AliExpress for Dropshipping: The Complete Guide to Starting in 2025

If you’ve ever researched ways to make money online, chances are you’ve come across dropshipping—and right behind it, the name AliExpress. For years, AliExpress has been the starting point for thousands of beginners entering ecommerce. And in 2025, it’s still one of the most talked-about platforms in the dropshipping world.

But here’s the honest truth:
AliExpress can be an incredible tool or a frustrating nightmare—depending on how you use it.

So the real questions are:

Is AliExpress still good for dropshipping in 2025?
Can beginners still succeed with it?
And how do you avoid common mistakes like long shipping times, bad suppliers, and unhappy customers?

That’s exactly what this guide is here to answer.

Think of this as a friendly, no-hype roadmap. We’ll walk through what AliExpress dropshipping really is, how it works step by step, the pros and cons, how to find reliable suppliers, what products sell best, and when it makes sense to move on to better alternatives.

What is AliExpress and Why is it Popular for Dropshipping?

At its core, AliExpress is an online marketplace owned by Alibaba Group. It’s like Amazon, but mainly focused on connecting buyers (like you) with sellers based in China (and some other regions). Unlike Alibaba, which usually requires bulk orders, AliExpress lets you buy single units at wholesale prices.

This makes it perfect for dropshipping—a business model where you don’t keep any products in stock. Instead, when a customer buys from your store, you place the order with the AliExpress supplier, and they ship it directly to your customer.

Why do so many dropshippers love AliExpress?

It’s free to use (no subscriptions).
Millions of products across almost every niche.
Easy to start without any investment.
You don’t have to handle inventory or shipping.

In short, AliExpress acts like your hidden warehouse, and all you have to do is focus on finding the right products and marketing them.

How AliExpress Dropshipping Works (Step-by-Step)

Let’s say you’ve set up a Shopify store selling pet accessories. A customer lands on your store and orders a $25 dog harness.

Here’s what happens next:

Customer places order on your site. You receive $25 in your Shopify account.
You order the product on AliExpress. You go to your supplier’s AliExpress page where the same harness costs $8.
Supplier ships directly to your customer. You enter your customer’s address at checkout, and the supplier mails it out.
You keep the profit. In this case, $17 minus any store expenses.

That’s the beauty of AliExpress dropshipping—you’re essentially acting as the middle person, but you don’t carry any of the risk of stocking inventory.

Of course, it sounds super simple (and it is to start), but the real challenge is picking the right suppliers and products. We’ll get into that shortly.

Pros of Using AliExpress for Dropshipping ✅

Like anything in business, AliExpress has its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s start with the good stuff:

Huge Product Variety – You can find anything from fashion to tech gadgets to home decor. No matter what niche you’re in, AliExpress has suppliers for it.
Low Startup Costs – You don’t need to invest in bulk inventory. You only pay when you get an order.
Easy to Test Products – Want to try a new niche? Add the product to your store, run ads, and see if it sells. No need for massive upfront investment.
No Storage Needed – Suppliers take care of warehousing, packaging, and shipping.
Beginner-Friendly – It’s a straightforward entry point for people who want to start dropshipping in 2025 without overcomplicating things.

In short, AliExpress is an amazing platform to start learning the dropshipping business model, especially if you’re still figuring things out.

Cons of Using AliExpress for Dropshipping ❌

Now let’s keep it real. AliExpress isn’t perfect, and you should know the downsides before diving in:

Long Shipping Times – Products can take 2–6 weeks to arrive, depending on the supplier and shipping method. Customers used to Amazon Prime might not be happy.
Inconsistent Quality – Since multiple sellers offer the same product, quality can vary a lot. One harness may be amazing, while another falls apart in a week.
Competition is High – Because it’s free and easy, many beginners use AliExpress, meaning you’ll face competition.
Branding Limitations – Suppliers usually don’t offer custom packaging or branded inserts (unless you scale and make private deals).
Customer Service Challenges – If something goes wrong (like delays or wrong products), you’ll be the one handling angry customers—not AliExpress.

