AliExpress Dropshipping Guide – How To Do It In 2024?

If you are interested in dropshipping with AliExpress, I’ve got you covered!

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “dropshipping” or “e-commerce”? If you are like most people, you are likely to think of AliExpress and what the company does.

And this is perfectly understandable, considering the fact that dropshipping with AliExpress is a popular activity nowadays and the stats about AliExpress are proving it.

Want to take part in that activity? No worries – I have decided to provide some useful tips and tricks to help you get started with AliExpress dropshipping.

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What is AliExpress?

AliExpress is an e-commerce marketplace based in China. A subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, AliExpress serves buyers from all over the world.

Learn more about Dropshipping with Alibaba. 

Since its inception in 2010, it has become one of the largest online marketplaces in the world. It is available in more than 200 countries and regions worldwide.

Simply put, it is an e-commerce retail giant with more than 100 million products available for sale. And it allows retailers to sell anything from clothing and cosmetics to electronics and furniture products.

Most of the online merchants on AliExpress are from China and its neighboring countries. Nevertheless, it has opened its marketplace to welcome non-Chinese sellers.

This enables Western sellers to sell products directly to customers worldwide through the massive online marketplace.

IDEA: Want to Dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay? I got you.

And perhaps the best thing about this online marketplace is that it supports the dropshipping business model.

This means that with AliExpress dropshipping, you can find products to sell online without having to worry about inventory or shipping.

You can learn how to start a dropshipping business here. Or, you can join the best dropshipping forums and learn from real dropshippers.

Now, let’s take a deep dive into the world of AliExpress dropshipping.

💡  Tip: Discover the 17 Best Multi Vendor Marketplace Platforms For Ecommerce.

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How Does AliExpress Dropshipping Work?

Dropshipping with AliExpress is just as simple as the traditional dropshipping business model. Here is how it works:

• You add the items you want to sell from AliExpress to your online store.
• You set your own prices with markups, of course.
• When a customer decides to buy something from your store, you place the order with the AliExpress supplier/seller.
• The supplier/seller ships the order directly to your customer.
• Your customer pays the retail price you set, you pay the supplier/seller’s wholesale price, and the rest is profit.

💡 Tip: Discover the 9 Reasons About Why Is AliExpress So Cheap [Truth Revealed]

👉 Discover the 20+ AliExpress Best Sellers For Dropshipping In 2024

Dropshipping With AliExpress – Pros and Cons

It is unrealistic to expect AliExpress dropshipping to be perfect because nothing is perfect in this world. The truth is, that dropshipping with AliExpress has its own pros and cons.

And you will need to decide whether it is the right path for you.

To make sure you know what you are getting into, consider the advantages and disadvantages listed below:

Pros:

✅ Versatility

Again, the site has a database of 100 million products, which means that you will surely find the item you are looking for.

Plus, you can find products across many categories, including clothing for men, women, and kids; home & garden; jewelry & accessories; computer & office; consumer electronics; sports & entertainment; beauty & health; and many more.

✅ Higher profit margins

AliExpress is considered to be a reliable place to source products at much lower prices than you would domestically.

Believe it or not, the site bombards its buyers with exceptional low-price offers. This allows for higher profit margins.

✅ No minimum order quantity requirements

Many dropshipping suppliers have MOQ, i.e., minimum order quantity requirements, in order to fulfill and ship an order.

However, AliExpress suppliers/sellers provide products at wholesale prices to dropshippers, with no minimum order requirements. In short, as a dropshipper, you can order one product from an AliExpress supplier/seller and have it shipped directly to your customer.

👉 Read my comparison of Temu vs AliExpress: Which One Is Better For Dropshipping?

Cons:

❌ Longer shipping times

One of the major downsides of AliExpress dropshipping is the long delivery time. To clarify, the average AliExpress shipping time for standard packages is 15-45 days.

But ePacket shipping to the United States and many other countries takes about 15 days. ePacket shipping lets your customers receive their orders in a reasonable period.

Also, it allows them to track their orders in real-time during the wait.

