Shipping is the most common concern for first-time AliExpress shoppers. How long will it take? Can I track my order? What if it does not arrive? This guide answers all of these questions based on our experience with hundreds of AliExpress orders shipped to the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and European Union countries.
This is our recommended option for most orders. It typically delivers in 7-15 business days to the US and 10-20 business days to Europe. Full tracking is included from warehouse pickup to final delivery. The cost is usually free or $1-3 for items under $5. This method uses a combination of China Post, Cainiao (Alibaba's logistics network), and local postal services for final-mile delivery.
The budget option that takes 15-45 business days. Tracking is limited — you will see the package leave China, but tracking often disappears during transit and only reappears when it enters your country's postal system. For items under $5, this is acceptable if you are not in a hurry. For anything more expensive, we recommend Standard Shipping for the tracking visibility alone.
ePacket was once the go-to budget shipping method but has become less common as AliExpress Standard Shipping has improved. When available, it delivers in 10-20 business days with full tracking. It is a good option when offered, but do not specifically seek it out over AliExpress Standard.
For time-sensitive orders, express carriers deliver in 3-7 business days with excellent tracking. The cost is significantly higher — typically $15-30 per order — which makes sense only for higher-value items or urgent needs. Some sellers offer free premium shipping during sales events.
Many sellers now stock popular items in warehouses in the US, Europe, and other regions. These orders ship domestically and arrive in 3-7 business days, with no customs processing needed. Look for "Ships from United States" (or your country) in the product listing. This is the fastest and most hassle-free option when available.
AliExpress provides tracking within the app and website. For more detailed tracking, we recommend using a third-party tracking site like 17track.net or parcelsapp.com, which aggregate tracking data from multiple carriers and provide more granular status updates. Enter your AliExpress tracking number on these sites to see the full journey of your package.
Common tracking statuses and what they mean:
If your order has not arrived by the estimated delivery date, do not panic immediately — delays of 3-5 days are common, especially during busy shopping seasons. If the buyer protection period is approaching its end and the item still has not arrived, open a dispute through AliExpress requesting a full refund. The platform will mediate between you and the seller, and in our experience, refunds for non-delivery are processed within 7-10 business days.
Important: Never let the buyer protection period expire without taking action. Once it expires, you lose the ability to open a dispute and request a refund. If your item is still in transit as the protection period approaches, request an extension or open a dispute.
During major sales events (11.11, Black Friday, Summer Sale), shipping times can increase by 5-10 days due to the massive volume of orders being processed. If you are shopping during a sale event, order early, choose faster shipping methods when available, and set expectations accordingly. The deals during these events can be excellent, but patience with shipping is required.
For related information, see our guides on buyer protection and customs and import duties.