AliExpress Dropshipping - How to Dropship From AliExpress (2026)
In the dropshipping world, AliExpress is the unignorable giant. It's a massive online marketplace with millions of products—from bizarre home goods to the latest electronics—all at impossibly low prices.
If you're reading The Ultimate Guide to Dropshipping, you know that finding a supplier is the most critical step. And for most people, AliExpress is the starting line.
But how do you navigate this jungle without getting lost? This guide will show you how to dropship from AliExpress the smart way.
Why AliExpress? (The Brutally Honest Pros & Cons)
Before we start, let's be real.
The Pros (Why people love it):
-
Dirt Cheap Prices: Your profit margins (on paper) are huge.
-
Endless Selection: If a product exists, it's probably on AliExpress.
-
No Contracts, No Fees: You don't have to commit. You just buy items one at a time as you get orders.
The Cons (The hard truth):
-
Slow Shipping: This is the killer. Suppliers are in China, so shipping to the US or EU can take 2-4 weeks.
-
Inconsistent Quality: The photo might look amazing, but the real product could be a cheap plastic disaster.
-
Language Barrier: Communicating with suppliers can be tricky sometimes.
The good news? We have ways to fix most of these problems.
The 5-Step Guide to AliExpress Dropshipping (No Fluff)
Step 1: Find Your Niche & Product (Sifting for Gold)
Don't just go on AliExpress and pick what "looks cool." You need a strategy.
-
Start with a niche: Don't sell "everything." Focus on one thing.
-
Use the filters: When searching, filter by "Orders" to see what's already selling well.
-
Avoid branded goods: If you see a "Gucci" bag for $15, it's a fake. Selling it will get your store shut down.
Hunt for Reliable Suppliers (The Most Important Part)
This is the step 99% of beginners get wrong. The supplier matters more than the product.
My "Accept-No-Less" Checklist:
-
Store Rating: Only work with suppliers that have 95% or higher "Positive Feedback."
-
Time in Business: Have they been open for at least 2 years?
-
Order Volume: Does the product you've chosen have thousands of orders? This shows they have experience.
-
Shipping Options: Do they offer "AliExpress Standard Shipping"? This is often the best balance of speed and cost. Avoid the super-slow "free shipping" options.
Step 3: Build Your Headquarters (Your Shopify Store)
Don't ever try to dropship without a proper store. Customers won't trust you. Shopify is the gold standard for this.
Special Offer: Click here to sign up for Shopify and get a trial for only $1/month for your first 3 months.
Once you're in, make it look professional:
-
Basic Setup: Follow our guide.
-
Get a Theme: Your store's "skin" needs to be fast and beautiful.
Step 4: Get Automated (Connecting AliExpress to Shopify)
You aren't planning on manually typing in every customer's order, are you?
In 2026, we use apps for that. The "official" app for connecting Shopify to AliExpress is called DSers.
How it works:
-
You install the DSers app (it's on our 10 Must-Have Free Shopify Apps list).
-
You browse AliExpress through DSers.
-
You click "Import" to push products (images, descriptions) straight into your Shopify store.
-
When you get an order, you just click "Place Order" in DSers, and it auto-fills all the customer's info on AliExpress.
Step 5: Rewrite Descriptions & Order Samples
This is a deadly sin: Shopify Design Mistakes Killing Sales (and Fixes). The mistake is copy-pasting the product description from AliExpress.
It's usually full of grammar errors and a messy list of specs. Write your own, focusing on the benefits to the customer.
And most importantly: ORDER A SAMPLE. You need to see the product for yourself and know how long it actually takes to arrive.
The Secret to Marketing AliExpress Products
You've got a great-looking store. Now what? You need traffic.
-
Paid Ads: TikTok and Facebook/Instagram Ads are the fastest. The beauty of AliExpress is you can test 10 different products with a small budget to see which one "hits."
-
Long-Term SEO: Write blog posts about your niche. If you sell kitchen gadgets, write "5 Ways to Organize Your Kitchen."
Conclusion: Is AliExpress Still Good for 2026?
Yes, on one condition: You must treat AliExpress as a supplier, not a solution.
AliExpress is the best school for dropshipping. It teaches you how to find products, how to talk to suppliers, and how to market. Many massive store owners started here before moving on to private suppliers or domestic warehouses.
Use it intelligently, filter out the junk, and you will succeed.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Will my customers know I'm dropshipping from AliExpress?
Not if you do it right. The supplier will not include invoices or AliExpress promotions in the package (you can leave them a note with your order: "This is a dropshipping order. Please no invoices or promotions.").
2. Is DSers the only option?
DSers is the "official" recommended replacement for Oberlo by both Shopify and AliExpress, and it's the best one to start with (and it's free). Other options like CJ Dropshipping also connect but work a bit differently.
3. How do I handle the slow shipping?
Be transparent. State clearly on your product page: "Due to high demand, please allow 10-18 business days for shipping." Customers will accept it if they know upfront, but they will be furious if you promise 3 days and deliver in 3 weeks.
