13 Products You Should Avoid Dropshipping | Be Careful!

Dropshipping is a popular business model that enables entrepreneurs to sell products without owning inventory.

It has been gaining popularity lately, and many people want to get in on the action.

However, beware of some products! In this article, I will go over 13 products you should avoid when dropshipping in order to maintain a healthy and profitable dropshipping business.

One thing to keep in mind: If you're still interested in selling any of these products, you can still do that in most cases, but don't forget to find a good dropshipping supplier. (More information about that here)

And to do your research carefully (for example, doing research about what insurance you should take in case something goes wrong).

1. Big products

One of the biggest reasons dropshipping from China is so popular is because of ePacket.

But in order to use ePacket, you need to know that your package has some limitations. Like a maximum length and weight.

The maximum length of an ePacket package can only be 60 cm, and the total of the length, height, and thickness of the package cannot be more than 90 cm.

Also, the package cannot weigh more than 2 kg.

This article about ePacket will give you more information about how to use it correctly for your business.

Note: Due to Covid-19, this has changed a lot. You can learn more about the current state of dropshipping with ePacket in this article here.

You should still be careful of big products, but now you're most likely going to ship via a different shipping method.

Even if you're not dropshipping from China, big products could still be a problem for you.

For example, heavier items will probably cost extra in shipping fees, and it will be harder to manage them.

It's much easier to load a tiny bracelet in the delivery truck than a 10 kg statue of a teddy bear! This could result in product damages.

One thing to note is that big products could be collapsible. This means that a big product comes folded so it can easily fit into the ePacket requirements. For example, a plush teddy bear, not a statue of a teddy bear!

2. Products that you can't advertise on Facebook

Some products that are better to be avoided when dropshipping are the products that you can't advertise on Facebook.

However, if you really want to dropship any of these restricted products (like adult products), you have to find a different platform to advertise with. Just don't forget to read the rules of that advertising platform.

These are the products that you cannot currently advertise on Facebook:

• Unregulated supplements
• Adult products
• Third-Party infringements
• Surveillance equipment
• Counterfeit products
• Health products: "Before-and-After"
• Controversial products
• Weapons
• Tobacco products
• Drugs and drug-related products

If you want to learn more about these products and about Facebook's ad review process, I suggest reading our other article here.

You could also look at the Advertising Policies from Facebook.

3. Counterfeit and copyrighted products

You have probably seen this one already in the list of products that you cannot advertise on Facebook.

Copyrighted products are products that have been copied from a brand. Like this one from AliExpress:

Not being able to advertise these products on Facebook is not the only reason you shouldn't add these products to your dropshipping store.

Another reason is that people can get disappointed in you and your store if they expect the product to be real, in this case from Nike, only to then later find out that the product was a counterfeit.

Plus, you're likely to get into legal troubles if these companies find out that you have been selling counterfeits of their products.

Of course, there is one exception, and that is if you get a license from that company to officially sell these products.

For more information about this, check out this article here!

4. Watches

A lot of people choose the watch niche when they start with dropshipping.

I personally suggest you stay away from this niche. Unless you have the proper experience to deal with all the competition that's inside this niche.

Also, a lot of people link these watch stores with "scam stores." You can find out more about this here.

This is because most people who start dropshipping start with the free plus shipping method. And guess what kind of products they will most likely add?

Exactly, watches!

If you're interested in seeing more reasons why I suggest you don't start dropshipping watches, then you can read this article here.

5. Potentially dangerous products

This is a big one to avoid in your dropshipping store. Dangerous products, like knives.

Not only because you can't advertise it on Facebook (weapons), but also because what do you think happens when a customs officer finds out there is a knife in the package?

Every country has its own laws for what you can and can't import into that country. It's best to research these restrictions on what you can import. If you're not sure about a product, don't dropship it!

And if you're not sure yet to which country you're going to sell (so you can check their laws), then take a look at this article here with plenty of examples to get you started.

6. Fragile products

If you're dropshipping Chinese products from China, then the product delivery takes some time before the product gets delivered.

There is a big chance that during this time, the package will get some external impact. For example, when it's loaded on the delivery truck.

No one likes receiving broken items... Do you?

This is why products that are made of or contain something like glass are risky. These products have a high chance of breaking.

If you still want to dropship or want to try dropshipping these products, I suggest talking to your supplier.

Find out how they protect the product, what kind of packaging materials are they using and so on.

Also, read the reviews to see what other people are thinking about their purchase. Did they receive a broken product or not?

7. Clothing and shoes

This goes for all the products that need sizing (but mainly clothes).

A lot of people return these kinds of products because they ordered the wrong size or they ordered the right size, but the product is in Asian sizing and didn't know that.

Or worse, they order a lot of different sizes to then return the ones that don't fit.

So, if you're not ready to deal with these kinds of returns, I suggest not picking any products yet that have different sizes available.

Tip: If you think you're ready and want to sell something related to clothing, check out this list of the best clothing dropshipping suppliers!

8. Electronic products

If you're dropshipping, you can't see the products before they go to your customers.

This means that you and your customer can't be 100% sure that the product is in perfect working order.

