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TopDawg Featured in Forbes: Why U.S.-Based Dropshipping Is the Future of eCommerce

By Darren DeFeo | Updated on October 13, 2025

TopDawg Featured in Forbes: Why U.S.-Based Dropshipping Is the Future of eCommerce

A Major Milestone for TopDawg

We’re thrilled to announce that TopDawg was recently featured in Forbes, one of the most respected publications in global business and innovation. The article, titled “Mitigate Tariff Impact With Supply Chain Collaboration”, highlights the shifting dynamics of international trade and how forward-thinking companies are adapting — with TopDawg leading the way in the world of U.S.-based dropshipping.

 

For our community of over 20,000 online retailers and 3,000+ suppliers, this feature is more than just a shout-out. It’s a signal to the market that TopDawg is redefining how eCommerce works in the U.S. — with reliability, speed, and compliance at the center.

 

In this post, we’ll break down:

- What the Forbes article is about

- Why TopDawg’s model is gaining national attention

- How U.S.-based dropshipping is transforming the online retail space

- What this means for retailers, suppliers, and eCommerce entrepreneurs

 

 


 

The Forbes Feature: What It Means and Why It Matters

In the Forbes piece, TopDawg is cited for our expert insights into how recent U.S. tariffs are disrupting traditional supply chains — and how domestic dropshipping is emerging as a key strategy to offset those impacts.

 

Here’s a quote from the article:

“An analysis by dropshipping platform TopDawg highlights that shipments from China and Hong Kong face the recent elimination of the de minimis exception (imports valued $800 or less), and new duty rates on postal shipments, where purchasers must choose either a 120% ad valorem duty or a $200 per-item fee.”
Forbes, July 31, 2025

 

This recognition isn’t just validation of our vision. It’s proof that what we’ve been building for over a decade — a stable, U.S.-centric supply chain for eCommerce — is exactly what today’s market needs.

 

 


 

Why U.S.-Based Dropshipping Is the Future

Tariffs, global instability, shipping delays, rising freight costs, and marketplace restrictions — these are no longer edge-case issues. They’re the new normal.

 

Here’s why U.S.-based dropshipping, and by extension TopDawg, is the solution:

 

 

1. No More Import Tariff Headaches

Retailers sourcing from overseas often face:

 

- Surprise customs fees

- Import duty changes (especially from China)

- Marketplace delays due to compliance flags

 

With TopDawg’s domestic supplier network, your products ship from within the U.S. — no import duties, no customs clearance, no drama.

 

 

2. Faster Shipping = Higher Conversion Rates

TopDawg retailers can deliver most orders in 2–5 business days. That’s a game-changer when compared to the 10–30 day wait times from typical China-based dropshipping.

Faster delivery drives:

 

- Higher cart conversions

- Lower return rates

- Better customer reviews

- Increased repeat business

 

 

3. Marketplace-Compliant Catalog

Platforms like Walmart and Amazon are cracking down on:

 

- Non-compliant sellers

- Long shipping times

- Poor product data

 

TopDawg solves this by:

 

- Vetting every supplier

- Restricting products based on marketplace rules

- Enforcing MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) when applicable

 

 

4. Stable Pricing, Predictable Margins

Chinese sellers may change prices daily. TopDawg offers stable wholesale pricing, helping you:

 

- Set consistent pricing strategies

- Avoid unexpected margin loss

- Build long-term growth, not short-term gambling

 

 


 

What TopDawg Offers That Others Don’t

While many dropshipping platforms rely on importing or reselling AliExpress inventory, TopDawg stands apart. Here’s how:

 

Feature

TopDawg

Other Dropshipping Platforms

U.S.-Based Suppliers

Yes

Mostly China

2–5 Day Shipping

Yes

Often 10–30 Days

Branded Packing Slips

Yes (Scale & Premier Plans)

Rare

Marketplace Integrations

Shopify, eBay, Walmart, Amazon

Partial

Live Phone Support

Yes

No

Real-Time Inventory Sync

Yes

Some

SEO-Optimized Catalog

Yes

Often Poor

API Access

Premier Plan

Limited or None

 

 


 

Key Takeaways from the Forbes Mention

 

 

TopDawg is nationally recognized as a leader in adapting to tariff policy shifts
U.S.-based dropshipping is now a competitive advantage, not just a logistics decision
Our model supports serious online retailers who want long-term success
The market is shifting — and TopDawg is at the forefront

 

 


 

💥 Ready to Build a Dropshipping Business That Lasts?

Join thousands of online retailers who trust TopDawg to power their eCommerce growth.

