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How to Reduce AliExpress Shipping Times in 2023
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Aleksandra -
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Chief of Content Marketing
Aleksandra teaches marketing and management at various levels in High School. She writes about marketing, the economics and logistics of the dropshipping business and ecommerce in general.
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Chief of Content Marketing
17 minutes

Are you tired of waiting weeks or even months for your AliExpress packages to arrive? Well, you’re not alone. AliExpress shipping times can be frustratingly long, leaving customers feeling like they’re trapped in a never-ending waiting game.

But fear not, because there are steps you can take to reduce those shipping times and get your packages delivered faster. In 2023, it’s time to take matters into your own hands and find ways to expedite the shipping process.

 In this article, I will explore some tips and tricks to help you navigate the AliExpress shipping process and enjoy faster delivery times.

How Long Do Orders From AliExpress Take To Ship?

The average shipping time for standard AliExpress packages is between 15 and 30 days. In some cases, the shipping times take up to 60 days.

Also, the delivery time of an AliExpress package depends on multiple factors, such as the shipping methods suppliers use, the shipping and destination countries, and other variables.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Read my Aliexpress Dropshipping Review: Is AliExpress Good For Dropshipping?

Thus, let’s check out these two examples. I tried to order a hairpin for myself and checked on the same product with two different suppliers.

Hence, the one offered free shipping, but the estimated delivery time was 60 days. Also, this supplier gave me the option to pay a fee of $2.85 for delivery, and again the estimated delivery time was 46-60 days.

aliexpress shipping times

On the other hand, supplier No. 2 offered multiple shipping methods with faster shipping times. Hence, the shipping times were even short such as 7-15 days, but the delivery cost was insane! Check this out.

aliexpress shipping times

As you can see, the AliExpress shipping times in these cases mostly depend on supplier shipping methods and the customer destination.

In addition, one of the fastest shipping methods on Aliexpress are DHL, UPS, and FedEx. However, the shipping costs are high.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check out the 21 Best 3PL Companies For Handling Your Dropshipping Logistics.

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Most Common AliExpress Shipping Methods

When it comes to shipping products from AliExpress, there are several shipping methods available to choose from. Let’s see what I got for you!

โžก AliExpress Standard Shipping

AliExpress Standard Shipping is one of the most preferred and cheapest shipping methods available on AliExpress. It provides a cost-effective option for customers who are not in a hurry to receive their items.

When choosing AliExpress Standard Shipping, you can expect your packages to be delivered within a delivery window of 15 to 45 working days.

Also, the advantage of AliExpress Standard Shipping is that it ensures reliable delivery within a reasonable timeframe. So, you can track your packages and have peace of mind knowing that your orders are on their way.

โžก AliExpress Premium Shipping

AliExpress Premium Shipping is a reliable and expedited shipping method offered by AliExpress. Unlike AliExpress standard shipping, which typically has a longer delivery time frame, Premium Shipping promises faster shipping times.

With Premium Shipping, you can expect to receive your items in just 7 to 15 working days. Hence, this is ideal for customers who are looking for a more expedited delivery option.

Whether it’s for personal or business needs, Premium Shipping guarantees the prompt arrival of items while providing a convenient and efficient shipping experience.

๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Learn about AliExpress Premium Shipping: The Key to Get Your Orders on Time.

โžก ePacket Shipping method

ePacket shipping is a popular option offered by many AliExpress suppliers for delivering products from China to the United States. It provides a faster and more reliable delivery service compared to other free shipping options.

One of the key advantages of ePacket is its faster delivery time. It typically takes up to 2 weeks for products to be delivered to the US, which is significantly faster than the standard shipping option.

This is due to the fact that ePacket utilizes a combination of postal services in both the country of origin and the destination country, along with private couriers, to ensure speedy delivery.

Also, ePacket offers guaranteed delivery, meaning that if a package is lost or damaged during transit, the seller will either resend the product or provide a full refund. This gives buyers peace of mind when waiting for their purchases.

Another great feature of ePacket is parcel tracking. Buyers can easily monitor the progress of their packages using a unique tracking number provided by the seller.

โžก SunYou Economic Air Mail

SunYou Economic Air Mail is a fast and cost-effective shipping method offered by AliExpress. With SunYou Economic Air Mail, you can enjoy timely delivery of your products at a fraction of the cost compared to other shipping methods.

Shipping times with SunYou Economic Air Mail are impressively fast. On average, it takes around 7-15 business days for packages to reach their destination. This means that you can expect your AliExpress products to be in your hands in record time.

