The Ultimate Guide to AliExpress Shipping

Time: Apr 02,2025 Author: SFC Source: www.sendfromchina.com

AliExpress has revolutionized product sourcing for e-commerce businesses with its vast catalog and low prices. However, understanding AliExpress shipping is crucial for business owners who rely on timely deliveries and transparent tracking. In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know – from shipping services and delivery times to tracking orders and comparing AliExpress with competitors like Temu, Shein, and GOAT. The goal is to help you make informed decisions and set the right expectations for your customers.

1. AliExpress Shipping Services

AliExpress isn’t a single seller – it’s a marketplace. AliExpress provides multiple shipping methods that can vary per seller and product. Generally, though, AliExpress offers a range of shipping services that balance speed and cost. Here are the most common AliExpress shipping options:

AliExpress Standard Shipping

A default option on many listings, managed by AliExpress’s logistics partners (Cainiao). It’s affordable (often free) and offers end-to-end tracking. Delivery typically takes 10–45 days depending on destination

AliExpress Premium Shipping

A faster (but costlier) option using private carriers (e.g. DHL, FedEx). Delivery can be as quick as 7–15 days. It includes reliable tracking and is ideal if you need items urgently.

ePacket

A popular shipping method for light packages, provided via China Post-EMS arrangements. It’s relatively fast and usually arrives in 7–30 days with tracking. Many AliExpress sellers use ePacket for its speed/cost balance.

Cainiao Super Economy (and other Cainiao services)

Cainiao (Alibaba’s logistics arm) offers super-cheap shipping for small items. Cainiao Super Economy Global can take 30–50 days and often has limited tracking. It’s used for very low-value items with free shipping.

National Postal Services

Sellers may ship via national post like China Post Air Mail/Parcel. China Post is indeed a common carrier for AliExpress orders. For example, China Post Air Parcel typically delivers in 7–30 days and provides tracking. Other routes include Singapore Post, Yanwen, SunYou, etc., each with varying speeds.

Express Couriers

For high-value orders, sellers might offer DHL, UPS, FedEx, or EMS. These are the fastest (around 1–10 days globally) but come with higher shipping fees. They are trackable and reliable, often used when a buyer is willing to pay a premium for speed.

Key Takeaway: AliExpress shipping services range from economical snail-mail options to international express delivery. As a business owner, you can choose a method that fits your needs – slower but free/cheap shipping for cost savings, or faster shipping to satisfy customers who need quick delivery. Always check what options the seller offers at checkout.

2. Where Does AliExpress Ship From?

One of the top questions is “Where does AliExpress ship from?” The short answer: mostly from China. AliExpress is a China-based platform, and the majority of sellers and warehouses are in China. According to an e-commerce case study, most AliExpress sellers are based in China.

That said, AliExpress has expanded globally. Non-Chinese sellers can register on AliExpress, and some sellers maintain international warehouses. It’s not uncommon to find a product with a “Ship from” option for the United States, Europe, or other regions. For example, a phone case might have choices to ship from China or from a US warehouse. If you select “Ship from United States,” the item will dispatch domestically for US customers, reducing delivery time.

For e-commerce owners, the key point is: assume most AliExpress items will ship out of China unless explicitly proven otherwise. If a fast local shipment is critical, look for listings that clearly indicate a local warehouse and have reviews confirming quick local delivery. AliExpress’s filtering by “Ship from” country can help find domestic shippers, but always vet the seller reliability.

3. How Long Deos AliExpress Take to Ship?

How long does AliExpress take to ship? The shipping time on AliExpress varies wildly based on the method you choose and the destination. It can be anywhere from under a week to over two months. Here are typical delivery timeframes:

AliExpress Standard Shipping

AliExpress standard shipping is about 15–45 days to most countries. Commonly, you’ll see ~2-4 weeks for North America or Europe, but it could extend to 6+ weeks for remote regions. (Recent analyses show actual delivery to the US often around 10–20 days.)

AliExpress Premium Shipping

AliExpress premium shipping typically takes 7–15 days in many cases. It uses faster couriers, so two weeks or less is expected.

ePacket (China Post EMS)

It takes roughly 10–20 days to the US, and 1–3 weeks to Europe on average. It’s faster than regular mail due to special air mail arrangements.

Cainiao Super Economy

This method will normally take 30–50 days (or up to 6-8 weeks). Sometimes packages arrive sooner, but one should expect a long wait. (No tracking beyond China in many cases.)

