Guide to start selling on AliExpress from EU

Do you want to start selling on AliExpress? This platform can take your products to each corner of the world and improve the ratio sales of your business. Learn the steps to follow and all the advantages of selling on AliExpress from the European Union. 

What is AliExpress?

First off, AliExpress is an e-commerce platform based in China and made up of small businesses in several locations. Launched in 2010, this online retail service quickly made its way into the international online market and currently offers products to more than 150 million users.

This B2C platform is a marketplace just like Amazon, since it is targeted to individual buyers — it offers retail prices regardless of the quantity the buyers choose. En España, se posiciona como la segunda aplicación de compras más utilizada.

Main requirements to start selling on AliExpress

On one hand, AliExpress started in China, but from 2022 sellers based in other countries such as Spain, Italy, France, Brazil or Russia are allowed to sell products. Within the EU, it is mandatory to provide a two-year warranty for all the products on sale.

On the other hand, you have to be registered as a company or as a professional seller. In order to do so, upon registration you have to include your VAT number, operating license, ID number and other relevant data thar prove teh. Lastly, you will have to agree to the Alipay Global Open Platform Membership Agreement’s terms of use.

How to start selling on AliExpress?

Once you fulfill the requirements mentioned above, follow these steps to start selling your products on AliExpress.

1. Create an account 

Firstly, log in and select your country of business and tax registration, since selling on AliExpress is not yet allowed in some coutnries. Then, enter your business e-mail, choose a password. Besides, you have to enter your company’s information:

1. Type of business
2. Registration name
3. Address
4. Updated company contact information: e-mail and phone number
5. Tax registration number and certificate.
6. VAT number
7. Operating license

On the other hand, you will have to specify the personal details of your company’s legal representative: full name, e-mail address, phone number, nationality, date of birth and passport/ID number.

2. Create your own AliExpress store

Within 2 or 3 working days, your account will be accepted and verified by AliExpress. Then, you will have to follow the next steps.

Choose category

AliExpress allows you to sell a wide variety of products, so you will have to specify your business category. In the category enrollment site, select the categories that best define your items and subsequently, select the products you will sell.

Set up your business store

Once you have completed this step, you have to choose a template according to your brand, which includes relevant information about your business. Likewise, you will have to select your payment plan for annual fees among several options and adapt the style both for the app and desktop version, in order to be user-friendly.

Add products and relevant information

Then, based on the product categories and lists you selected previously, upload your products and add all the relevant information to facilitate the purchasing process such as pictures and SEO-friendly descriptions.

Specify delivery policy

Besides, you will have to choose the delivery system such as courier, costs and time, return policy of 15 days minimum, production location as well as discounts and minimum order quantity per buyer. Also, shipments must be established in a window from 1 – 5 days after the purchasing moment.

3. How much selling on AliExpress cost?

One of the main perks of AliExpress is that selling on this platform is free. Nonetheless, as a seller you have to pay a commission fee upon a sold item. On a positive note, there are no listing or management fees.

The commission fee depends on the product, fluctuating between 5 and 10 percent. It is a fixed percentage of the total sales price. For instance, furniture and home appliances apply 5%, while baby accessories apply 8%.

4. How does the order service work on AliExpress?

In order to ship orders from Spain, as well as from other EU countries, AliExpress puts a free shipping template at your disposal, which includes all the necessary information. One of the points to take into account is that the price specified in the template has to be lower than the actual price that the customer has to pay.

As the individual responsible for both the company and products, you will have to print and deliver the labels personally to the offices of the transport company you choose to send the shipment. You will also have to enter the tracking number for each order manually.

While this process may be viable for those who sell a few items, larger businesses hire external agencies to carry out programmed processes to save time.

5. What payment methods can be used on AliExpress?

In comparison to other platforms, payment methods on AliExpress are rather limited though they mostly benefit your European target audience. Customers can pay via credit and debit cards, such as:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Maestro
• American Express

Do you want to start selling on AliExpress? 

Its many advantages and the potential growth in the international market turn this platform into a very attractive option for any business seeking to increase its sales in the marketplace.

If you want to stand out among the competition on AliExpress and become a selling leader, Azzgency provides a personalised strategic plan for each business and product.

Feel free to contact our team of experts and receive professional guidance!

Questions about selling on Aliexpress

Does AliExpress include VAT?

AliExpress includes VAT in the prices of goods sold to consumers in the EU as per local regulations. However, it’s important for sellers to understand that VAT rates might differ by country and product category, and they must be clearly displayed on the product page. As a seller, you are responsible for charging and remitting the appropriate VAT on sales within the EU.

Data Privacy and Security on AliExpress

Regarding data privacy, AliExpress complies with global standards to protect personal information but, like many large e-commerce platforms, does utilize user data to optimize and personalize the shopping experience. If you are concerned about privacy, it’s essential to read their privacy policy carefully to understand what data is collected and how it is used.

AliExpress’s Shipping Policies

AliExpress ships to numerous countries globally, including Egypt, Italy, Spain, and the UAE. The platform has developed an extensive logistics network to ensure efficient shipping. Moreover, the free shipping offered by many sellers on AliExpress typically involves longer transit times and is often supported by logistics services like AliExpress Standard Shipping or ePacket.

Free Shipping Explained

Free shipping on AliExpress is often a cost-effective marketing strategy where sellers absorb the shipping costs to attract more buyers. However, delivery times can vary significantly, from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the destination and shipping method chosen.

Costs of Selling on AliExpress

Selling on AliExpress involves various costs, primarily commission fees which vary by product category, generally between 5% and 10%. There are no listing fees, but sellers are charged a commission on each sale.

Selling on AliExpress from the USA and Europe

Sellers from the USA and Europe can leverage AliExpress to reach international markets. Notably, selling from these locations may involve navigating additional logistics and regulatory requirements, particularly concerning import duties and local compliance in the destination markets.

Integrating AliExpress with Amazon

To add products from AliExpress to Amazon:

1. Create an Amazon seller account if you don’t already have one.
2. Ensure compliance with Amazon’s policies regarding dropshipping and order fulfillment.
3. Set up product listings on Amazon using the details and images from your AliExpress products, adjusting for Amazon’s format and audience.
4. Manage orders diligently to ensure that products shipped from AliExpress meet Amazon’s delivery timelines and quality expectations.