Install for freeHow to Sell on AliExpress from the United States: U.S. Seller Guide 2026
AliExpress is no longer only a marketplace for China-based sellers. Through the AliExpressDirect initiative, the platform has started welcoming U.S.-based retailers and brands that want to reach AliExpress shoppers with local products, faster delivery options and a new international sales channel.
In this guide, we explain how selling on AliExpress from the United States works in 2026: who the platform is suitable for, how seller registration works, what information you may need to prepare, how to upload products, what fees and logistics issues to consider, which products are restricted and how to analyze demand before launching a store.
Quick answer:
U.S.-based retailers can apply to sell on AliExpress through the seller platform and AliExpressDirect program. To start, prepare your business information, tax details, legal representative information, bank account data, product catalog and shipping plan. Before opening a store, calculate your margin after product cost, shipping, returns, advertising, platform fees and payment costs. AliExpress may be useful for U.S. sellers who want an additional marketplace channel, especially if they can offer competitive prices, reliable delivery and clear product listings.
May be interesting: How to search on Aliexpress by image.
What is AliExpressDirect for U.S. sellers?
AliExpressDirect is an initiative that allows U.S.-based retailers and brands to sell on AliExpress. It is designed to make it easier for local businesses to join the marketplace, upload products and reach AliExpress shoppers.
During the introductory period announced by AliExpress, U.S. sellers could benefit from $0 onboarding costs and 0% commission. However, seller fees and program conditions may change, so always check the latest terms inside the official AliExpress seller platform before registering.
AliExpressDirect may be especially interesting for:
- U.S. retailers looking for an additional sales channel;
- brands that already have inventory and fulfillment processes;
- sellers with competitive prices and clear product catalogs;
- businesses that want to test AliExpress as a marketplace;
- sellers that can offer reliable shipping and customer service.
How to open a store on AliExpress
Register
1. Go to https://seller.aliexpress.com/;
2. Click on the “Join AliExpress” button;
3. Register on the platform by entering the required information: country, e-mail and password;
4. Choose the option that suits you best;
5. Next you will need to select a company type and enter your data. These include: name, registration code and authority, tax code, date and address of incorporation, location (if applicable), tax data, director information, etc., as well as the company name. Then fill in the “Fill in the business overview” and “Information audit” fields.
Trademark Indication
If you are an official representative of a third-party brand (in this case you will need to upload the relevant documents to the site) or you have your own brand, you can sell products under that brand while working with the store page. This step can be skipped, but specifying a brand is necessary to make it easier for customers to find you and give your range more chances to appear on their radar, especially if you sell from United States.
If you see that your own brand is being used by a third party store on AliExpress, you can file a complaint against them. This way they will not be able to sell using your intellectual property and you will prevent others from selling products without your authorization. This protects your ability to sell and ensures that you are the only one authorized to sell under your trademark.
Branded store design
One way to attract customers and more quickly establish a lasting relationship with them is to design your store page so that it stands out from the others. You can change your store name, logo, header (for mobile and desktop versions), put one or several banners on your store page. This will help you sell more, especially from United States. Now you know more about how to sell on AliExpress.
Could be interesting: How to find related items on AliExpress.
Logistics: how U.S. sellers can ship AliExpress orders
Logistics is one of the most important parts of selling on AliExpress. Buyers expect clear delivery dates, tracking and reliable shipping.
U.S. sellers should decide how they will fulfill orders before uploading products.
| Fulfillment option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Seller-fulfilled shipping | You store inventory and ship orders yourself or through your own carrier | Sellers with existing warehouse operations |
| Third-party fulfillment | A fulfillment partner stores and ships products for you | Sellers with growing order volume |
| Platform-supported logistics | You use logistics options supported by AliExpress, if available | Sellers who want simpler order handling |
| Local U.S. fulfillment | Products ship from the United States | Faster delivery to U.S. buyers |
| International shipping | Products ship across borders | Sellers targeting multiple countries |
Before choosing a shipping method, calculate delivery time, tracking quality, return cost, packaging cost and the risk of damaged or lost parcels.
Place the goods on the platform
What you cannot sell on AliExpress
AliExpress restricts or prohibits many product categories. Sellers must follow both marketplace rules and applicable laws in the countries where products are sold.