One of the major advantages of SunYou Economic Air Mail is its affordability. It provides a cost-effective shipping option, making it an ideal choice for dropshippers that rely on it.

โžก DHL, & UPS

DHL and UPS are renowned shipping carriers known for their fast and reliable services.

DHL is a global shipping company that offers a wide range of shipping services, including express delivery. With DHL, you can expect your packages to be transported quickly and efficiently to various destinations worldwide in around 3-7 business days.

On the other hand, UPS is also a prominent player in the shipping industry. They offer expedited shipping options that guarantee fast delivery within 2-5 business days. UPS’s commitment to reliability and efficiency has made them a popular choice among businesses and individuals alike.

When it comes to affordability, UPS expedited shipping is often considered more cost-effective compared to DHL.

However, it’s important to consider the value of the product being shipped. If you’re shipping a high-value item, investing in a faster and more secure shipping method like DHL may be the better choice to ensure the safe and timely delivery of your package.

โžก FedEx

FedEx offers one of the shortest delivery times among AliExpress shipping methods, with packages typically arriving within 7-15 days. In fact, some customers have even reported receiving their items in as little as 3 days when opting for FedEx delivery.

This quick transit time can be attributed to FedEx’s extensive network and efficient logistics system. By leveraging its established infrastructure, FedEx is able to offer a faster shipping experience compared to other shipping carriers.

Although FedEx may come with a higher price tag, many customers find the shorter delivery times worth it, especially when they need their items urgently.

โžก EMS

EMS, or Express Mail Service, is one of the most affordable shipping methods available on AliExpress. Not only is it cost-effective, but it also offers faster delivery compared to traditional shipping methods within the same price range.

With EMS, you can expect your package to arrive at its destination in just 7-15 days. Plus, there are cases when packages arrived within 3 to 7 business days.

EMS utilizes airmail for delivery, ensuring that your package is transported swiftly. This means that you can enjoy shorter shipping times without breaking the bank. Additionally, most EMS shipments come with a tracking number, allowing you to easily monitor the progress of your delivery.

Which AliExpress Shipping Method Is Best?

In my opinion, the answer to this FAQ depends on your personal needs and wants. However, from my experience, here’s what I think. ๐Ÿ‘‡

For fast shipping, it is recommended to opt for premium shipping methods So, I recommend you to try AliExpress Premium Shipping and EMS. These methods generally offer faster shipping times and better tracking options. While they may come at a higher cost, the quick delivery and reliability make them ideal for time-sensitive shipments.

On the other hand, for shipping to buyers, standard shipping methods like China Post or SunYou Economic Air Mail are commonly used. These methods are more affordable and usually provide reasonable shipping times, ranging from 15 to 45 days.

Also, if your target audience is based in the US, you should definitely consider ePacket as an option as well.

๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Check out the AliExpress Dropshipping: 101 Guide On How To Source From AliExpress.

Is It Really Possible To Reduce AliExpress Shipping Times?

Shipping times with AliExpress are not fixed, which means there are ways to expedite delivery and reduce shipping time for customer orders.

So, whether is contacting the supplier or doing it by yourself with some tips and tricks, it is possible. So, let’s see how to reduce AliExpress shipping times.

๐Ÿ’ก IDEA: Want to Dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay? I got you.

5 Ways To Reduce AliExpress Shipping Times

As I have already said, it is actually possible to speed up delivery times when dropshipping with AliExpress. Keep reading to find out how to do that.

๐Ÿ”ธ Select Suppliers That Offer Shipping Methods That Are Both Quick And Cost-Effective

AliExpress dropshipping suppliers provide a range of shipping methods with different prices and speeds. Plus, as I can conclude from the example above, most of the suppliers offer inexpensive but slow shipping, while others offer fast but more expensive deliveries.

As you do not have control over the fulfillment and shipping process, you cannot select the shipping method yourself. In fact, you can only choose from the ones that this supplier has offered.

Like the one in the picture below. Hence, this supplier offers 5 shipping methods, and all of them come with different shipping costs and times. But, as long as I can see, the lower the shipping time, the higher the cost is. ๐Ÿ‘‡

shipping method

However, I will not recommend it, since the costs are very high, and the product I selected is a fitness set with a top and leggings, and it costs around $20.

So, it would be wise to choose a supplier that offers fast yet affordable shipping methods. This is a good way to reduce AliExpress shipping times.

For example, I personally use the Alitools Shopping Assistant. This AliExpress extension helps me check on suppliers’ shipping times and the options they offer. This way, I can make a more informed decision.

seller rating

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check out the Top 11 Dropshipping AliExpress Chrome Extensions.