So while AliExpress is a great place to start, it’s not always the best for scaling into a long-term brand.

How to Find the Best AliExpress Suppliers

Choosing the right supplier can make or break your dropshipping business. You can have the best-looking product and the cleanest website, but if your supplier is unreliable, everything falls apart—late deliveries, poor quality, refunds, and angry customers.

That’s why supplier research is more important than chasing “winning products.”

Here’s how to find AliExpress suppliers you can actually trust.

1. Check Ratings and Order Volume

This should always be your first filter.

When evaluating a supplier, look for:

95% or higher positive feedback
Hundreds or thousands of orders on the product
Recent reviews, not reviews from years ago

A high order volume tells you the supplier is actively fulfilling orders, while recent reviews give insight into their current quality and shipping speed. If a product has great reviews from three years ago but nothing recent, that’s a red flag.

Also, don’t just glance at star ratings—read the written reviews and look at customer photos. They often reveal quality issues that product images hide.

2. Look for “Trusted Seller” or “Top Brand” Badges

AliExpress highlights experienced sellers with labels like:

Top Brand
Trusted Seller
Store with multiple years of operation

These badges don’t guarantee perfection, but they usually indicate:

Consistent order fulfillment
Fewer scams or disappearing sellers
Better dispute handling

Avoid brand-new stores with zero history unless you’re willing to take risks and test very cautiously.

3. Order Samples (Highly Recommended)

This step is skipped by many beginners—and it’s often where problems start.

Before selling a product to customers:

Order the product yourself
Test the quality in real life
Check packaging, labeling, and materials
Measure how long shipping actually takes

This gives you confidence in what your customers will receive. It also helps you write better product descriptions because you’re speaking from real experience.

Spending a few dollars on samples can save you hundreds in refunds and chargebacks later.

4. Test Communication Before You Need Them

Suppliers are your silent business partners, so communication matters.

Send them a simple message like:

“Do you offer faster shipping options?”
“Do you support bulk orders in the future?”
“Do you ship from a US warehouse?”

Pay attention to:

How fast they reply
How clear their English is
Whether they actually answer your question

If a supplier is slow, vague, or unhelpful before you’re selling, imagine how difficult they’ll be when an order goes missing. A responsive supplier means fewer headaches and smoother operations.

5. Check Shipping Options Carefully

Shipping speed directly affects customer satisfaction and refunds.

Whenever possible, prioritize suppliers that offer:

AliExpress Standard Shipping
ePacket
US or EU warehouse shipping

Suppliers with local warehouses often deliver in 3–7 days instead of weeks. Even if the product costs slightly more, faster shipping usually leads to happier customers and better reviews.

Also, avoid suppliers that only offer the cheapest untracked shipping—it almost always causes problems.

Ready to Start Your Dropshipping Journey?

Learning how to start dropshipping with no money is just the first step. If you want a clear roadmap with proven strategies, I’ve put together a Free 4-Day Dropshipping Training that will show you exactly how to:

Pick winning products that actually sell
Set up a store without wasting time or money
Drive free traffic to your store and start making sales

Take your first step toward building a profitable online business today! No email require!

Best AliExpress Dropshipping Products to Sell in 2025

AliExpress has millions of products, but here’s the hard truth: most of them won’t sell. Successful dropshipping isn’t about listing random items—it’s about choosing products that people already want and feel motivated to buy.

In 2025, buyers are more intentional. They want convenience, self-improvement, comfort, and products that make everyday life easier. The niches below continue to perform well because they align perfectly with those needs.

Beauty & Skincare

The beauty niche remains one of the strongest on AliExpress because it’s:

Visually appealing (great for TikTok and Instagram)
Driven by emotion and self-confidence
Repeat-purchase friendly

Top-performing beauty products include:

Face rollers and ice globes for skincare routines
Makeup organizers that reduce clutter
Hair styling tools like heatless curlers
Skincare accessories such as cleansing brushes and silicone applicators

These products work well because they promise visible improvement and self-care—two powerful buying triggers.