China Post Registered Airmail

20–60 days depending on country. Registered airmail has tracking and tends to be a bit faster than unregistered small packets.

Express Couriers (DHL/UPS/FedEx)

3–10 days worldwide. Private courier shipping from AliExpress can actually rival Amazon Prime times if customs is smooth – but at a high cost.


It’s important to note that sellers also have processing time. After you pay for an order, the seller might take 2–7 days (or up to 10 days) to pack and hand it to the carrier. The quoted shipping times (like 15–30 days) usually start counting after dispatch. So if a seller uses all 7 days of handling time, your total wait is that + transit time.

4. Why Is AliExpress So Cheap?

AliExpress is cheap by design. The platform connects global buyers directly with Chinese manufacturers and exporters, leveraging China’s cost advantages and logistics network. For business owners, it means you have access to incredibly low-cost inventory. The trade-off is you must manage longer shipping times and carefully vet quality. But when leveraged well (e.g. sourcing inexpensive products that still satisfy customers), AliExpress can significantly boost your profit margins.

5. How to Track Your AliExpress Order?

Once you’ve placed an order, the waiting game begins – but thankfully you can monitor the journey. Tracking an AliExpress order is usually straightforward:

Get the Tracking Number

After the seller ships your item, a tracking number will be generated. You can find this in your AliExpress account under My Orders -> Order Details. It’s typically a long alphanumeric code (e.g. LN123456789CN for China Post, or starting with YT for Yanwen, etc.). Remember that the order number and tracking number are different; you need the tracking number.

Use the AliExpress Tracking Page

AliExpress itself provides tracking updates. Click “Track Order” on the order page, and it will show the latest status. This is powered by Cainiao’s tracking system and will display statuses like “Shipment accepted by airline” or “Delivered”. The AliExpress mobile app also has a built-in tracker – just tap on your order and refresh the tracking info.

Track via Global Tracking Sites

Sometimes the AliExpress site’s tracking isn’t detailed enough or stops updating. You can paste your tracking number into third-party tracking services for more info. Good options include 17track.net and parcelsapp.com, which aggregate data from many couriers. These sites often auto-detect the carrier and give you every checkpoint scan available. Additionally, once the package reaches your country, you can use your local postal service’s website (e.g., USPS, Canada Post, Royal Mail) with the same tracking number. Often, the tracking number is recognized by your national postal system when the parcel is handed off for final delivery.

Be Patient with Updates

It’s normal for AliExpress tracking to show no movement for days or weeks, especially while the item is en route by sea or air. For example, you might see “Departure from outward office of exchange” (left the origin country) and then nothing for 10–20 days until “Arrived at destination country”. This is common. If the tracking hasn’t updated in over a month, you may want to contact the seller or check if the protection period is running out.

6. What Are the Stages of AliExpress Shipping?

When you track an AliExpress package, you’ll notice it goes through several stages from order to delivery. Understanding these stages helps demystify the shipping process (and helps you explain shipping delays to customers). Here’s a breakdown of the typical AliExpress shipping journey:

- Order Processing: It is the period after you pay but before the item is shipped. The seller is preparing your order – sourcing the product, doing quality checks, and packing it. AliExpress usually gives sellers up to 7-10 days to dispatch the item (this time frame is shown on the product page). If the seller fails to ship in that time, the order is canceled and you get a refund. Once the seller ships, you’ll see a tracking number and the status may change to “Order Shipped” or “Awaiting Delivery.”

- Departure from Origin: The seller hands the package to a carrier. It first goes to a local sorting center, then to a departure hub (often a major airport or international mail facility in China). Here, export customs will inspect the package and clear it for export. Tracking statuses you might see: “Accepted by carrier,” “Parcel left the carrier facility,” “Export Customs Cleared,” etc. After clearance, the package leaves China. You may see “Departure from country of origin” or similar

- International Transit: Now the parcel is in transit between countries. It could travel by air, sea, or even rail. Sometimes packages go through transit hubs in other countries (e.g., a package to South America might go via Spain, or via a Middle East hub). During this stage, tracking might show a generic “In Transit” or “Flight departed” message. Large shipping consolidators will often use the term “Line-haul” for this stage – it means the long-haul leg of the journey. This is also when there might be a long silence in tracking updates, especially if the package is on a cargo ship or waiting in queue for a flight.

