Dropshipping has become a popular alternative to building your own eCommerce store in recent years.
With a dropshipping business, you don’t spend resources on creating products or warehousing them – instead, you buy items from a third-party supplier and sell them at a markup.
Dropshipping is especially attractive for those interested in starting their first business as it minimizes both start-up costs and risk.
If you’re interested in starting a dropshipping business with AliExpress, it’s essential to understand the shipping options and estimated shipping times before you get started. Let’s take a closer look!
What are the available shipping methods when dropshipping from AliExpress?
According to AliExpress Help Center, there are over 20 shipping methods to choose from. These include services from AliExpress Standard Shipping, Cainiao Shipping, DHL, FedEx, ePacket, China Post, and more.
The sheer number of available options can seem overwhelming for many new dropshippers. However, here are the top three major shipping options that offer reasonable delivery time:
AliExpress Standard Shipping:
AliExpress Standard Shipping is a basic option that offers modest benefits.
With Standard Shipping, you can expect shipments to deliver within 30 days. However, AliExpress Standard Shipping offers basic tracking only, which means you won’t be able to track your package every step during transit.
Cainiao Super Economy Global:
Another option to consider is Cainiao Super Economy Global. This shipping method takes around 40 days before the package arrives at its destination.
However, this option does not offer tracking as a basic option, which can be inconvenient if you want to monitor your package during transit. Additionally, it only ships parcel less than 2 KG.
Cainiao Expedited Standard:
If you are looking for a shipping method with quick delivery times and tracking, you may want to consider the Cainiao Expedited Standard shipping option.
With this option, you can expect items to arrive within 20 days – but it comes at a higher price than other options. And as with most shipping methods that offer to track, you’ll have to pay extra for it with the Expedited Standard shipping option.
How long does shipping really take?
It’s no secret that supply chain issues and recent staffing shortages have extended the delivery time of many shipments. This is especially true when you consider the sheer number of packages being sent every day worldwide.
In addition, the estimated delivery time for most shipping services tends to be longer during peak holiday seasons. For example, shipping times can take up to 3 weeks during Christmas due to an increase in volume from online shoppers.
When using AliExpress, you will need to take note of the “Processing” time. This refers to the time you place an order on AliExpress to the moment the AliExpress seller ships out the parcel and updates the tracking numbers.
As many AliExpress sellers are resellers, it is important to consider this extra processing time. For many, this processing can take up to seven business days.
In addition, you must also take note of your country’s customs clearance time. Some countries have much longer customs clearance times than others.
Once the shipment passes processing, it is shipped based on the selected service. This means that, in general, shipments can take 30-40 days on average.
Is there truly “free shipping?” What are the costs behind “free shipping?”
Major retailers such as Amazon have given rise to an expectation for “free shipping.” While customers may enjoy the benefits of free shipping, the truth is that there are still costs involved.
AliExpress sellers often include the shipping cost into the product selling price. Though the overall cost is so low that people don’t notice it, the shipping cost is not free. Even in the world of dropshipping, there is no such thing as “free shipping”!
How do I track orders and sync tracking numbers back to my Shopify store?
Shopify has become one of the most popular dropshipping methods on eCommerce. One reason is Shopify’s effective user interface that allows users to set up their own online store quickly.
Another reason is that Shopify has some of the most intuitive integrations on the market today. This means you can easily sync all your orders coming from various eCommerce platforms into one convenient location for you to manage and monitor.
There are several Shopify apps (paid and free) that allow you to sync tracking numbers from AliExpress to your Shopify store. By integrating these apps with your Shopify account, you can see the status of every order that comes from AliExpress.
In addition to tracking orders, you can also create customized email templates that will send out when a specific event occurs. The best part is that you don’t have to manage this information yourself. Integrations will sync all your data and update your online store accordingly.
Does shipping time matter?
AliExpress is known for its huge selection with incredibly low prices. Therefore, many AliExpress shoppers are willing to wait for their favorite products to arrive at their doorsteps later than usual.
However, it is crucial to be aware that some customers may not want to wait as long and prefer a faster shipping time. Some might even choose another platform if it guarantees delivery within a specific time frame (such as Amazon).
It is critical that you have both an effective shipping system in place and a strong customer service process to accommodate any last-minute requests.
Pay close attention to your order fulfillment time and ensure you can meet customer expectations – and grow your customer base quickly!
Invest in your shipping to boost your eCommerce success.
In conclusion, the shipping times and options vary depending on the AliExpress seller, your selected shipping service, and your country’s customs clearances. It is vital to take note of these factors before you become an AliExpress dropshipper.
While customers may enjoy “free shipping,” it doesn’t come without costs involved. Though there are no shipping guarantees, if you use AliExpress, Shopify apps can help you monitor your order’s status at all times.
With most shipping services taking 30+ days to deliver, strong customer service is essential. Keep your customers happy, and you can avoid high refund rates and negative feedback.
If you want to see your business grow, invest in a reliable dropshipping supplier that can connect you directly with factories, offer express shipping, and provide automation solutions to a changing market.
At HyperSKU, our team of experienced eCommerce experts will connect you with some of the best suppliers and factories (yes, skipping the line of AliExpress sellers), and provide a variety of automation software to help manage your orders.
Learn more about how HyperSKU can help you solve your AliExpress shipping needs – and how to take the next step in your dropshipping journey with an experienced 3PL provider and dropshipping supplier.