---
lastModified: 2026-09-08
title: Connect CJ Dropshipping
description: Connect your own CJ account with an API key, verify it in Dropshipping, and recover safely after a disconnect.
---

Connect CJ Dropshipping when you want to search, import, and operate CJ supplier products with your own CJ account.

## Before you start

**Entry path:** **Project → Dropshipping → Connect supplier**

If your project uses the older navigation, open **Store Operations → Dropshipping** instead. The current Apps page does not list CJ; use the supplier entry.

You need:

- a CJ Dropshipping account and its current API key;
- authority to connect it to the organization; and
- a safe sample product for checking the connection before relying on it.

Keep the API key private and enter it only in Runner's CJ connection dialog. Disconnecting removes supplier authorization from merchant-owned CJ imports until you reconnect.

## CJ controls and results

| Control | Why it is useful | What happens next |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Connect supplier** | Opens the provider choices from Dropshipping. | Choose CJ Dropshipping to open API-key setup. |
| **CJ Dropshipping** provider choice | Opens CJ setup from Dropshipping. | Runner asks for **CJ API Key**. |
| **CJ API Key** | Connects your own supplier account. | The dialog accepts a non-empty key for submission. |
| Eye icon | Helps check a typing mistake. | Toggles key visibility. Hide it before sharing your screen. |
| Dialog **Connect** | Submits the key. | On success, Runner clears the field, closes the dialog, and marks CJ connected. |
| **Cancel** or close | Leaves without connecting. | Runner clears the key from the dialog. |
| Delete or **Disconnect** | Starts removal. | Runner opens a confirmation before removing the connection. |
| Confirmation **Disconnect** | Removes your key. | Future merchant-authorized CJ search, import, checkout, and supplier operations are blocked until a valid connection is restored. |

To inspect setup without authorizing CJ, open the provider choice and its empty key form, then select **Cancel**. Connecting and importing below require your own valid supplier account; a catalog preview does not verify either action.

## Connect your CJ account

1. Open **Project → Dropshipping** (or the older Store Operations entry when shown).
2. Select **Connect supplier**, then choose **CJ Dropshipping**.
3. Copy the API key from the CJ account you intend Runner to use.
4. Paste it into **CJ API Key**.
5. Select **Connect** in the dialog.
6. Wait for Runner to confirm the connection.
7. Submit a safe search or open a sample CJ product in Dropshipping to verify that the connection can access the intended catalog.

Supplier connections are shared by the organization. In **Manage suppliers**, check CJ and AliExpress separately; connecting one does not connect the other.

<Frame>

[![English annotations: Manage suppliers dialog showing independent CJ Dropshipping and AliExpress connections](https://ixft9x6szo.ufs.sh/f/Cc8uxBgAYTzgTAfhTYD7lIPXqUA4xQWKLGpygc8jMtzfNJri)](https://ixft9x6szo.ufs.sh/f/Cc8uxBgAYTzgTAfhTYD7lIPXqUA4xQWKLGpygc8jMtzfNJri)

</Frame>

English callouts highlight the controls. Select the image to enlarge it.

This example shows existing connected suppliers. It demonstrates where to inspect each connection; no connection, import, or disconnection was performed for this guide.

## Disconnect or replace the key

Read the disconnect confirmation carefully. Disconnecting removes your CJ API key. It does not transparently transfer merchant-owned imports to another CJ account.

After a disconnect, future CJ search and import require a connection. Checkout and order completion for affected merchant-owned imports fail closed when Runner cannot verify the live connection, product, variant, inventory, price, or freight. Reconnect the same CJ account and recheck the item. If its supplier identity or live data no longer matches, remove the affected product and import it again.

To replace the key, disconnect the current one, confirm that Runner no longer shows it as connected, then connect the replacement. Recheck existing CJ products before accepting new orders; changing accounts can make an existing import unavailable.

## If CJ does not connect

- Copy the API key again from the intended CJ account; do not edit it by guesswork.
- **Failed to connect CJ Dropshipping** means Runner did not accept the provider connection. Check the key in CJ and retry.
- If the dialog closes without a connected state, refresh the current page before submitting again.
- If search or import fails after connecting, confirm that this CJ account can access that catalog operation.
- If disconnecting fails, assume the existing key and account context remain active until Runner confirms removal.
- If checkout stops after reconnecting, verify that the product and variants belong to the connected CJ account; re-import the item when they do not.

## Related guides

- [Connect, manage, and reconnect an app](./connect-manage-reconnect)
- [Connect 4PX fulfillment](./4px-fulfillment)
- [Troubleshoot an app connection](./troubleshooting)