- Arrival at Destination & Customs: Next, the package arrives in the destination country (or a regional hub). Import customs will process it. You might see “Arrived at destination country” or a more specific “Arrived at customs of destination”. If there are duties to be paid or paperwork needed, the tracking could show “Customs clearance in progress”. Assuming all is well (no prohibited items, and any import taxes are handled), the parcel is cleared. If AliExpress charged you VAT/GST at checkout (for example, for EU countries), the customs clearance is usually automatic with no action needed by the buyer. If not, the carrier or postal service may request the recipient to pay fees before delivery.

- Last-Mile Delivery: After customs, the package is handed to a local delivery service – often your national postal service or a local courier. Now it’s essentially a regular domestic package. Tracking will show updates like “Item arrived at sorting center [Your City]” then “Out for delivery”. Finally, the status becomes “Delivered” when your customer receives the item. AliExpress’s system may require the buyer to confirm delivery, or it will auto-confirm after a certain time. (Orders are usually auto-confirmed complete after ~60 days from shipment if no dispute is opened.)

7. Does AliExpress Use China Post?

Yes, China Post is heavily used in AliExpress shipping. In fact, for many years, the default “AliExpress Standard Shipping” option would often rely on China Post or its ePacket service in the background.

8. Does AliExpress Ship Everything Together?

If a buyer orders multiple items, will they ship together or separately? The answer depends on whether the items are from the same seller and if AliExpress’s Combined Delivery applies.

Traditionally, each AliExpress seller ships their items independently. If you order 5 products from 5 different sellers, you will receive 5 separate packages (each seller sends their own package from their location). Even if you order 5 items from one seller, they usually combine into one parcel, but there are exceptions (for example, if one item is pre-order and ships later).

9. AliExpress vs TEMU vs Shein vs GOAT

How does AliExpress shipping stack up against some popular e-commerce competitors like Temu, Shein, and GOAT? Each platform has its own shipping model and target audience, which affects speed and cost. Below is a quick comparison:

Platform	Typical Standard Shipping Time	Expedited Shipping Option	Shipping Cost Policy
AliExpress	15–45 days (varies widely by seller and method). In many cases ~2–3 weeks is common.	Yes – Premium Shipping 7–15 days via couriers. DHL/FedEx ~1 week for high fees.	Many items have free or low-cost shipping (seller-subsidized). Shipping cost depends on the method chosen. Often free for economy post.
Temu	7–15 days standard delivery (Temu tends to ship faster than AliExpress).	Yes – Expedited 5–10 days for some orders. Temu's model emphasizes quick handling.	Free standard shipping on most orders. (Promotions often allow free shipping with a low minimum order.) Expedited may incur a fee (sometimes free over a high $$ threshold).
Shein	~2–3 weeks (10–20 days) for standard shipping to the US/EU. Fairly reliable timelines.	Yes – Express shipping ~7–10 days in many regions (for an extra cost).	Free shipping over a certain amount (e.g. free over $49) otherwise a flat fee (~$3–$4). Shein often runs free shipping promos.
GOAT	~7–10 days delivery for standard purchases (sneakers) within the US. Includes time for authentication. International orders can take 1–3 weeks.	Yes – Instant shipping on select items (3–5 days) if GOAT has the item in a nearby facility.	Paid shipping only. Typically around $10–$25 for U.S. orders. No free shipping since GOAT items are high-value (sneakers) and shipped via couriers.

10. Conclusion

AliExpress can be a powerful ally for e-commerce entrepreneurs, enabling you to source products cheaply and offer a huge variety to your customers. However, success with AliExpress depends on mastering its shipping process. As we’ve covered, you should know the difference between AliExpress Standard and Premium Shipping, be aware of where orders ship from, and set the right delivery expectations. While AliExpress shipping can be slow compared to some competitors, its global reach and cost advantages are hard to beat.

11. FAQs

Q1: Does AliExpress offer free shipping?

A: Yes – many AliExpress listings include free shipping (usually via the cheapest mail service).

Q2: How can I make AliExpress shipping faster?

A: Choose a faster shipping method at checkout. Opt for AliExpress Premium Shipping or commercial couriers (DHL, FedEx) if available for that item.

Q3: Do I have to pay customs duties on AliExpress orders?

A: It depends on your country’s import laws. AliExpress orders are international shipments, so they can incur VAT/GST or customs duties if the value is above your country’s de minimis threshold.

Q4: What if my AliExpress order never arrives?

A: AliExpress has a Buyer Protection guarantee. If your order doesn’t arrive within the promised protection period (often 60 or 90 days), you can open a dispute for a full refund.

Q5: Is AliExpress Standard Shipping trackable?

A: Yes, AliExpress Standard Shipping comes with a tracking number that you can monitor.