AliExpress shipping, customs and returns explained
How delivery options, tracking, import VAT and duties, returns and disputes work when you order from AliExpress.
Most disappointment with online orders comes from delivery and returns, not the product. Knowing how shipping, customs and returns work before you order helps you choose the right option and avoid surprises.
Shipping options
Listings usually offer several delivery methods: a cheap standard option, a faster tracked option and, for some items, shipping from a warehouse in or near your country. Choose by the delivery estimate and by whether tracking is included, not by price alone.
Reading the delivery estimate
The date shown is an estimate. Orders can take longer in busy periods such as big sales and holidays. Items shipped from a local warehouse usually arrive sooner and are often easier to return, but they can cost a little more.
Tracking
Use the tracking number on your order page, and check the carrier's own website for more detail. Tracking can look stuck for several days while a parcel changes carrier or clears customs. That alone does not mean it is lost.
Customs, duties and VAT
Many countries charge import VAT or duty on parcels from abroad. In the European Union, VAT generally applies to imported goods, and AliExpress often collects it at checkout. Rules for low-value parcels in other countries, including the United States, have changed in recent years, so check the current rules for your country before ordering.
Returns and refunds
Return rules differ between sellers and items. Read the return policy on the product page before ordering, especially for clothing and electronics. Some sellers offer free returns, while others ask you to pay for return shipping. If an item is faulty or not as described, open a dispute from your AliExpress order page rather than only messaging the seller, and keep photos as evidence.
If an order does not arrive
You can usually open a dispute if an order has not arrived by the guaranteed date. The protection period is shown on your order page and can change, so check the deadline rather than relying on memory.
Practical tips
- Order well before a deadline such as a birthday
- Prefer tracked shipping for anything valuable
- Save screenshots of the listing, the price and the return policy
- Use an address format your local post office will recognise
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