I still remember the morning I woke up to a terrifying email from Depop support. It was late 2023, and I had been testing a "hands-off" inventory strategy—basically, I was trying to fulfill orders directly from a third-party supplier without ever touching the product. I thought I was being clever. I wasn't. The subject line didn't mince words: Action Required: Account Risk Warning.
My heart dropped into my stomach. I had spent two years building that profile, amassing over 400 reviews and a decent following. The idea that I could lose it all because I wanted to save time on shipping was a wake-up call. I immediately halted my "experiment," but it led me down a rabbit hole of research to figure out where the line actually is.
If you’re scrolling through Reddit threads asking "is depop dropshipping legit," you’re going to find a war zone. One side screams that it's a scam ruining the platform; the other claims to be making five figures a month. The truth? It’s complicated, and doing it wrong will get you banned faster than you can say "AliExpress."
The Hard Truth: Is Depop Dropshipping Legal?
Let's clarify the terminology because this is where everyone gets tripped up. Is depop dropshipping legal? In the eyes of the law? Yes. It's not illegal to dropship. But in the eyes of Depop's Terms of Service? It’s a minefield.
Here is the breakdown:
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Traditional Dropshipping (The "Illegal" Way): Buying a generic $5 top from AliExpress or SHEIN and having it shipped directly to your Depop customer. Verdict: Banned. Depop updated their policies significantly in 2024 to crack down on this. They want to see that you have the item in hand.
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Print-on-Demand (The "Legal" Way): You create a unique graphic design, upload it to a provider like Printful, and they ship it when it sells. Verdict: Allowed, if you disclose it properly.
I learned this distinction the hard way. I tried to list some generic sunglasses that I didn't have in stock. Within 48 hours, my listing was flagged. Depop’s algorithm is getting scary good at recognizing stock images from Chinese marketplaces.
What Reddit is Actually Saying in 2025
If you dive into the depop dropshipping reddit threads, you’ll see a massive shift in sentiment compared to a few years ago.
Back in 2021, the subreddit was full of "how to" guides. Now, it’s full of "I got banned" posts.
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The Haters: Most verified sellers on Reddit despise dropshippers. They feel it dilutes the vintage/handmade vibe of the app. I saw one thread from January 2025 where a user tracked a dropshipper for weeks just to report every single listing. The community is actively policing itself.
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The Survivors: There are still people claiming to make money, but they are quieter now. They aren't using AliExpress. They are using high-end, local suppliers or doing "hybrid dropshipping" (ordering small batches to their house, then shipping to customers).
(And honestly, I side with the haters a bit. Nothing is worse than buying a "vintage Y2K" top for $35 and receiving a plastic bag with Chinese postage that clearly says the value is $2.)
The "Loophole": How to Dropship on Depop Without Getting Banned
So, can you dropship on depop without losing your account? Yes, but you have to change your model.
1. The Print-on-Demand (POD) Strategy
This is the only method Depop openly embraces. I tested this last summer with a series of tote bags. I designed a simple typographic logo, connected my account to a POD service, and listed them.
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The Key: I ordered samples first. I took photos of the actual sample bag in my living room.
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The Result: Sold 15 units in a month. No warnings, no bans. Because I had original photos and the design was mine, Depop treated it as a "handmade" listing.
2. The "Pre-Order" Method (Risky but Common)
Some sellers list items as "Pre-Order" with a 2-3 week shipping time. They wait for the sale, then order the item from their supplier to their own house, inspect it, repackage it, and ship it to the buyer.
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Why it works: You are technically the one shipping the item. You control the quality.
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Why it fails: Depop dropshipping relies on speed. Gen Z buyers are impatient. If you take 3 weeks to ship, your reviews will tank. I tried this once and got a 3-star review saying "Love the item, hated the wait." It wasn't worth the stress.
Finding the Right Suppliers
If you are looking for depop dropshipping suppliers, stop looking at AliExpress. The shipping times (15-30 days) are a death sentence for your account rating.
Here is where it gets interesting. The best "suppliers" are actually other domestic platforms.
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Poshmark/eBay: I know sellers who find underpriced items on eBay, list them on Depop, and when they sell, they buy the eBay item. But—and this is huge—you must have it shipped to you first.
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Local Wholesalers: I found a local warehouse in New Jersey that sells vintage wholesale. I don't hold the inventory; I go there, take photos, list them, and only buy/ship when they sell. It’s "dropshipping" with legwork.
Integrating Tools to Stay Safe
If you are serious about how to start depop dropshipping (or just reselling in general), you need data. You cannot guess what will sell.
I use Closo Demand Signals to analyze trends before I even think about sourcing a product. It tells me if "oversized denim jackets" are actually selling or if they are just sitting in people's likes. This saves me from listing items that are guaranteed to flop.
Once you have a winning product, the game becomes volume. You want that item on Poshmark and Mercari too. I use Closo 100% Free Crosslister to push my Depop listings to other platforms. It’s safer than dropshipping because I’m diversifying my risk. If Depop decides to shadowban me for a week (which happens), my income doesn't hit zero because I have sales coming in from eBay via Closo.
My Biggest Failure: The "Jewelry" Incident
I need to share a specific failure so you don't repeat it. In March 2024, I tried to dropship cheap silver rings. I found a supplier who promised "US Shipping" and "925 Sterling Silver." I listed them. I got 10 orders in a week.
The Disaster:
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The "US Shipping" was a lie. The tracking numbers originated in Jamaica, NY (a common drop-off point for overseas packages), but didn't move for 10 days.
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The "Silver" turned customers' fingers green.
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I had to refund all 10 orders out of my own pocket ($150 loss) to save my account from suspension.
The Lesson: Never sell what you haven't touched. Dropshipping on depop is not passive income; it is high-risk reputation management.
People always ask me...
Can I use stock photos from the brand?
No. This is the number one trigger for bans. Even if you are selling a legitimate Nike hoodie you have in hand, using the stock photo from Nike's website can get your listing removed. Depop wants to see your photos. If you are dropshipping, this is your biggest hurdle. You need to buy a sample just to get the photo.
What if I state "Shipping takes 3 weeks" in the description?
It doesn't matter. Buyers don't read. They see the picture, they buy, and then 5 days later they open a dispute claiming "Item not received." Depop will side with them if you don't have a valid tracking number that shows movement within their recommended timeframe (usually 5-7 days).
Conclusion
So, is depop dropshipping legit reddit users ask? The answer is: It is legit only if you redefine "dropshipping."
If you think you can sit on your couch, paste AliExpress links, and get rich, you are about three years too late. That model is dead. But if you treat dropshipping as "Print-on-Demand" or "Just-in-Time Inventory" where you prioritize quality control and original photography, you can absolutely build a business.
My recommendation? Don't rely solely on dropshipping. Use it to supplement a vintage or handmade inventory. And whatever you do, use tools to keep your operation efficient. I rely on Closo to manage my listings across platforms so I’m not dependent on Depop’s fickle algorithm alone.
Start cross-listing with Closo today—it’s the best insurance policy against an unexpected ban.