🟢 Start your 7-Day Free Trial of the Business Plan today – No strings attached.
👉 Start Free Trial Now

📘 Want to learn more first? Read our full analysis:
👉 How U.S. Tariffs Are Transforming Dropshipping

 

 


 

How to Start and Grow a Profitable U.S.-Based Dropshipping Business with TopDawg

Launching your online retail store is the first step toward building a thriving eCommerce business. At TopDawg, we make the growth stage easier by connecting you with a trusted network of U.S.-based wholesale dropshipping suppliers and over 500,000 high-quality, marketplace-compliant products. Our seamless Shopify, Walmart, Amazon and eBay integrations, real-time inventory syncing, and automated order fulfillment help you save time, avoid costly errors, and deliver orders to customers in as little as 2–5 business days.

 

To learn exactly how to launch your store the right way, read our free step-by-step guide: [How to Start a Dropshipping Business with TopDawg] — your blueprint for building a profitable and scalable eCommerce brand.

 

 


 

📝 Conclusion

The recent Forbes feature is not just a win for TopDawg — it’s a win for the entire community of retailers and suppliers who believe in building eCommerce businesses the right way.

As global conditions become more complex, resilience and speed will define success. TopDawg’s U.S.-based model is built to help online retailers navigate the turbulence and thrive.

Thank you to all our partners, members, and supporters. This is only the beginning.
 

 


 

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Top 10 USA-Based Dropshipping Suppliers (Why TopDawg Leads the Pack)

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Topdawg's Product Catalog: Connecting Retailers with Quality Dropshipping Products

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🖋️ About the Author

 

Darren DeFeo is the CEO of TopDawg, a U.S.-based dropshipping platform helping thousands of retailers streamline their eCommerce operations. With over 20 years of experience in eCommerce operations and innovation, Darren is passionate about helping entrepreneurs build sustainable, scalable online businesses.

 

When he’s not driving growth at TopDawg, Darren focuses on establishing strong partnerships that keep retailers ahead of trends, especially in a rapidly shifting global trade environment.

 

🔗 Connect with Darren on LinkedIn

 

Frequently Asked Questions

TopDawg was featured in Forbes for its expert insights on how U.S. tariffs, the removal of the de minimis exemption, and global supply chain disruptions are reshaping eCommerce. The article highlights TopDawg’s U.S.-based dropshipping model as a practical solution for retailers seeking faster shipping, tariff avoidance, and marketplace compliance in a rapidly changing trade environment.
The Forbes article explains that U.S.-based dropshipping is becoming a strategic advantage as imports from China and Hong Kong face higher duties, new fees, and longer delivery times. By sourcing products from domestic suppliers, retailers can avoid customs delays, reduce tariff exposure, and meet modern consumer expectations for fast, reliable shipping.
Recent tariff changes have significantly increased costs for overseas dropshipping models, especially those relying on low-value imports from China. Retailers now face higher duties, unpredictable fees, longer transit times, and increased marketplace scrutiny—making traditional international dropshipping less reliable and less profitable.
TopDawg connects retailers with verified U.S.-based suppliers, meaning products ship domestically within the United States. This eliminates import duties, customs clearance delays, and surprise fees—allowing retailers to operate with predictable costs and faster fulfillment.
Consumers increasingly expect delivery in under a week, influenced by Amazon Prime and major marketplaces. Slow shipping times often lead to abandoned carts, poor reviews, and lower repeat purchases. TopDawg’s 2–5 business day domestic shipping helps retailers increase conversion rates, reduce returns, and build long-term customer trust.
Yes. TopDawg maintains a marketplace-compliant catalog by vetting suppliers, enforcing product restrictions by channel, syncing real-time inventory, and supporting MAP pricing when required. This helps retailers avoid account suspensions, listing removals, and compliance-related delays on platforms like Amazon, Walmart, Shopify, and eBay.
Unlike platforms that rely heavily on AliExpress or overseas suppliers, TopDawg focuses exclusively on U.S.-based fulfillment. This results in faster shipping, more stable wholesale pricing, better product data quality, branded packing slip options, and stronger marketplace compliance—making it a better fit for serious, scalable eCommerce businesses.
Yes. TopDawg provides real-time inventory syncing and automated order fulfillment across supported integrations. This reduces overselling, prevents out-of-stock cancellations, and allows retailers to scale efficiently without manual order processing.
TopDawg is designed for online retailers, brands, and eCommerce entrepreneurs who want to build sustainable businesses using U.S.-based suppliers. It is especially well-suited for sellers focused on long-term growth, predictable margins, fast delivery, and compliance with major marketplaces.
The Forbes feature validates TopDawg’s business model and reinforces its leadership in U.S.-based dropshipping. For retailers, it signals confidence, credibility, and long-term viability—showing that their supply chain strategy aligns with where eCommerce is headed.
Yes. TopDawg supports both new and experienced sellers with onboarding resources, integrations, real-time tools, and customer support. Beginners can follow step-by-step guides to launch quickly, while advanced sellers can leverage automation, APIs, and scalable workflows.
Yes. As tariffs, shipping delays, and marketplace enforcement continue to increase, U.S.-based dropshipping offers faster delivery, greater reliability, and better customer experiences. Industry recognition from Forbes underscores that domestic supply chains are becoming the preferred path for serious online retailers.

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