Few questions about drop shipping

After having a recent shipment of mine from China seized by US customs, I'm a bit paranoid about dropshipping and the wholesale business. On the other hand, it seems quite lucrative, so I have a few questions.

1) How much money (roughly) does one need to get started? I mean, sure you could start off with a couple dollars, but I reckon it would be difficult. So maybe a better question, how much money would allow for one to start comfortably in the business.

2) On top of items to sell, what else is needed? A PO box possibly? If so, how much am I looking at ($$$) for that, in the US?

3) Is US customs reasonable as far as things that are legal? Have any of you had experiences where customs actually seized items that were legit and legal?

How the products been shipped to you? By ems, by dhl, by fedex?

What you are talking about is not dropshipping. You are talking about buying the stuff from China, having it delivered to your address and then shipping it from there.

Dropshipping=You list on eBay, someone buys the item, you tell your supplier to ship it to your buyers address. It never touches your hands. You need $0

I think the hard part is finding a reliable dropshipper. I have yet to find one.

Thanks for your replies everyone.

honzarox said:

What you are talking about is not dropshipping. You are talking about buying the stuff from China, having it delivered to your address and then shipping it from there.

Dropshipping=You list on eBay, someone buys the item, you tell your supplier to ship it to your buyers address. It never touches your hands. You need $0

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Right, mixed up my words. Question for you. What are the pros/cons of dropshipping, and the pro/cons of shipping items personally yourself (in your opinion)?