Real Data Revealed: How Fast is Dropshipping to the UK & Italy? (2025 December Shipping Performance Review)
- Flora
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
When it comes to dropshipping, the "Big Four" (US, UK, Canada, Australia) usually get all the attention. However, many dropshippers are hesitant to scale into the broader European market—specifically Italy (IT) and the United Kingdom (GB)—due to horror stories about slow logistics, stuck customs, and angry customers.
The common myth is simple: "Shipping to Europe takes too long, especially during Q4."
At ZQ Dropshipping, we decided to put that myth to the test. Instead of giving you estimates, we pulled real data from our system. We exported our order history from December—the busiest, most chaotic month in global logistics—and randomly selected 15 orders shipped via ZQ Dropshipping lines to major European countries.
If our shipping lines can survive the December rush, they can handle anything. Here is the breakdown of what we found.
Why Focus on the UK (GB) and Italy (IT)?
Before we dive into the numbers, it is important to understand why these two markets are goldmines for ZQ Dropshipping clients:
The United Kingdom (GB): The UK has one of the highest e-commerce penetration rates in the world. British consumers are comfortable buying online, but they expect speed.
Italy (IT): Italy is often ignored by dropshippers because of its reputation for strict customs and slow local post. However, this means less competition for you. If you use ZQ’s specialized lines, you have a massive advantage over other sellers.
The Experiment: 15 Random ZQ Orders from December
To ensure this test was fair, we followed these rules:
Timeframe: All orders were processed by ZQ Dropshipping between December 1st and December 20th (Peak Season).
Selection: Random selection of 15 orders.
Destinations: Heavily weighted towards GB and IT, with a mix of DE (Germany), FR (France), ES (Spain), etc.
The Results Table
Here is the raw data from our tracking system:
Tracking number | Destination | Order Date (Dec) | Delivered Date | Total Shipping Time |
#IH03JZA0125934670 | 🇬🇧 GB (United Kingdom) | Dec 06 | Dec 13 | 7 Days |
#UK710361056YP | 🇮🇹 IT (Italy) | Dec 05 | Dec 12 | 8 Days |
#00340434624213775175 | 🇩🇪 DE (Germany) | Dec 04 | Dec 11 | 7 Days |
#H03JZA0126239590 | 🇬🇧 GB (United Kingdom) | Dec 08 | Dec 18 | 11 Days |
#6A04796432434 | 🇫🇷 FR (France) | Dec 05 | Dec 13 | 8 Days |
#9C9089I626040 | 🇮🇹 IT (Italy) | Dec 20 | Dec 31 | 10 Days |
#0082800082809765013379 | 🇪🇸 ES (Spain) | Dec 08 | Dec 18 | 10 Days |
#UK775061585YP | 🇬🇧 GB (United Kingdom) | Dec 23 | Jan 03 | 5 Days |
#LP1000017303759CN | 🇳🇱 NL (Netherlands) | Dec 11 | Dec 19 | 8 Days |
#6122225115214 | 🇮🇹 IT (Italy) | Dec 12 | Dec 22 | 10 Days |
#00340434786490842855 | 🇩🇪 DE (Germany) | Dec 14 | Dec 23 | 9 Days |
#JJD0002234238459996 | 🇬🇧 GB (United Kingdom) | Dec 15 | Dec 22 | 7 Days |
#PX1959280469 | 🇵🇱 PL (Poland) | Dec 16 | Dec 27 | 11 Days |
#5P65D70572128 | 🇮🇹 IT (Italy) | Dec 18 | Dec 29 | 11 Days |
#6A04822709974 | 🇫🇷 FR (France) | Dec 20 | Dec 29 | 9 Days |
(Note: Total shipping time includes ZQ processing time and weekends.)
Data Analysis: What This Means for Your Business
1. The UK is Faster Than You Think
Looking at the data, the ZQ UK Direct Line is performing exceptionally well.
Average Time: 5 to 8 Days.
Consistency: Even orders placed mid-December arrived well before Christmas.
Verdict: You can confidently market "1-week delivery" to your UK customers when fulfilling with ZQ Dropshipping.
2. Italy is No Longer a "No-Go Zone"
The most surprising data comes from Italy. Historically, dropshippers expect 20-30 day delivery times for Italy.
Our Data: Consistently hitting the 8 to 11 day mark.
Why? ZQ Dropshipping utilizes specialized routes that bypass the traditional, slow postal congestion.
Verdict: Do not exclude Italy from your ad targeting. The market is hungry for products, and we can get them there in under two weeks.
3. The "December Factor"
It is crucial to remember that this data is from December. In the logistics world, December is the "stress test" in peak season.
If ZQ Dropshipping can deliver to the UK in 6 days and Italy in 10 days during the Christmas rush, imagine how fast our shipping is during the rest of the year (January – October).
How ZQ Dropshipping Achieves These Speeds
You might be wondering how we maintain these speeds when AliExpress or standard agents take 3+ weeks.
Direct Flights: We prioritize direct air freight from our warehouse to European hubs (London, Frankfurt, Liege).
Pre-Cleared Customs: ZQ’s shipping partners handle customs clearance digitally before the plane even lands, minimizing hold-ups at the border.
Reliable Last-Mile: We don't just rely on the cheapest local post. We work with top-tier local couriers to ensure the final step of the delivery is smooth.
Conclusion: Expand Your Horizons with ZQ
If you have been limiting your dropshipping business to just the US because you were afraid of European shipping times, you are leaving money on the table.
The data speaks for itself. With ZQ Dropshipping as your partner, selling to the UK, Italy, and the wider EU is fast, reliable, and profitable.
Ready to start selling to Europe? Contact ZQ Dropshipping today to get a quote for your products!
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