Common restricted or prohibited categories may include:
- counterfeit or trademark-infringing goods;
- weapons and ammunition;
- dangerous chemicals and hazardous materials;
- drugs and controlled substances;
- unauthorized medical products;
- tobacco and alcohol;
- products that violate child safety rules;
- illegal adult products;
- human or animal body parts;
- protected plants, animals or wildlife products;
- products that require licenses, certificates or special approvals.
Before listing products, check the current AliExpress prohibited products policy and the rules of your target markets.
Merchandise categories
On AliExpress, there is a catalog of categories in which you will have to upload your goods to sell. It is not possible to create new categories, so sellers must stick to the existing options. Please also note that in order to upload products to some categories (such as adult toys, food, medicinal and medical products, etc.) and sell these products, you will need to attach documents that allow you to sell and trade products from these categories on the territory of our country.
All existing categories on AliExpress can be viewed through a special catalog tree, which makes it easier for sellers to find and classify the products they want to sell. This category tree can be downloaded from the website, allowing sellers to search AliExpress for the right catalog to sell their products correctly on the platform.
Ways to download products
There are several ways to upload assortments to your AliExpress store to sell them from United States. They usually appear within seventy-two hours.
- Transferring items from other marketplaces using the XWAY service;
- With the help of a YML file;
- With the help of an XSL file;
- Through the API;
- In the Seller Center one by one manually.
It is also possible to combine several variants of the same product (models, colors, completeness, etc.) on a single tab manually or with the help of YML or XSL files.
Recommendations for filling in the product sheet
It is necessary to dwell on some nuances of the information to be indicated in the product sheet. The product title and main image are two of the most important elements of a listing, you should control how your product will look on the background of competitors’ offers.
1. In the product name indicate first the name, brand, and only then the main characteristics. Remember that the first 2 lines are displayed in the search results. However, if the features (quantity, size, material, etc.) are important, indicate them as well, as they will be taken into account in the search results. This will help you sell more;
2. Use high-resolution photos. Take photos of the item from all angles. Photos should accurately convey the color of the item and not be misleading about its size, material and other characteristics. Even if they are indicated on the product card. Most buyers are guided primarily by photos, if they are misled by them, they will direct negative feelings towards the seller;
3. Use a framed photo or a picture for the cover, it will stand out from the other offers to sell more. Do not put too much text or small details, it must be readable for people with vision problems from the mobile screen.
Assign prices and discounts
For sellers, AliExpress has added a “Price Index” tool that allows you to compare your prices with those of the same offers in other online stores. And sell more. If your prices are lower, the platform starts showing your offers higher in the search results. The price is calculated after all the discounts of your store for the current day.
And since we have already touched on the topic of discounts, I would like to point out one more nuance. Some sellers on AliExpress like to make fake discounts during big sales and not only. They write on the overpriced product sheet “before the sale” to give the impression that a big discount is provided. Less scrupulous representatives even inflate prices during the sale period. However, there are browser extensions that show the history of price changes on AliExpress. For example, AliHelper. If the buyer realizes that you are trying to cheat him, he will not buy from you and may even try to spoil your reputation. This can reduce buyer trust and hurt long-term sales.
Here, for example, in this case the seller wrote that this product used to cost $292.30, and now there is supposedly 30% off!
However, the price history shows that the $204.61 price was set on the day these screenshots were taken, and the item was much cheaper before.
Withdrawal of funds
Money for products sold arrives 14 days after the order is completed (most of the time this is considered to be when the buyer or the delivery service has confirmed receipt). You can withdraw them to your current account. However, if the buyer opens and wins a dispute, these funds will be deducted from your balance on the platform. Now you know more about how to sell on AliExpress.
Pros and cons of opening a store on AliExpress
Advantages of AliExpress for sellers
- Large audience. AliExpress is one of the most popular online stores in United States. Its reputation is improving every year;
- Tools and support. AliExpress provides stores with all the tools they need to sell products, including a platform for uploading purchase offers, processing orders and making payments. Technical support is also available for troubleshooting;
- Low start-up costs. Opening a store on AliExpress can be done with minimal start-up costs. There is no need to rent physical stores, no warehouses, and no need for a large number of employees;
- Personalized recommendations. The platform offers recommendations and analysis to improve your business. It can suggest which products are worth selling and what prices to set.
