Get products from AliExpress into your Shopify store quickly, with optimised listings that actually convert.
AliExpress remains one of the most popular sourcing platforms for Shopify dropshippers. With millions of products at wholesale prices, it's an easy way to build a product catalogue without holding inventory. But importing raw AliExpress listings directly results in broken English descriptions, watermarked images, and inconsistent branding. This guide shows you how to import properly and create listings customers trust.
Search AliExpress for your product and filter by 4.5+ star rating, 1000+ orders, and ePacket or AliExpress Standard shipping availability. Check the supplier's store age, feedback score, and communication responsiveness. Avoid suppliers with less than 6 months of history.
Message the supplier before ordering. Ask about processing time, customs declarations, and whether they can remove branding/invoices from packages.
Use an import tool to pull the product details into your Shopify store. The import should bring across all variants, images, and basic descriptions. Review the imported data immediately and don't publish until you've cleaned it up.
Replace the supplier's description entirely. Write a clear title with keywords, create benefit-focused bullet points, and add a compelling product description in your brand voice. Use AI tools to speed this up, but always review the output for accuracy.
Never use the supplier's images as your main photo. If possible, order a sample and take your own lifestyle photos.
Apply a minimum 3x markup on the total landed cost (product + shipping). Factor in transaction fees, ad costs, and a returns buffer. Research what competitors charge for similar products. Price within the market range unless you have a clear premium positioning.
Set up shipping zones and rates in Shopify. Be transparent about delivery times in your product description and shipping policy. Most AliExpress shipping takes 7-21 days. Consider offering free shipping by building the cost into your product price.
StoreLyst lets you import products from AliExpress with one click and automatically rewrites titles, descriptions, and SEO metadata using AI. Your listings arrive in Shopify optimised, branded, and ready to sell.
Yes, but competition is higher than ever. Success requires better product research, professional branding, optimised listings, and strong ad creative. The days of copying a listing and making money are over. You need to add value through branding and customer experience.
Standard AliExpress shipping takes 15-45 days. ePacket and AliExpress Standard Shipping take 7-21 days. Some suppliers offer warehouse shipping from the US or EU with 3-7 day delivery at higher cost. Always verify shipping times before importing.
Not if you do it right. Use custom packaging (many suppliers offer this), remove all AliExpress branding, rewrite product descriptions, and use professional product photos. The customer experience should feel like buying from a real brand.
Start with 10-20 well-curated products in a specific niche. Quality beats quantity. Each product should have a rewritten listing, proper images, and calculated margins. You can always add more once you identify what sells.
StoreLyst gives you the tools to implement everything you just learned — automatically.