EU Dropshipping vs AliExpress: What Actually Works in 2026

AliExpress dropshipping still dominates YouTube tutorials and Reddit threads.
But for Shopify stores targeting European customers, it often breaks down fast.

If you’re deciding between EU dropshipping and AliExpress, this guide walks through what actually works in 2026 — without hype.

How AliExpress dropshipping works

Classic AliExpress dropshipping is simple on paper:

you import products from a marketplace
orders are forwarded to overseas suppliers
suppliers ship directly to customers

This works well for testing demand or selling low-urgency products.

But it comes with trade-offs.

Why AliExpress struggles in Europe

European customers expect more than cheap prices.

Common problems with AliExpress dropshipping in the EU:

long and unpredictable delivery times
customs delays and VAT handling
inconsistent tracking updates
high refund and chargeback rates
limited control over fulfillment quality

For stores that promise fast delivery, these issues quickly become conversion killers.

What EU dropshipping does differently

EU dropshipping focuses on local or regional suppliers instead of global marketplaces.

That means:

products ship from within Europe
delivery times are often 24–72 hours
VAT and invoices are handled correctly
returns are easier and cheaper
tracking is more reliable

For Shopify merchants selling to EU customers, this aligns much better with expectations.

Cost comparison: EU suppliers vs AliExpress

AliExpress often looks cheaper per product — but that’s misleading.

Hidden operational costs include:

refunds due to delivery delays
customer support overhead
lost repeat customers
ad spend wasted on bad fulfillment

EU dropshipping usually costs more per item, but reduces operational chaos and improves lifetime value.

When AliExpress still makes sense

AliExpress isn’t always wrong.

It can still be useful for:

testing new product ideas
non-urgent, low-value items
markets outside the EU

The problems start when stores try to scale serious EU operations with tools that weren’t built for it.

Why most EU stores eventually switch

As stores grow, they need:

multiple suppliers
inventory synchronization
split carts and partial fulfillments
predictable delivery promises

That’s where EU dropshipping setups outperform AliExpress workflows.

Choosing the right EU dropshipping setup

A solid EU setup usually includes:

reliable EU suppliers
structured product feeds (CSV, XML or API)
automation for inventory and orders
tracking pushed back to Shopify

👉 You can browse examples in the Fulviro supplier directory.

For a deeper look at how these operations work, see
👉 How EU dropshipping really works

Final thoughts

AliExpress can help you start.
EU dropshipping helps you build something sustainable.

If your customers are in Europe, your fulfillment should be too.

👉 Learn why Fulviro exists to solve this exact problem:
Why Fulviro exists

👉 Ready to move beyond AliExpress?
Join the Fulviro waitlist

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