Disadvantages of AliExpress
- High competition. Due to the large number of sellers on AliExpress, competition can be fierce. To sell successfully, you will have to fight for buyers’ attention and find effective strategies to stand out. It’s not enough to simply sell products, you need to sell an engaging shopping experience, offering something unique or pricing competitively. Many sellers seek to sell at the lowest possible price, which can affect profit margins. To sell sustainably, it is key to find a balance between price, quality and product differentiation;
- Platform dependency. You will depend on AliExpress and its rules. They may impose restrictions and rules that you will have to comply with.
Is AliExpress worth it for U.S. sellers?
AliExpress may be worth testing if you already have products, inventory, product photos, fulfillment processes and competitive pricing. It can work as an additional marketplace channel, especially if your products are suitable for online discovery and international buyers.
AliExpress may be a good fit if you sell:
- beauty products;
- fashion accessories;
- refurbished electronics;
- cultural products;
- home goods;
- small consumer products;
- niche products with international demand;
- products that can ship reliably and affordably.
AliExpress may be harder if you sell:
- bulky products;
- fragile items;
- products with high return rates;
- items requiring complex installation;
- regulated goods;
- products with low margin after shipping and returns;
- goods that require strong local warranty support.
FAQ about how to sell on AliExpress
AliExpress seller fees and commissions
AliExpress seller fees may depend on the seller program, product category, country, promotion period and current marketplace rules. In many general guides, AliExpress commissions are often described as category-based. However, U.S. sellers should check the current terms inside AliExpressDirect or the official Seller Center before registering.
For U.S. retailers, AliExpress announced an introductory AliExpressDirect offer with $0 onboarding costs and 0% commission. These conditions may change, so sellers should always verify the current fee structure before calculating margins.
Possible cost items include:
- product compliance costs.
- platform commission;
- payment processing or payout costs;
- shipping and fulfillment;
- returns and refunds;
- advertising and promotions;
- discounts and coupons;
- packaging;
Now you know how to sell on AliExpress from United States. Selling on this platform for American stores can offer many opportunities, but it requires effort and careful preparation. If you follow the steps above and continue to learn and adapt, you will be able to successfully sell on this shopping platform. Good luck on your entrepreneurial journey!
Can U.S. sellers sell on AliExpress?
AliExpress has started welcoming U.S.-based retailers through the AliExpressDirect initiative. Eligibility, fees and onboarding rules may change, so U.S. sellers should check the current requirements in the official AliExpress Seller Center before applying.
What is AliExpressDirect?
AliExpressDirect is an initiative for U.S.-based retailers and brands that want to sell on AliExpress. During the introductory period announced by AliExpress, U.S. sellers could benefit from $0 onboarding costs and 0% commission, but current terms should always be verified before registration.
Do I need a registered business to sell on AliExpress from the United States?
AliExpress is mainly suitable for businesses, retailers and brands that can provide business information, tax details, identity verification and payout information. Check the current Seller Center requirements before applying.
How much does it cost to sell on AliExpress?
Fees may depend on product category, seller program, country and current AliExpress rules. U.S. sellers should check the current AliExpressDirect or Seller Center fee structure before calculating margins.
What products should U.S. sellers sell on AliExpress?
Good options are products that are easy to ship, easy to describe and have clear demand: beauty tools, fashion accessories, home goods, cultural products, small electronics, hobby items and niche lifestyle products. Avoid regulated, fragile, oversized or low-margin products unless you understand the risks.
Can I sell branded products on AliExpress?
Only if you have the right to sell them. If you sell your own brand, prepare brand documents. If you sell third-party brands, you may need authorization. Avoid counterfeit or trademark-infringing goods.
How do U.S. sellers ship AliExpress orders?
Sellers can use their own fulfillment, third-party fulfillment, local U.S. shipping or platform-supported logistics if available. The best option depends on delivery time, tracking, cost, returns and target market.
How do I get paid as an AliExpress seller?
Payout rules depend on order completion, delivery confirmation, buyer protection and dispute status. Check the Seller Center for payout timing, withdrawal methods, currency conversion and dispute rules.
Is AliExpress better than Amazon or eBay for U.S. sellers?
Not always. AliExpress can be an additional sales channel, especially for sellers targeting international buyers or testing marketplace demand. Amazon and eBay may be stronger for domestic U.S. sales, faster delivery and established local buyer habits.
How can AliHelper help sellers?
AliHelper can help sellers analyze public marketplace signals: price history, similar products, seller ratings, discounts and competing listings. It is useful for understanding how buyers compare products before purchasing.
