If you’re in the dropshipping world, you know the drill. You find a fantastic product on AliExpress, your store is all set up, and you’re excited to see the orders come in.
But then, that one question pops into your head: “Seriously, how long will it take for this to get to my customer?”
It’s the single biggest source of stress for store owners. One customer gets their package in 15 days, and the next is still waiting after a month. It can feel completely out of your control, leaving you to deal with anxious emails and a sinking feeling.
As a team that handles logistics every single day, Here’s what you need to know from the logistics experts at EPROLO. Here’s a straightforward look at how AliExpress shipping really works and how you can take back control.
AliExpress Shipping: The Standard Timelines
- Standard Shipping (15-45 Days): This is the most widely used method, offering a reliable and cost-effective balance for shipping goods globally. Most packages to North America and Europe fall within this timeframe.
- Premium Shipping (7-15 Days): For orders where speed is a priority, AliExpress offers premium options. This service provides faster delivery at a higher cost, making it a strategic choice for high-value items or specific markets.
- Economy Shipping (30-60+ Days): An option available for very low-cost items, this method prioritizes savings over speed and may have limited tracking capabilities.
Key Insight: The total delivery time is a combination of two distinct phases:
- 1.Supplier Processing (1-5 days): The time the seller takes to prepare the order.
- 2.Carrier Transit: The time the package is in the hands of the logistics companies.
Factors Influencing International Shipping Times
- Global Distances: Packages travel thousands of miles, often passing through multiple sorting hubs to keep costs low.
- Customs Procedures: Every international shipment typically spends a few days being processed by customs in both the exporting and importing countries. This is a standard security and regulatory step.
- Peak Seasons & Holidays: Global shopping events (like Q4 holidays) and national holidays (like Chinese New Year) create higher volumes for logistics networks worldwide, which can lead to delays.
- Supplier Operations: The efficiency of individual sellers on the platform can vary. Experienced sellers often have streamlined processes for faster dispatch.
The Real Deal on Shipping Times
When a package travels from a warehouse in China to a customer’s doorstep in another country, it’s on quite a journey. So when you see an estimate of 15 to 45 days for standard shipping, it’s not just a random number—it reflects that complex process.
Think of it this way: your product is being shipped thousands of miles, passing through international sorting centers, clearing customs, and then being handed off to a local post office for the final delivery. It’s an impressively efficient system for the cost.
The issue isn’t that AliExpress is “bad” or “slow.” The issue is that customer expectations have been shaped by two-day domestic shipping. An international wait, no matter how normal, can feel like a lifetime to them. Unpredictable things like a customs backlog or a busy holiday season can stretch that timeline even further.
This is the standard way of dropshipping, and it’s a perfectly fine way to start. But when you’re ready to grow, you need a more reliable system.
How to Build a Better Shipping Strategy
The Game-Changer: Ship from a Local Warehouse
You could offer delivery in just 2–5 days—here’s how.
That’s what happens when you use a local fulfillment center. Instead of shipping every order from China, you can stock your most popular products in warehouses located in the US and UK.
When an order comes in, we pick, pack, and ship it from just a few states away, not from across the ocean. This one move virtually eliminates customer complaints about shipping speed and helps you compete with established local brands.
Create a Brand People Remember
Think about the difference between getting a plain envelope in the mail versus a nicely branded box. That first impression matters.
When you ship directly from any marketplace, the packaging is generic. It gets the job done, but it doesn’t build your brand. With EPROLO’s branding services, your product arrives in a package that represents you. We can use your logo on the box and even add a custom thank-you note inside.
It makes your business feel more legitimate and trustworthy, which makes customers more likely to shop with you again.
3 Steps about Your Path Forward
So, what does this all mean for you? Here’s a simple path to follow:
- Use AliExpress to Start and Test. It’s an incredible tool for discovering new products without taking on risk. Be open with your customers about the standard shipping times.
- Find Your Winning Products. Pay attention to what sells consistently. These are your top-performing products.
- Scale with a Partner. Once you know what works, team up with EPROLO. Move your winning products into our local warehouses, automate your fulfillment, and wrap it all in your own custom branding.
Stop letting shipping logistics be a source of stress. By understanding the process and using the right tools, you can build a faster, more professional, and more reliable business that customers will appreciate and return to.