๐Ÿ”ธ Pay Attention To Processing Times

Another way to reduce AliExpress shipping times is to pay attention to the processing times offered by dropshipping suppliers. Just to clarify, there is a difference between shipping and processing times.

Processing time is the turnaround time for a supplier to process an order. In other words, it is the time period when you place the order with your dropshipping supplier and they prepare that order for shipment.

Hence, I just placed an order for my hairpin. Thus, this notification at the bottom is actually the processing time, which is 24 hours. ๐Ÿ‘‡

processing time

However, I have more experience with even longer processing times, like 48-72 days.

On the other hand, shipping time is the time it takes a shipped order to reach its final destination. Here you can see how this looks once your order is approved by the supplier.

shipping process

๐Ÿ’ก Ultimate guide: What Does Shipped Mean In Dropshipping?

Now letโ€™s get back to the point. Different AliExpress dropshipping suppliers offer different processing times. The average processing time is anywhere between 2-3 days.

Total delivery time = Processing time + Shipping time

Let me give an example. If the estimated shipping time of a product is about 15 days and the processing time is 3 days, your customer will receive that product within about 18 days.

As you can see, the shorter the processing time, the faster the total delivery time. Therefore, you should check the processing times to figure out how long it takes for AliExpress suppliers to process orders.

But how can you do that? For this purpose, I use the Up Assistant extension, and I can check on each supplier’s rating and details.

aliexpress shipping times

That’s how I usually find information about their processing time. Because otherwise, it cannot be viewable before placing an order.

๐Ÿ”ธ Partner With Suppliers That Have Warehouses In Your Target Country

Yes, that’s right! Even with AliExpress dropshipping, you can work with suppliers that have warehouses in your target country.

In fact, the majority of AliExpress dropshipping suppliers are based in China. However, some suppliers store their products in warehouses outside of China, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Canada, etc.

In case you want to provide faster shipping times, it is a good idea to filter products by a warehouse location thatโ€™s closer to your customers.

To illustrate, let’s say that your target audience is from United Kindom, and you want suppliers based in the UK. So, to find a supplier with a warehouse in a specific country, you need to sort by โ€œship fromโ€.

aliexpress shipping times

And, this is probably the best way to reduce AliExpress shipping times.

๐Ÿ”ธ Order Test Products

Ordering test products from multiple suppliers is a great way to validate the shipping and processing times. Not just that, but this way you can ensure the product quality, and whether the product matches the description. So, you kill two flies with one move!

๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Discover the 9 Reasons About Why Is AliExpress So Cheap [Truth Revealed]

One more thing that I want to mention here is that you can also order the same product from several AliExpress suppliers to identify the one with the fastest shipping times.

And, I also advise you to partner with that supplier because this way, you will make sure that your products get to your customers on time.

๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Discover the Dropshipping Product Research Tools: How To Find Winning Products In 2023?

๐Ÿ”ธ Try To Find โ€œVIPโ€ Listings For Your Dropshipping Products

AliExpress dropshipping suppliers tend to make VIP listings for loyal customers or dropshippers and give their orders a higher priority.

As a result, you can get shorter processing times and your customers will receive their orders faster. In some cases, suppliers will also ship your products directly to your customers using special shipping methods like 4PX or YunExpress.

But faster shipping is not the only benefit of these VIP listings. VIP listings also allow you to buy AliExpress products at lower prices. Also, it is important to know that if you have been working with an AliExpress dropshipping supplier for a long time, you can ask them to create a VIP page for you.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check out The Ultimate Guide: How To Find Products To Dropship In 2023.

๐Ÿ”ธCheck On Supplier’s Customer Feedback & Rating

Customers trust customers. Don’t you? I always check on customers’ feedback and rating on AliExpress.

Hence, I read all the positive and negative comments. This way, I find valuable information about shipping times, processing times, product quality, and more. Plus, I can even see photos of the products that customers received.

For instance, now while I was making a decision to buy my hairpin, I searched through multiple product pages with products from different suppliers. And, guess what? If I didn’t do that and chosen the first one, I would have screwed it up big time.

customer reviews

Thanks to the product reviews by customers, I could see the product quality, and check on the delivery times. This way, I made better a decision.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Read about Testimonial Advertising: 11 Proven Examples To Sell More.

Extra Tips About AliExpress Shipping Times

Now that you know how to reduce the shipping time with AliExpress, it is time to put a few additional tips into practice.

๐Ÿ”ธ Let your customers know how long shipping takes

Transparency in the shipping process enhances the overall satisfaction of your customers. So, give your customers clear information about the shipping time.