❌ Higher competition

As I have mentioned, AliExpress is available in many countries worldwide. This makes it accessible to many dropshippers. Therefore, as a new dropshipper, you will likely face a lot of competitors.

So, you might wonder, “Why would someone buy from your dropshipping store when they can purchase the same items on AliExpress?”

Remember, you cannot build a strong customer base just by selling your AliExpress products at very low prices.

Your AliExpress dropshipping business will succeed only if you reach and serve your customers better and faster than your competitors. You can achieve this with a great marketing strategy and excellent customer service.

If you decide to start your AliExpress dropshipping business, I will teach you how to do it the right way. Just keep reading!

👉 Read about Shein Dropshipping: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fashion E-commerce.

How To Start Dropshipping With AliExpress?

Starting an AliExpress dropshipping business is not a difficult process if done right. Here is how to do it the right way:

1. Create AliExpress Account

To get started, you have to sign up. When you visit the AliExpress website, look for the “Account” button in the top right corner. Click on it, and then select “Register.”👇

If you want to speed things up, they give you the option to create an account using your existing social media accounts.

2. Build Your Store

There are multiple ways to start dropshipping with AliExpress. Thankfully, some major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce have full integration with AliExpress product import apps. These apps automate the order fulfillment process.

For example, you can create your dropshipping store using an e-commerce platform like Shopify. Then, you can install an app like AutoDS to be able to import products from AliExpress into your Shopify store.

Like I mentioned before, Shopify has a simple interface and gives you lots of cool themes for your dropshipping store, some are free and some you gotta pay for. Plus, it has a bunch of things you can customize.

With Shopify, you can easily make and change your store using their drag-and-drop editor.

Also, Shopify works well with different dropshipping apps. That means your business can run on autopilot with everything in the supply chain.

Next, before importing AliExpress products into your store, you need to choose what you want to sell and find reliable suppliers. Alright, I will discuss this topic further in the next paragraph.

3. Choose What To Sell And Find Reliable AliExpress Suppliers

Choosing which AliExpress products to sell is crucial to your business’ success. But chances are that you do not know where to start, notably if you are new to dropshipping. Do not worry – I can help you with this!

First, you can find hot niche markets and come up with brilliant product ideas by visiting the best-selling page on AliExpress. This helps you find AliExpress best sellers in different categories.

Second, you can choose what to sell by using AliExpress product research tools like AliExpress Dropshipping Center and AliShark. Or, you can use tools like  Minea, AutoDS, or Adserea.

Additionally, they are very useful tools. And they can help you find a profitable dropshipping niche, analyze hot-selling products, and easily look for suppliers.

Furthermore, you must make sure your suppliers are reliable. Thus, to make things easier for you, the AliExpress Chrome extensions can simplify your tasks.

UpAssistant does a thorough job when it comes to evaluating seller ratings. It looks at more than just customer feedback.

It also considers factors like how long the seller has been on AliExpress and how well they communicate with buyers. So, this tool gives you a more accurate and complete rating that you can trust when you’re deciding what to buy.

For example, let’s say you’re researching dropshipping fitness products, like yoga mats.

Once you’ve added Up Assistant, you’ll see a number rating on each product thumbnail, showing the seller’s rating.👇

Also, here’s my approach. 👇

After experimenting with Dropshipping Copilot, I discovered it’s like having a dedicated assistant for your dropshipping business.

This AI-driven tool transforms the way you manage your store by providing precise data insights, efficient supplier sourcing, and intelligent product selection. Partnered with AliExpress and powered by ChatGPT-4, it excels in handling dropshipping operations across the US, EU, and Brazil.

The standout features, such as seamless background and watermark removal, smart title optimization, and real-time inventory updates, significantly streamline your processes, making your dropshipping journey smoother and more profitable.

Tips On How To Choose Reliable Dropshipping Products & Suppliers

Once you have a profitable niche in mind, consider these few things when selecting dropshipping products and suppliers:

🔸 Do not always opt for the cheapest products

Opting for the cheapest items may seem like the best choice. However, bear in mind that just because you choose a product with the lowest price available doesn’t mean it is the perfect option for your AliExpress dropshipping store.

