When you order something from AliExpress, you usually get it within two or three weeks. But sometimes, it takes over a month to receive your items.
This means that the shipping times can vary greatly, and it's important to know what to expect.
In this article, we'll go over everything you should know about shipping times on AliExpress. We're going to share our top tips for finding out when shipments will arrive and how to ensure that you get your items shipped as quickly as possible.
Let's dive right in!
How long do AliExpress orders take to deliver?
Let's start with the basics; how long does AliExpress take to ship the order?
The delivery time of an AliExpress item is around 15 to 30 days. However, there are some exceptions. For example, if you place an order during the holidays, then the shipping times may be extended.
Additionally, some products may be out of stock or experience other unforeseen circumstances. That said, most orders arrive within two to three weeks.
How long does AliExpress take to ship?
Besides the total delivery time, you should also consider the time it takes for the AliExpress supplier to process and ship your order.
The processing time is the time it takes for the seller to prepare your order for shipping. This usually takes one to five days, but it can sometimes take longer for customized items.
After the seller ships your order, it will take some time for the package to reach the shipping company and be sorted. The estimated time for this is around five to ten days.
How do you track an AliExpress package?
You can easily keep track of AliExpress orders by using package tracking.
However, if you want to get a tracking code for your purchases, you need to choose a shipping method that includes an online tracking system.
To track orders on AliExpress, you first need to log into your AliExpress profile by going to ‘My AliExpress' and then clicking on ‘My Orders.'
Once logged in, click on the Order Number and select ‘Track Package.' The tracking number will appear on the screen.
You'll receive two email notifications when your order has been shipped and when your order has arrived. Copy the tracking number and paste it into a tracking site.
You can also view order status updates on the ‘My Orders' page:
Once an item is processed, the system will generate a unique tracking number for the package.
You can then check the status of your shipment by using this number. The system will keep you updated via email as the package moves through the shipping process.
Related article: Do you have a Shopify store? Learn how to create a track your order page here!
AliExpress Standard Shipping
If you choose AliExpress Standard Shipping, then you can expect to receive your package in about 12 to 20 business days.
The estimated shipping time is based on the delivery location and when you placed your order.
AliExpress Premium Shipping
AliExpress Premium Shipping is a shipping option that is available on some AliExpress product pages. It's faster, more reliable, and more expensive compared to AliExpress Standard Shipping.
Premium Shipping is available for orders shipped to certain countries. Just check the shipping information on the product page to see if an item you're interested in is eligible for premium shipping.
If an item you're interested in does not have the premium shipping option available, it may still be possible to get it shipped faster using other shipping methods that we're going to discuss next.
Which AliExpress shipping method is best?
Free shipping is usually slower than paying for expedited shipping, but it’s free, so if your order is small enough, it might be worth it.
If you're ordering multiple items from different sellers, you should consider buying all of them together as one big order instead of placing separate orders.
There are several ways to ship goods internationally, including:
- Ground
- Airmail
- Via sea
Each option has pros and cons, and some methods are better suited for certain types of shipments. For example, airmail is great for sending smaller packages, while the ground is ideal for larger ones.
So, which method would you use?
If you want to send something quickly, go for expedited shipping via airmail. Otherwise, stick with standard shipping, which is cheaper even though it takes a bit of extra time.
2 Options to get faster shipping on AliExpress
Now that we've gone over the different shipping options available on AliExpress let's talk about how you can find items that ship quickly.
The easiest way to do this is by using the AliExpress website's search filter.
Once you've found an item that you're interested in, simply click on the shipping tab and select AliExpress standard shipping or ePacket.
On the other hand, the cheapest way to ship internationally is via sea, but this alternative is very slow and is only worth it for large shipments.
There are many ways to speed up the process of shipping your packages internationally. Here are two of the best ones:
1. Contact your supplier
If you don't know what shipping method to use, try contacting the seller first. They might be able to tell you which method is most suitable for your location.
