My AliExpress parcel isn’t arriving: what should I do?

Is your AliExpress order taking longer than expected? Are you wondering where your parcel is?

To understand why, we’ll go through it step by step, as if we were tracking your parcel’s journey from the moment of purchase to your mailbox.

So let’s try to find out why your AliExpress package isn’t arriving!

First step: check the parcel tracking

We’ll start with the easiest step: check exactly where your parcel is. To do this, log into your AliExpress account, then:

1. Go to “My Orders“
2. Find the relevant order
3. Click on “Track Order” (or similar wording)

Here are the statuses you might see:

• “Shipped” with no update for several days: the package is likely still in international transit.
• “Arrived in the destination country”: the package is probably being handled by USPS or another local carrier in the United States.
• “Delivered” even though you haven’t received anything: this could be due to an incorrect address or a delivery issue.

Important note: some economy shipping methods only provide partial tracking. You may only see “shipped” and then no further updates. In that case, you’ll simply have to wait.

Second step: identify the possible causes of delay

If the tracking hasn’t updated in a while, there are several possible explanations. Here are the five most common reasons, ranked by likelihood.

1. The parcel is still in international transit

Delivery times depend on the seller and the chosen shipping method:

• Shipped from China with standard shipping: expect 2 to 6 weeks.
• Shipped from a U.S. or nearby warehouse: expect about 5 to 10 days (if offered).

If you’re still within those timeframes, there’s no need to worry. Keep an eye on the tracking regularly.

2. The parcel is stuck at customs

International parcels are frequently held for inspection by customs, especially if:

• The package contains electronic items,
• The declared value is suspicious or incorrectly stated,
• The package is bulky or unusual.

This can extend the delivery time by several days or even more than a week.

Tip: for expensive or sensitive items, consider a shipping method with detailed tracking or shipping from a location within the U.S.

3. The local carrier is experiencing delays

Once in the United States, AliExpress parcels are often handled by USPS or other carriers like UPS or FedEx. Delays can happen in sorting centers, especially during peak periods (holidays, sales, etc.).

If the tracking says “arrived at sorting center,” you may still need to wait a few more days before delivery occurs.

4. The shipping address is incomplete or incorrect

Even a simple mistake in the street name, a missing apartment number, or an incorrect ZIP code can prevent your parcel from being delivered.

You can check the address used for the order in your purchase summary.

If you notice an error, contact the seller as soon as possible to see if they can correct it or reach out to the carrier.

Depending on the situation, here are three possibilities:

• The address doesn’t exist at all: the parcel can’t be delivered and will be returned to the sender.
• The parcel is delivered to the wrong address (for example, an old address you forgot to update): you can try to claim it from the current occupant, but they are not obliged to hand it over.
• The address is incomplete or unclear: in some cases, the parcel can be redirected to a pickup point if the carrier is able to reroute it.

5. The parcel is lost or returned

Sometimes, the parcel may be lost or returned to the sender. You might see these updates in the tracking:

• “Return to sender”
• “Delivery canceled”
• No updates for more than 20 days

In this case, it’s advisable to open a dispute to request a refund.

Third step: what to do if your parcel doesn’t arrive?

1. Contact the seller

From the order page, click “Contact Seller” and clearly explain the situation. You can ask for:

• A tracking update,
• An extension of the buyer protection period,
• A replacement shipment.

Some sellers will agree to send the item again at no extra cost if they confirm there is a shipping issue.

2. Open a dispute on AliExpress

If the seller isn’t responding or you haven’t received your parcel, you can open a dispute directly from your order page.

To do this:

1. Click on “Open Dispute“
2. Choose “Package not received“
3. Add a brief explanation and, if possible, a screenshot of the tracking information

AliExpress will review your request and usually offers a full refund if the order is late or lost.

3. Check the buyer protection end date

Each order is protected for a limited time (often 60 days). This date is shown on your order page.

If your parcel hasn’t arrived before this deadline, and you haven’t opened a dispute, you may no longer be eligible for a refund.

Tip: if your protection is about to expire, ask the seller to extend it before opening a dispute.

A few real-life scenarios

Case #1: The package is held at customs

The tracking says “Arrived in destination country” for 12 days.

It’s likely that the parcel is waiting for inspection. This kind of hold often resolves without needing any action from you.

Case #2: The package shows “delivered,” but you haven’t received anything

Most of the time, it was delivered to the wrong mailbox or to a neighbor.

Contact USPS or your local carrier to initiate an investigation.

Case #3: The package was returned to the sender

This can happen if the mailbox is inaccessible or if the carrier couldn’t complete the delivery.

Contact the seller to arrange a new shipment or request a refund.

Conclusion

If your AliExpress parcel isn’t arriving, start by checking the tracking information regularly to see if there are any updates. If you’re unsure or you have no news for several days, contact the seller to get more details. If the situation remains unresolved, don’t wait until the end of your buyer protection period: open a dispute directly from your account. This will allow you to request a refund if your parcel is lost or returned to the sender.

Generally, an AliExpress parcel can take up to 45 days to arrive. Tracking is the most reliable tool to find out where your order is, although it can sometimes be incomplete. Finally, the AliExpress buyer protection system is effective as long as you respect the deadlines and follow the correct procedures.