: Shows supplier rating, total products sold, and shipping prices
Variants Information: Shows detailed information about variations, including price and shipping costs
If none of the options meet your needs: Click "Request Manual Sourcing" to have our team search for a match from trusted Private Suppliers.
You're not required to link: If the shipping costs don't work for your business, you can choose not to link the quote and continue with your original supplier.
Remember: Only link a quote if the pricing works for your business model.
Why does the "Request Sourcing" button appear on all my products?
Why does the "Request Sourcing" button appear on all my products?
The "Request Sourcing" button appears on all your products on the Products Page and the Orders Page to provide quick, easy access to the AutoDS Sourcing Service whenever you need it.
This is expected system behavior, designed to offer flexibility in managing your sourcing options. The appearance of the "Request Sourcing" button does not affect your products and orders in progress unless you click and use the AutoDS Sourcing Service. The button should only be used when you actively want to source a new supplier or request alternative sourcing options for specific products.
Hiding the column: If you want to hide the "Request Sourcing" column from your view on either the Products or Orders pages, you can customize your table display.
Click the three lines (|||) icon in the upper right corner of the page.
In the Customize Display window, enable or disable the toggle switches to hide or show each column.
Click here to learn more about customizing your table view.
Important: If you hide the "Sourcing Request" column, the button will not be visible when you need to use the AutoDS Sourcing Service in the future. Make sure you understand this before hiding the column, as you may need to re-enable it later to access sourcing options.
The "Request Sourcing" button appears only for products from AutoDS's supported suppliers (except Wish) and for unmonitored orders and orders that have not been processed by another supplier. If an order was already processed or shipped, the button will not be available.
What should I do if my desired shipping country is not available in the AutoDS Sourcing Service?
What should I do if my desired shipping country is not available in the AutoDS Sourcing Service?
If you submit a Sourcing Request and your desired country is not available in the shipping options, it means the supplier for that product does not ship to that country.
Your options:
Submit a new sourcing request to find a different supplier who ships to your desired country.
Use your original supplier: Continue using your current supplier if they ship to your target country.
Important: The AutoDS Sourcing Service cannot guarantee that all suppliers returned in sourcing results will ship to all countries. Shipping availability depends entirely on each individual supplier's shipping policies and coverage.