This is hard for when you're dropshipping electronic products because a lot can go wrong with these kinds of products.

Here are some examples of electronics you should avoid:

• Products with batteries
• Razors
• Cellphones
• Security Cameras

You, as the dropshipper, are liable. If something goes wrong with the product, you need to deal with the returns.

Also, you could be liable if your customer gets injured by your product.

This is why it's better to sell relevant accessories and spare parts than electronic products.

If you want to know more about this, I suggest searching about this topic, or ask a lawyer. Here is some more information about this topic:

• Dropshipper liability on the Warrior Forum
• Drop Shipping and Quality Control by Sadler
• Commercial Insurance: What Is It, And Do You Need It For Your Ecommerce Store? by Shopify

Plus, you can check out this part of this article, which will go over tips on what kind of insurance you should buy.

9. Mainstream products

Mainstream products are products that can be found and bought almost anywhere.

I wrote a great explanation about this in a different article:

One of the biggest reasons people will still buy from you is if the product is worth the wait.

Let me explain.

Would you wait for 2-4 weeks for a sandwich maker that you can also buy in the store next door?

I don’t think so…

But what if it’s a special sandwich maker that you've never seen before, and it is also in your favorite color? Would you care if it says you might need to wait for 2-4 weeks before it’s in your house?

Source: AliExpress Long Shipping Times

You need to find unique products that cannot be easily found in a physical store.

So, don't try to sell any day products like toilet paper without having a unique factor.

Toilet paper that changes color? "Wow, I've never seen that before... I will buy it!"

Of course, you could still decide to sell mainstream products, but give your visitors a reason to buy from you. Give them a reason to wait longer than if they would have bought it at a store next door, maybe even cheaper.

10. Healthcare

Like you saw above, Facebook bans ads that show before and after results in the ad picture or video.

In the image below, you will find some examples that Facebook has got on what is forbidden and what not.

I also advise against any consumables for safety reasons. Something like weight loss pills or vitamins.

If you really want to sell any of these products, please do your research carefully; know what you're selling.

Also, some countries have laws in place about what you can sell.

11. Safety equipment

This is a big one as well. Let's start off with some examples of products that fall into this category:

• Helmets
• Mouth Guards
• Shoulder & Knee pads

Alright. Let's take for example if someone buys a helmet from you.

What do you think happens when that person gets into an accident and your helmet doesn't hold up and just completely breaks?

If something happens to that person, you will most likely get sued for having a faulty product.

That's why I suggest you stay away from these products. Unless, of course, you did your research, and you're 100% sure about the product you're about to sell.

For more tips on how not to get sued when dropshipping, check out this great article here!

12. Cosmetics

If you want to start a cosmetics niche dropshipping store, I suggest starting with selling stuff that's related to cosmetics, for example, makeup brushes.

Because you don't know anything about the cosmetics that will go on your customer's faces, like foundations, eye shadows or lipsticks, a lot could go wrong.

For example, your customer could end up with allergies (like an allergic reaction) or skin irritation after using your product because their skin might be allergic to an ingredient that you didn't even know was inside the product.

It's basically the same as with the safety equipment. I don't suggest selling it unless you know exactly what the product is made of.

13. Waterproof products

And the last product you should avoid with dropshipping are waterproof products.

Most of the time you don't know if the product is even waterproof, and if so, how far or how long it can go officially underwater.

What could end up happening is that your customer tests the product underwater. Then after that, the product is broken.

Or even worse if it breaks something else from your customer. For example, if you sell a waterproof phone case and it turns out to be not that waterproof. What do you think is going to happen when your customer finds out that their phone has just been ruined?

Conclusion

There you have it! 13 products you should avoid dropshipping in 2024!

I hope you have learned something from this list, and I hope that you will carefully do your research if you decide to dropship any of these products.

Hopefully, you're not scared now to start or continue your dropshipping journey!

But if you are, then maybe these awesome dropshipping store examples will make you calm again!

Or you can take a look at these 13 safe dropshipping products to get some inspiration on what you do can start dropshipping.

If you have any questions or if you have any suggestions for this list, let me know by commenting below or contacting me directly by pressing the "Contact Us" button at the top!

Getting started with dropshipping in 2024

So, are you ready to get started with dropshipping? Or maybe you have already started, but you’re looking to get some inspiration?

If so, I suggest reading my complete Shopify dropshipping guide!

It's a huge article, but it contains everything that you need to know to create your own Shopify dropshipping store in 2024. It's like a dropshipping course, but for free!

Reading this article will help you to get started and to stay motivated while beginning and continuing your dropshipping journey!

Just don’t forget that success takes time. Keep improving each and every day!

Shopify Dropshipping: A 20-Step Guide to Starting Your Store

Here are the articles I suggest you read next:

• Top 10 Dropshipping Niches to Avoid as a Beginner in 2024
• Dropshipping Startup Checklist: 10 Things to Do Before Starting
• How to Find Winning Dropshipping Products (13 Research Methods)

Also, if you want to get started with Shopify, then you can click here to get a free 3-day trial + pay $1/month for the first 3 months!