You can do so by creating a Shipping Policy and adding shipping info to every product page at the bottom of the product description. This can help them estimate their wait time and decrease their anxiety level triggered by the uncertainty of the situation.

And sometimes, it is better to implement a strategy called โ€œunderpromise and overdeliverโ€. That way, you will do more than you originally said you would do, thus exceeding the expectations of your customers.

Letโ€™s suppose your customer expects to receive their order within about 10 days and their package arrives a day earlier. If they end up waiting just 9 days rather than 10, they will feel happier as they expected to wait longer.

๐Ÿ”ธ Provide great customer service and keep your customers updated on the shipping process

If you have a clear Shipping Policy, your customers will be less likely to get nervous and ask you where their product is. However, it could still happen.

Thatโ€™s why you need to provide great customer service for dropshipping and keep your customers updated on the shipping process.

Therefore, I suggest you include multiple customer touchpoints regarding the AliExpress messaging. For example, you can use phone calls, live chat, and email marketing.

For instance, email marketing can be another way for customers to communicate with you. Plus, you can even send a newsletter to loyal customers and inform them about promotions, discounts, new arrivals, etc.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check out my Klaviyo Pricing Guide & Alternatives for Dropshipping Businesses.

AliExpress Alternative Solutions

Banggood

banggood vs aliexpress

Banggood is a popular alternative solution platform to AliExpress that can significantly reduce shipping times for customers. Similar to AliExpress, Banggood offers a wide range of products, ensuring that customers have a diverse selection to choose from.

What sets Banggood apart is its emphasis on providing different shipping options and faster delivery times.

For US customers, Banggood offers Standard Shipping (7-20 working days) for free and Express Shipping (3-7 working days with a tracking number) with an additional fee.

In other parts of the world, local couriers may be available which can include FedEx, UPS, DHL, or EMS with varying shipping times dependent upon your location. Thus, they also offer Standard Shipping which is usually quite fast compared to other couriers but generally without any tracking information.

For some areas, there may be other options for time-sensitive deliveries such as airmail, priority line, and local direct mail.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check out the Best 13 Wholesale Dropshipping Suppliers In India, China, And Canada.

ChinaBrands

chinabrands vs aliexpress shipping times

Introducing ChinaBrands, a viable alternative to AliExpress that offers reduced shipping times for customers worldwide. One of the key advantages of ChinaBrands is its extensive network of domestic warehouses located in multiple countries. This strategic placement enables them to ship products from these warehouses, effectively minimizing waiting times and eliminating customs surcharges.

ChinaBrands’ shipping options cater to the needs of customers with varying requirements. Hence, their standard shipping can range from 10-30 business days, depending on the location. On the other hand, their expedited shipping takes from 3-10 business days.

Chinabrands also offers air parcel shipping for certain destinations. The shipping time for air parcel shipping can range from 7-20 business days, depending on the location.

For larger and heavier items, Chinabrands offers sea freight shipping. The shipping time for sea freight shipping can range from 30-60 business days, depending on the location.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check out the 11 Best China Dropshipping Suppliers [General & Niche Dropshippers].

DhGate

dhgate

DhGate offers a variety of shipping methods and options that are designed to provide fast and efficient delivery to customers.

One of the ways in which DhGate helps reduce shipping times is through its fast shipping options. For example, with DHL or UPS, the items can arrive within 3-7 business days.

DhGate also offers a selection of delivery options that cater to different needs and budgets. Customers can choose from standard shipping, which offers an affordable shipping method that is suitable for regular orders, or opt for premium shipping to receive their orders even faster.

Furthermore, DhGate has products stored in warehouses located in the US and EU, which enables faster and cheaper delivery to these regions. By having items stored locally, customers can benefit from reduced shipping times and potentially lower shipping costs.

For global delivery, the shipping times are between 3-15 working days.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn How Do I Dropship without Using AliExpress? [Best Alternatives in 2023]

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The bottom line

The power of customers in seller-customer relationships has significantly risen in recent years. So have customer expectations.

This is why it is crucial to take the shipping process seriously and do your best to improve it.

All in all, AliExpress shipping times can take as long as 60 days. But, on average, it typically takes up to 15-30 days for orders to arrive.

Thankfully, you can reduce AliExpress shipping times if you listen to my advice. Sure, feel free to do your own research and find more ways to accelerate your delivery times. But, instead of wasting your time, take advantage of my blog article insights. Happy Dropshipping!

About the Author

Profile picture of Aleksandra
Aleksandra Miteva
Aleksandra teaches marketing and management at various levels in High School. She writes about marketing, the economics and logistics of the dropshipping business and ecommerce in general.