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AliExpress is an online retail service based in China and made up of small businesses in China and other locations. 

Who can use AliExpress?

AliExpress offers products to international buyers from all major regions around the world. 

What can I buy on AliExpress?

AliExpress sells a wide array of products, from fashion, toys, and electronics to sports equipment. 

How much do I have to pay for shipping on AliExpress?

Most AliExpress sellers offer free shipping. However, this means you might have to wait a long time for your purchase to arrive and you won’t be given a tracking code. You can pay extra for faster shipping and a tracking number. 

Do I have to pay customs duty on items bought from AliExpress?

UK shoppers buying goods internationally will pay import VAT and duties on purchases above £135. Since Brexit, UK shoppers now have to pay customs charges on items imported from the EU as well. Items coming into the UK from China will be subject to the full rate of customs duty. 

How can I return items bought on AliExpress?

It’s free to return the items under AliExpress’s Free Return service but you are limited to three returned items per month. You are allowed 15 days from receiving your items to return your order. You can do this without explanation provided all items are in perfect condition and in their original packaging and any safety seals are not damaged and all labels are retained. If you return the items separately you may need to pay an additional shipping fee. The refund is returned using the original payment method you used. 

Will I get a refund on duty paid on items returned from AliExpress? 

Your AliExpress refund should include any shipping charges you paid when you made the purchase. However, the trader may charge you delivery costs if you requested non-standard delivery (such as express delivery).


You can claim a refund on duty (if you’re an importer, or representative of an importer, an agent, a freight forwarder or a private individual). However, it is unlikely you will be able to reclaim courier handling fees or the cost of sending goods back if you’ve paid to collect them. 

How do I apply for a duty refund?

You can make a duty refund claim within 90 days of the import date for unwanted items and up to a year from the return date for any damaged and defective items. 

If you make your claim via HMRC and get your claim wrong it could be rejected but if the claim is invalid due to missing details you won’t be notified so you need to make sure you fill in the right forms. It can also be quite hard to get feedback from HMRC on the forms if you have a question so the whole process can end up taking a long time to complete. 

Why use a digital refund service? 

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Using a service such as Duty Refunds is a hassle-free and less time-consuming alternative. The service is operated on a no-win, no-fee basis and an advisor will take all the necessary details and complete the forms on your behalf. 

This method of making your claim will cost you a single payment of 15% from your customs refund money after the claim is successfully paid. 

How can Duty Refunds help?

Duty Refunds is the only online import duty and tax refund platform for UK shoppers. We have simplified the often complicated and time-consuming process of refunding import charges on returned goods so that you can do your international online shopping with more confidence. 

Duty Refunds has helped customers refund their purchases amounting to half a million pounds and is rated 4.8 excellent on Trustpilot. We also work extremely closely and are integrated with courier companies (such as, DHL, DPD, Fedex and Parcelforce) and HMRC. 

If you think you’re eligible for a refund, reclaim your duty now.