The shipping methods shown above only indicate the approximate delivery times. In reality, these times may vary depending on factors such as the destination country, customs clearance, and procedures.
In some cases, you'll be better off waiting for the seller to respond before deciding whether or not to proceed with the transaction since they may have additional information regarding the estimated delivery time.
For example, if you're dropshipping, you'll probably want to wait until the seller responds before proceeding with the ordering. You will only get angry customers if the product doesn't arrive on time.
2. Try to get your supplier to use a faster shipping method
If you're reselling products, make sure to talk to your supplier about shipping times. You can try to negotiate with them and see if they can use a faster shipping method. This way, you can get your products to your customers sooner.
Oftentimes they are more than willing to accommodate your request since it means more chances to do feature business together.
That said, ask them if they use shipping companies like YunExpress, 4PX, DHL, or GLS.
Let us give you some insights about the most popular shipping company among AliExpress sellers:
YunExpress is a Chinese shipping company that has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the high demand for fast shipping from China.
They offer shipping services to over 200 countries around the world, with an approximate shipping time of seven to 15 days.
Also, you can use their website to track your order and find out exactly how long it will take to reach its destination.
4PX is a Chinese express delivery company with a focus on ecommerce. It was founded in 2004 and is now one of the largest shipping companies in China.
Their headquarters are located in China, but they also have warehouses in other countries, such as:
- US
- UK
- Australia
- HongKong
The shipping times for 4PX packages depend on their destination, sizes, weights, and also how they're handled when arriving at their destinations, however, their average shipping time is of 12 to 25 days.
If 4PX doesn't suit your needs, try DHL, it is an excellent shipping company that will get your product to its destination quickly, but it may not be the best choice for you if you are working with a tight budget, so keep this in mind.
DHL Express offers a wide range of shipping options, ranging from standard international mail to expedited shipping.
Their average shipping time is approximately two to eight days for domestic shipping within the US and Europe, while it's three to 14 days for international shipments.
Depending on the location where you live, GLS is another shipping provider that has partnered with AliExpress. They also offer different shipping methods, depending on your needs.
They provide a variety of different shipping methods, such as airmail, sea freight, and courier. The average international shipping time is three to eight days.
In short, there are many ways to ship your goods internationally. As we mentioned earlier, if you are an individual with a low volume of orders, it is probably best to use standard shipping.
For businesses with a high volume of orders, it might be more beneficial to partner with a shipping company with multiple warehouses worldwide, such as 4PX.
The most important thing is communicating with your supplier and letting them know your shipping needs. This way, you can figure out the best solution for getting your goods to your customers in a timely manner.
How to sort by shipping country on AliExpress
You can sort products by shipping country on AliExpress. To do this, type your query in the search bar.
Then select the option ‘Ship from,' and you'll be able to see the countries that are available for shipping.
If your item can't be shipped to your country, you can still reach out to the seller via the contact chat and ask them if they would be willing to negotiate a deal.
While sorting by country is a great feature, the free shipping, best match, and fast delivery are great to add on if you want to save some money.
The ‘shipping from' option is useful when looking for items that can be shipped to a certain country. For example, if you're looking for a new phone charger, you might want to check if there are any sellers who ship to your country or to your friend's country.
For more information about this feature, check out our other article here!
Why does AliExpress take so long to ship?
AliExpress is one of the world’s largest online marketplaces. But what about those products you buy in AliExpress? Why does it take weeks and sometimes months for your products to arrive?
There are many reasons why shipments take so long. The main reason is that AliExpress sellers have thousands of warehouses all across China. They ship products directly from these warehouses, often to an international destination, meaning that the shipping times can be quite long.
The delivery process can take anywhere between one week and several months. It depends on the warehouse location, the size of the shipment, the shipping method, and other factors.
1. Chinese New Year
One of the reasons your product might take a while to arrive is because of the Chinese New Year. This is a national holiday in China, and it can last up to two weeks.
