Dropshipping with AliExpress: What You Need to Know

Dropshipping has been a buzzword around for many years, describing a business model which consists of having an online store, without owning a stock of products. It reflects the dream of building a business with minimal upfront investment while reaching customers worldwide.

AliExpress dropshipping is often considered as the best way to start an online eCommerce business, but have you understood AliExpress dropshipping, or only glimpsed its potential?

This AliExpress dropshipping guide will help you answer the question and more. We provide you with a better understanding of the ins and outs of this business model and give you the keys to success, showing how dropshipping with AliExpress can become the foundation of your business journey.

What is AliExpress?

AliExpress is a large online marketplace with more than 100 million products, making it a key destination for buyers looking for a vast selection of items. Founded in 2010, it is part of the Alibaba Group, a leading ecommerce company based in China.

The platform hosts an incredible variety of products, ranging from electronics and fashion items to home decor and beauty supplies. What sets AliExpress apart from traditional wholesale platforms is its buyer-friendly approach. Unlike other platforms, which typically require bulk purchases and cater to large-scale businesses, AliExpress allows anyone to purchase products in single quantities without minimum order requirements. This flexibility has made it an attractive option for individual shoppers and small business owners alike.

Thanks to competitive prices, stable quality, and no large purchase requirements, AliExpress is an ideal choice for consumers and dropshipping models.

Does AliExpress Allow Dropshipping?

Yes, AliExpress not only allows dropshipping but has evolved into one of the most popular platforms for this business model. It now stands as a trusted hub where opportunity meets convenience, making dropshipping more accessible than ever.

Sellers on AliExpress are accustomed to working with dropshippers, and many even tailor their services to support this arrangement. This seamless collaboration between suppliers and sellers creates an ecosystem that empowers newcomers to grow with confidence.

For example, suppliers often provide neutral packaging, bulk discounts, and fast shipping options to accommodate dropshipping businesses.

The process is relatively simple: you set up an online store, find products to sell, and list them on your website. This straightforward flow allows you to focus on marketing and customer experience rather than logistics. When a customer makes a purchase, you forward the order to your supplier, who handles the rest. You earn a profit by selling the product for more than you paid the supplier. 

However, success requires choosing the right suppliers and maintaining clear communication. Not every seller operates with the same efficiency or reliability, so thorough research before partnering becomes crucial for your business's long-term success.

Advantages and Disadvantages of AliExpress Dropshipping

Dropshipping with AliExpress, just like with any platform, has many benefits but also has certain limitations.

Advantages of AliExpress Dropshipping

One of the biggest appeals of dropshipping with AliExpress lies in the wide range of benefits it offers to new and experienced sellers alike.

• Low startup costs: AliExpress dropshipping doesn't require much money. After you create an online store, you can integrate it with AliExpress to start dropshipping. The only cost you'll incur is the fee for the app that connects your store with AliExpress.

• Huge source of goods, diverse product lines: AliExpress offers hundreds of millions of products with all kinds of designs, from fashion, cosmetics, to household goods, electronics, ... suitable for all customer segments.

• Diverse suppliers: AliExpress gives you access to a wide range of suppliers, including those with warehouses in the US and EU. This enables you to save on shipping costs by partnering with suppliers located closer to your customers.

• Flexible profits, extremely low original prices: AliExpress products often come with very low base costs, allowing you to find items that fit within your budget. You have the right to set your own selling price and optimize profits thanks to very competitive wholesale prices from suppliers.

• Support for building your own brand: Some suppliers are willing to customize packaging, logos, thank you cards, discount codes... according to your requirements.

Disadvantages of AliExpress Dropshipping

Despite its popularity, dropshipping with AliExpress also comes with certain challenges that every store owner should carefully consider.

• Slow delivery time: Standard shipping from China can take weeks, which may frustrate customers accustomed to faster delivery.

• High competition: AliExpress attracts a large number of dropshippers worldwide, requiring you to have a sharp marketing strategy and a different product to stand out.

• Uneven product quality: Not all suppliers guarantee quality. You need to carefully check reviews, real images and choose reputable partners to avoid risks.

