The UK government confirmed in November 2025 that the £135 low-value import customs exemption will end by March 2029. After that date, every overseas-sourced parcel entering the UK will be subject to customs duty and import VAT — regardless of value. Sellers using London-based dropshipping suppliers are completely unaffected because stock never crosses an international border.

Yes — and arguably more than ever. UK e-commerce revenue exceeded £99 billion in 2024 and continues growing. The shift away from overseas suppliers — driven by the 2029 customs change, post-Brexit complications, and rising customer expectations around delivery speed — is creating a genuine first-mover opportunity for sellers who build London supplier relationships now.

eBay UK's Top Rated Seller criteria requires dispatch within one working day and a positive feedback rate above 98%. London suppliers with same-day cut-offs of 2pm or later — particularly in electronics, fashion, and home goods — consistently meet this standard. Park Royal and Wembley-based distributors are the most reliable for sustained eBay TRS performance.

Yes. Amazon UK's main FBA Fulfilment Centres at Tilbury (Essex) and Dunstable are both within 60 minutes of Central London. Many London wholesale suppliers offer direct FBA inbound shipment preparation — palletising, labelling, and booking Amazon's carrier collection — as part of their trade account service.

Per unit, yes — typically 20–35% more. But that gap is closed — and usually reversed — by the combination of lower return rates (London quality vs overseas lottery), higher UK selling prices (domestic provenance commands a premium), faster inventory turns (next-day vs 3-6 week restocking), and zero import duty exposure post-2029. Net GBP profit consistently favours London suppliers.

Post-Brexit, the UK replaced the EU CE mark with UKCA certification for most product categories including electronics, toys, and personal protective equipment. Verified London dropshipping suppliers on Avasam and similar platforms are pre-vetted for UKCA compliance — you are not responsible for the certification itself, only for ensuring you are listing through a compliant supplier.

Beyond Avasam, London-specific options include Spocket (filters for UK-stocked products), The Wholesaler UK directory (London supplier section), direct Companies House searches for London-registered wholesalers in your product category, and UK trade shows — Pure London (fashion, July), Top Drawer (gifts, January), and Spring Fair (general, Birmingham, February) all host substantial London supplier contingents.

Platform-based London suppliers via Avasam and Spocket have zero MOQ — one unit per customer order. Direct London trade accounts typically require opening orders of £150–£500 to establish the account, then drop to zero MOQ for ongoing dropshipping. Premium suppliers in jewellery and fashion may require minimum monthly turnover commitments to maintain trade pricing.