During this time, many factories and warehouses are closed, which means that shipments can't be sent out, or at the very least, there will be a significant delay.
2. Type of shipment
The type of shipment you're going to choose will greatly impact the time you'll have to wait to receive the order. For example, if you choose to ship your item via sea, it will take weeks or even months before you receive the order.
Even if there are no harsh weather conditions, it's slow. The real reason is that vessels move much slower than airplanes.
3. Seller delays
The product might be out of stock when you place your order. If this happens, the seller may need extra time to prepare the item.
For example, sellers may have to wait for the manufacturer to produce the product before they can ship it. Or, they may have to wait for the supplier to deliver the materials needed to make the product.
While this is generally not a big deal if you are ordering one item, it could cause severe business damage if you are a reseller.
4. Customs
Customs inspections are another reason for shipment delays.
When you ship something from one country to another, customs officials may inspect the package to ensure that it contains no contraband. These inspections can take days or even months.
How to deal with long shipping times
If you're reselling products on AliExpress, long shipping times can be a big problem.
You might need to refund your customers if the product doesn't arrive on time, which will damage your business reputation.
This isn't unusual since people don't like to wait around for things to arrive. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of delays:
1. Check the processing time
Before ordering any product, make sure to check how long the processing time will take. This way, you can manage your expectations and plan ahead.
So, the first step is to check the delivery processing time for the product you're interested in. This information is available on the ‘my orders' page:
The processing times can vary from product to product, but on average, it's between one to five days, but sometimes it could be up to seven days. The lower the number of days spent processing, the better because that time is included in the shipping time.
Now, if you want to go even further, ask the seller what kind of shipping method they use. Some sellers offer different shipping methods depending on the cost. For example, some sellers use DHL Express while others use EMS.
2. Dropship from the country you're selling in
If you're selling products to customers in the US, it might be a good idea to find a dropshipper who can ship the items from the US. This way, you can avoid any potential delays caused by customs inspections.
You can use suppliers from any country for dropshipping, not just China!
If you still want to use AliExpress for this, simply sort the search results by the country of your choice.
3. Contact the seller
You can contact the seller if you're still unsure about what's going on with your package.
They might be able to give you more information about the status of your order.
4. Check the seller's feedback rating
The seller's feedback rating can give you an idea of their reliability. If they have a high rating, it's likely that they're a reputable seller who will ship your order on time.
When checking the seller rating score, you should aim to order products with a minimum of 95% positive feedback.
For more information about finding the right suppliers, check out check article here!
5. Choose AliExpress Premium Shipping
AliExpress offers premium shipping options for international customers if you are looking for fast delivery. It is a great solution because it is cheaper than a private courier.
You'll receive your package within 14 days if you choose AliExpress Premium Shipping.
Premium shipping is not always available by default, so you'll sometimes need to dig deeper if it's not available for your product.
Tip: Oftentimes, you'll find the same products with fast shipping options. Keep an eye out for these.
Summary
Before we go to the final verdict, we've created a quick summary of this article for you, so you can easily remember it:
- Unexpected long shipping times could cause a loss of returning customers.
- Always check the delivery processing time and what kind of shipping method is being used to deliver the product.
- Before ordering any product, ensure to check the seller's quality rating to increase the chances of receiving your order on time.
- If you're ordering in bulk, try to negotiate a better deal with the seller, which could include a faster shipping method.
Conclusion
Shipping times vary based on many factors. The most important factor is the type of shipping method used. Other factors include the size of the item, where it was purchased, and the seller's reputation.
As you can see, there are several things to consider when choosing a shipping method. In general, you shouldn't expect to receive your order in less than two weeks.
If you need it sooner, you should use a private carrier or contact the seller to see if they can ship it faster.
Interested in learning more about AliExpress dropshipping? Check out our complete AliExpress dropshipping guide here!
And you can learn more about the best shipping methods for dropshipping in this article.
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