Let us give an example. If multiple AliExpress suppliers offer the same item at similar prices, but one supplier offers the same item at a much lower price, it typically suggests that the supplier offers an item with compromised quality.

You need to be aware of that. Therefore, research and compare the prices offered by different suppliers, as long as you want to build a successful e-commerce business.

To make sure you don’t get tricked by scammers, take a good look at the product descriptions and reviews. This way, you can get a sense of the product quality and make a smart decision.

To get started, just click on the seller’s name. This will take you to their store. For a smooth experience, I strongly suggest clicking on the Feedback option.

By doing this, you can check out the seller’s reputation by reading comments and ratings from previous customers.👇

Also, be cautious of stores with generic names like “shop2344523478” that popped up in the last six months.

🔸 Skip branded items

It is a well-known fact that world-class luxury brands on AliExpress are uncommon. You do not want to accidentally sell fakes and knockoffs on your online store, do you?

So, it would be wise to avoid products that look the same as some popular brands.

Also, it is a good idea to avoid products with logos resembling those of well-known brands. Though this might eventually limit your choices, it will certainly save you a lot of trouble.

Hence,

Many countries have rules in place to safeguard well-known brands. Even if you’re not worried about whether a product is genuine, if you accidentally buy fake stuff and your package gets checked, they might take away those items. 👇

Additionally, if you’ve got a bunch of these goods and it looks like you plan to sell them, you could end up dealing with legal problems.

🔸 Use ePacket delivery

As discussed above, the long shipping time is a common problem that many AliExpress dropshippers have to deal with.

To avoid this, try to find reputable AliExpress suppliers who offer ePacket shipping. This is, undoubtedly, one of the fastest shipping options on AliExpress to get products from China to the United States and Europe. Also, it is an affordable option.

Also, one of the key benefits of ePacket is its quick delivery time. Thus, it takes up to 2 weeks for products to be delivered to the US, which is quite faster than the standard shipping option.

💡 Moreover, consider AliExpress Premium Shipping: The Key to Get Your Orders on Time.

🔸 Look for suppliers with positive feedback

Sourcing products from a reputable AliExpress dropshipping supplier is a must for you if you want to succeed. Thus, it is important to make sure the AliExpress items you are about to sell have a high product rating (over 4.5 stars).

What’s more, make sure the supplier you plan to work with has mostly positive feedback. Fortunately, you can use a tool called AliExpress Seller Check to find out whether an AliExpress supplier is reputable and trustworthy or not.

🔸 Avoid unhelpful, uncommunicative suppliers

Communication is an essential element of every business, and supplier relationships are no exception.

A lack of good communication with a supplier can ultimately lead to wrong orders, shipping delays, etc. Not to mention all that stress, on both sides – you and your customers, of course!

So, ask a supplier a few questions before placing an order with them. Remember, a trustworthy supplier will answer all of your questions fast. But if they do not respond to your messages, it is a big red flag.

4. Import Products Into Your Store

This is also an important step in the process of starting your AliExpress dropshipping business.

You can add products to your store with one of the AliExpress product import apps listed above. Yeah, this can help automate and simplify your work when it comes to importing new products.

Therefore, you need an app for importing products. So, the most popular AliExpress product import app is AutoDS. Hence, this platform allows you to find AliExpress products and import them into your Shopify store.

Their Product Importer tool lets you bring in products to your dropshipping tool super easily, with just a few clicks, whether it’s one product, a bunch, or scheduled imports. Also, the product importer gives you a heads-up if it finds a product that’s copyrighted or trademarked. 👇

Sure, you can find many other apps for this purpose like DSers, Dropified, Importify, and SaleHoo Dropship. And they all grant you access to thousands of AliExpress suppliers and products.

But importing products into your store is not as simple as selecting AliExpress products and placing them on your website. There are a few more things you need to do as well:

• Take the time to write your own product descriptions and be as creative as possible;
• Set your prices high enough to provide a solid profit margin (at least a 50% profit margin);
• Let your customers know how long shipping takes. (You may want to include this on your product page.)

