Being in the eCommerce & dropshipping space for several years, I’ve seen the question “Can I dropship Nike products” arise an unsettling amount of times.
I say unsettling, because, no — you cannot dropship Nike products.
At least not legally.
So unless you are somehow immune to lawsuits from one of the biggest sneaker brands in the world or from being prosecuted by the US government, please stay away from Nike Dropshipping.
Why Dropshipping Nike Goods is Illegal
When you’re dropshipping Nike products (or any brand for that matter) you are in violation of multiple laws.
First of all, these products that you find on sites such as AliExpress, Alibaba, and other supposed ‘reputable’ Chinese supplier websites are all counterfeit.
They are not real Nike products. Even if they claim to be.
counterfeit products are highly illegal, let me quote this post from the NAW:
“This law, known as the Trademark Counterfeiting Act of 1984, carries substantial monetary fines (up to $5 million) and prison time (up to 20 years imprisonment or in some cases life) for individuals and companies who violate the Act.”
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
As you can see, selling or dropshipping counterfeit Nike products can get you into very serious trouble.
How You Can Legally Sell or Dropship Nike Products
If you still want to sell Nike products, you will have to become a licensed distributor.
You can do this by applying for the Nike Electronic Retailer Application.
How To Legally Dropship Sneakers
You can still legally dropship sneakers! You just can’t sell any that are owned by trademarked brands such as Nike and Adidas.
AliExpress and Alibaba suppliers have a wide variety of unbranded sneakers available.
And these often have a very good price-tag which means you can make a nice profit!
You can import these products to a Shopify store with Oberlo. Learn more about how to start dropshipping in our complete Shopify dropshipping guide.
FAQ
Can I go to jail for dropshipping Nike or other counterfeit goods?
Yes. According to the 1984 Trademark Counterfeiting Act, anyone who is selling or reselling counterfeit goods is subject to up to 20 years imprisonment, or in some cases life.
Won’t my counterfeit supplier be in trouble instead of me?
This is not true. You are responsible for selling these counterfeit products and bringing them to a US or EU market, therefore you are in violation of the 1984 Trademarking Counterfeit Act.
Is Dropshipping Legal?
Yes, dropshipping is legal. As long as you do not sell any copyrighted, trademarked, or counterfeit goods.
My dropshipping supplier claims to have real Nike products, can I use him?
No you should not. Your supplier is most likely lying.
If you don’t believe me, and want to be sure, contact Nike and ask them directly.
Can I Dropship Nike, Adidas Sneakers From AliExpress On My Shopify Store?
No, dropshipping Nike or other branded sneakers is in violation of the 1984 Trademark Counterfeit Act.
Where Can I Find a Wholesale Nike Dropshipping Supplier?
Nike is in charge of their own Wholesale distribution. If you want to sell Nike products, you will have to open an account with Nike directly.
How Can I Prevent Dropshipping Counterfeit Goods?
You can easily prevent dropshipping counterfeit goods by staying away from any brand out there. Do not sell products with branding from Nike, Adidas, Disney or any other brand out there.
Stick to dropshipping unbranded items only.
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