Pet Supplies

Pet owners are emotional buyers, which makes this niche incredibly strong year after year.

Winning AliExpress pet products include:

Dog harnesses and leashes that improve safety and comfort
Interactive toys that reduce boredom and anxiety
Grooming tools that save money on vet or groomer visits
Pet travel accessories for car rides and trips

If a product helps a pet feel safer, happier, or healthier, owners are far more likely to buy without hesitation.

Home & Kitchen

Home products sell well because they solve everyday frustrations. People love tools that make their space feel more organized and efficient.

Popular options include:

Storage organizers for closets, bathrooms, and kitchens
Space-saving gadgets for small apartments
Cleaning tools that reduce effort and time

These products are especially powerful when marketed with before-and-after visuals showing the transformation they create.

Fitness & Wellness

Health-conscious buyers continue to grow in 2025, especially those looking for affordable ways to stay active at home.

Strong AliExpress fitness products include:

Resistance bands for home workouts
Massage tools for muscle recovery
Posture correctors for desk workers
Recovery products like foam rollers and stretch tools

These items sell best when positioned as solutions to pain, discomfort, or lack of time.

Tech Accessories

Tech accessories are evergreen sellers because people constantly upgrade devices and want convenience.

High-demand products include:

Phone cases with unique or functional designs
Charging stations and cable organizers
Desk gadgets for productivity and aesthetics
Smart home accessories like LED lights or sensor devices

While competition is higher in this niche, differentiation through design, bundling, or branding can make a big difference.

How to Overcome AliExpress Dropshipping Challenges

Okay, so we’ve talked about the downsides. But how do you work around them?

Shipping Times: Use suppliers that offer ePacket or faster shipping options. If possible, look for AliExpress suppliers with warehouses in the US or Europe.
Set Realistic Expectations: Be upfront with your customers. For example, let them know shipping may take 10–20 days, but the savings make it worth it.
Track Everything: Always provide tracking numbers. This builds trust.
Automate Orders: Use apps like DSers (Shopify official partner) or Oberlo alternatives to make order fulfillment easier.
Customer Service Scripts: Have prepared responses for common complaints like “Where’s my order?” to save time.

Dropshipping has its challenges, but with the right systems in place, you can avoid most major headaches.

Alternatives to AliExpress for Dropshipping

While AliExpress is amazing for starting, you may want to switch to alternatives once you’ve validated your products. Some good options are:

Zendrop – US-based warehouses with faster shipping and branding options.
Spocket – Focuses on US and EU suppliers for quicker delivery.
CJ Dropshipping – Offers sourcing, faster shipping, and even custom branding.

Think of AliExpress as your “training wheels.” Once you know what sells, you can switch to one of these platforms to build a real brand with faster shipping times and better quality control.

Is AliExpress Still Good for Dropshipping in 2025?

So here’s the big question: is AliExpress still worth it in 2025?

Short answer: Yes—but with limits.

AliExpress is still a fantastic platform for:

Beginners who want to test products without big investment.
People learning how dropshipping works.
Validating which niches/products are profitable.

But for scaling into a long-term brand, you’ll eventually want to move away from AliExpress to private agents or platforms like Zendrop.

Think of it like renting your first apartment. It’s not your dream home, but it gets the job done while you save up and figure things out.

Keyword focus: is AliExpress still good for dropshipping, AliExpress dropshipping 2025.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, AliExpress is an incredible stepping stone into the dropshipping world. It gives you access to millions of products, no upfront costs, and the chance to learn the ropes of running an online store.

Yes, it comes with challenges like shipping delays and supplier issues, but if you go in with the right mindset (and the tips we covered here), you’ll be way ahead of most beginners.

Here’s my friendly advice: use AliExpress to start, test, and learn. Then, once you’re making consistent sales, consider switching to faster and more reliable alternatives. That’s the path most successful dropshippers follow.

So, if you’ve been on the fence about starting dropshipping with AliExpress, here’s your sign: just start. The experience you’ll gain is worth more than overthinking.

Now go take that first step—because your future store isn’t going to build itself. 🚀