5. Market your AliExpress Dropshipping Store

An equally important part of the process is to market your dropshipping store and attract prospective customers. Want to make somebody buy from your dropshipping store, even if they can purchase the same item on AliExpress?

Then, you need to choose the right marketing channels, create promo messages, and spend money on paid ads.

In short, you need to promote your business to get your dropshipping business and offerings in front of the right people. If you want to learn how to do so, read this article.

However, quick advice: I highly recommend you to boost your social media ads, since it is the era of social media! Hence,  Facebook ads, Instagram ads, or TikTok ads, all can reach your specific audience based on demographics, interests, and customer behavior.

Moreover, video marketing can also help you show your products, and describe their features, functionality, how to use them, etc.

👉 Read about Wiio Dropshipping: The Truth Behind This AliExpress Alternative.

How To Register As A Seller On AliExpress?

So, if you prefer to actually sell on AliExpress as a seller, instead of having your own dropshipping store, here’s a quick guide of what you actually need to do:

Step 1- Access the Registration Page

Visit https://login.aliexpress.com/newseller.htm to begin signing up as a seller on AliExpress.

Next, fill in the required information:

1. Choose your language.
2. Pick your registration country.
3. Provide your seller email address.
4. Create a password that you’ll remember.
5. Verify by moving the bar to the right.
6. Accept the user agreement and click “Confirm.”

Step 2 – Verify Your Account

Check your email for the verification code. Copy it and enter it on AliExpress. Confirm the code.

Step 3 – Complete Company Information

Get your documents ready: tax identification number, Form 036 (for self-employed, use Form 036 or 037).

Fill in the details about your company or yourself if you’re self-employed.

Step 4- Attach Tax Information

Attach the previously prepared information. Enter your tax identification number and attach Form 036 (self-employed can use Form 037).

Step 5 – Provide Legal Representative Information

Complete information about the legal representative of the company during step 3 of your registration.

Note: Include all real beneficiaries of the company—those who control or benefit directly or indirectly from over 25% of shares or voting rights or have control over business administration.

Step 6 – Wait for Verification

After uploading all documents, your account will be verified. AliExpress will email you once the registration is complete.

Step 7 – Log In and Open Your Store

Upon receiving the confirmation email, click the link and enter the email and password you used for registering when opening your AliExpress store.

Path To Success: A Few Simple Tips On How to Build a Successful AliExpress Dropshipping Business

1. Inform your AliExpress Supplier That You Are a Dropshipper

It is recommended to let your supplier know that you are engaged in dropshipping. That way, they will not include any promotions or invoices in packages being sent to your customers.

Needless to say, that way, you will be able to ask questions, negotiate discounts, solve problems, etc.

2. Provide Top-Notch Customer Service

Sad to say, your AliExpress dropshipping business cannot survive without a focus on customer service. Do not forget that great customer service goes hand in hand with customer retention. So, do your best to make your customers happy.

3. Offer Free Shipping

Have you ever wondered why an item costing $15 + $3 shipping is not more attractive than the same item costing $18 with free shipping? The decoy effect is actually the culprit of this.

That’s why you may want to incorporate shipping rates into the cost of the item, particularly if you are using ePacket delivery. This means that you can charge a little bit extra for the item itself, and let your customers know that you offer free shipping.

4. Handle Refund Requests With Your Customers Tactfully

Refunding requests are awful, but they do happen sometimes. Therefore, you need to know how to handle them tactfully.

For instance, if your customer accepts to wait for a replacement, it is a win-win situation for you both. If not, let them know that you will solve the problem and give them a discount code for their next purchase.

5. Get Some Inspiration From Other Successful AliExpress Dropshipping Stores

Last but not least, a little bit of inspiration can never be a bad thing! Here are a few examples of successful AliExpress dropshipping stores that will inspire you to succeed:

• Notebook Therapy
• TinyHandz

Conclusion

With millions of products being available for sale, AliExpress is a dropshipper’s paradise and a potentially profitable place for you to source dropshipping products. Just follow my tips above and work hard!

You can find other dropshipping suppliers for your online store here. Or, if you want to find the best AliExpress alternatives, check out my previous article.