AliExpress Exports Drop 10.9% to $9.8B as Freight Rates Surge
BABA•China’s e-commerce exports via AliExpress fell 10.9% year-on-year to $9.8 billion in April, the fifth straight monthly decline after the US ended its $800 duty-free de minimis exemption. Air freight rates jumped 36% to the US and 39% to Europe, prompting sellers to raise cart prices by ~$2.
1. Declining Exports
China’s exports via AliExpress dropped 10.9% year-on-year in April to $9.8 billion, marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline after the US ended its $800 de minimis duty-free exemption on May 2, 2025.
2. Rising Freight Costs
Jet fuel–driven air freight rates surged 36% to the US and 39% to Europe year-on-year, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher and increased shipping expenses for Chinese e-commerce sellers.
3. Margin Squeeze and Price Hikes
Sellers on AliExpress raised cart prices by approximately $2 to offset an average $1 increase in shipping costs, while the EU’s new 3-euro parcel tax, effective July 1, poses additional cost pressures.