• Cannot merge multi-supplier purchases: If a customer orders multiple items from different suppliers, they will receive the goods multiple times, which affects the shopping experience and can easily cause complaints.

Best Practices When Dropshipping with AliExpress

Success in dropshipping with AliExpress doesn't happen through luck or chance, it emerges from following proven practices that experienced sellers have refined over years of trial and error. 

Now, let’s explore the best practices that play a vital role in building a sustainable and profitable dropshipping business.

• Focus on niche markets: Successful dropshippers often target specific niches rather than selling generic items, since niche markets usually have lower competition and stronger customer loyalty.

• Choose reliable suppliers: Sellers who maintain high ratings, positive reviews, and a consistent record of fulfillment help reduce the risk of delays or poor-quality products.

• Provide clear shipping information: When you communicate delivery times transparently, customers are less likely to misunderstand or complain. Many dropshippers display estimated shipping ranges directly on product pages.

• Test products before selling: Ordering samples allows you to check product quality, packaging, and shipping speed, ensuring that customers receive items that meet expectations.

• Automation your operations: Tools like Fiidom AI Dropship simplify product imports, set up selling price and streamline order fulfillment, which saves time and reduces errors.

• Prioritize customer service: Even though suppliers handle shipping, dropshippers should respond quickly to inquiries, process refunds when necessary, and maintain professionalism.

>> Read more:

• New Year 2026: AI Predicts The First 10 Trending Niches To Target
• A Practical Guide to Reliable Supplier Selection in Dropshipping
• New Year 2026 Content Marketing: Launch Campaigns That Spark Engagement

Fiidom AI Dropship: Your Complete All-in-one Solution for AliExpress Dropshipping Success

If you want the simplest possible way to start dropshipping, especially if you’re brand new, Fiidom AI Dropship is one of the most beginner-friendly solutions. It simplifies every aspect of dropshipping with AliExpress, empowering entrepreneurs to scale their businesses efficiently.

Fiidom AI Dropship leverages AIto streamline product research, helping you identify trending items and profitable opportunities before they become oversaturated. With intelligent insights, you can stay ahead of the curve and build a store that resonates with customer demand.

You can import these items to your store quickly, place bulk orders effortlessly, and let the system automatically sync order numbers while tracking performance metrics that matter. This seamless automation transforms complex operations into manageable tasks, giving you greater control over growth and enabling you to dedicate more energy to marketing strategies and customer engagement.

These features reduce human error by automating repetitive processes, ensuring smoother operations from start to finish. And with that, you can dedicate more energy to marketing strategies and building stronger customer relationships.

Install Fiidom

Conclusion

Dropshipping with AliExpress is one of the most accessible ways to enter the world of eCommerce. As you embark on your dropshipping journey, you should remember that every business starts with a single step. Each decision you make, no matter how small, brings you closer to building a thriving online store.

The knowledge and strategies outlined in this guide provide you with a roadmap, but your unique execution, creativity, and persistence will ultimately determine your success.

Ultimately, success in dropshipping with AliExpress depends on balancing opportunity with strategy. Those who treat it as a serious business, rather than a quick experiment, are far more likely to achieve long-term growth and profitability.

FAQs

Is dropshipping with AliExpress still profitable in 2026?  

Yes, it remains profitable, but success depends on choosing the right niche, reliable suppliers, and offering excellent customer service. Competition is high, so differentiation is key.

Will customers know products come from AliExpress?

AliExpress packages are usually shipped without promotional materials or invoices. But to be safe, you should contact suppliers before placing orders and request that they exclude these materials.

How do I handle long shipping times when dropshipping with AliExpress?

You can handle long shipping times by being transparent with your customers from the start. Setting clear expectations helps build trust and reduces the chances of complaints or refund requests.

You should clearly state delivery timeframes of 15-25 business days in your product descriptions, checkout page, and FAQ section. This way, customers know exactly what to expect before placing an order.

It's important that you send proactive order updates at each shipping stage to keep customers informed about their purchase status.