Avoiding Customs Fees When Buying from AliExpress

Shopping on AliExpress is like hitting the global bargain jackpot—crazy-low prices, quirky gadgets, and fashion steals you won’t find at your local mall. But here’s the plot twist: that $5 phone case might come with a surprise bill from customs. Yikes! The good news? With a few smart moves, you can dodging customs fees like a pro. Let’s break down how to keep your international hauls fee-free—without breaking any rules.

Why Do You Get Charged Customs Fees?

Simple: your country taxes imported goods above a certain value. That threshold—the “de minimis” value—varies by country. If your package sneaks under it, you’re golden. Go over? Boom—customs knock on your door (digitally, via email or SMS).

For example, in the United States, imports under $800 are duty-free thanks to the de minimis rule. Canada? Only $20 CAD. The EU hovers around €150. So your shopping strategy should depend heavily on where you live.

Smart Strategies to Avoid Fees

• Split Your Orders: Buy multiple low-value items across separate orders. Most sellers won’t combine them into one high-value package.
• Choose ePacket or Standard Shipping: These often bypass heavy scrutiny compared to express couriers like DHL or FedEx, which routinely assess duties.
• Ask Sellers to Mark as 'Gift' or 'Sample' with Low Value: While not foolproof, many sellers will declare a lower value (e.g., $10 instead of $60) to help you avoid fees. Just don’t abuse this—it’s a gray area.
• Use AliExpress Saver Shipping: This method is slower but less likely to trigger customs checks.

De Minimis Values Around the World

Here’s a quick reference table showing key thresholds:

Real Talk: Does "Low Declaration" Work?

Yes… sometimes. Many AliExpress sellers are happy to mark packages as “gifts” with reduced declared values. But be cautious: outright lying on customs forms is illegal. However, slight undervaluation (e.g., from $45 to $15) is widely tolerated for personal use items.

Pro tip: In the order notes, write something like: "Please declare as gift, value under $20 for customs purpose. Thank you!" Politeness goes a long way.

What NOT to Do

• Don’t buy high-risk items like branded electronics or luxury knockoffs—they get flagged fast.
• Avoid express shipping if you're near the threshold. Couriers auto-charge fees and add handling costs.
• Never lie about contents. Calling a drone a “plastic toy” might sound clever, but customs X-rays don’t play along.

The Bottom Line

Avoiding customs fees isn’t about gaming the system—it’s about shopping smarter. Know your country’s de minimis limit, split orders, choose the right shipping, and communicate politely with sellers. Done right, you’ll enjoy AliExpress’s unbeatable prices without the invoice shock.

So go ahead—fill that cart. Just keep it under the radar, and your wallet will thank you.