AliExpress has begun collecting tax at checkout and is changing its shipping method to Israel. At the same time, lower shipping costs are expected to make purchases on the site cheaper toward the end of the month, according to a source at the company.
The first major change is tax collection at checkout. If the value of a package exceeds $75, the site has begun collecting VAT before shipping, similar to Amazon, instead of the package being delayed at customs and the payment being collected in Israel by shipping companies on behalf of the Tax Authority.
AliExpress said shipping prices are expected to drop toward the end of the month
(Photo: Jirapong Manustrong/Shutterstock)
AliExpress also is introducing an upgrade to its delivery service. The company told customers that they can now update their pickup address on the site in a way that allows it to “match you with a more precise and convenient pickup point much closer to your home. This way, you can avoid long trips to distant pickup points and enjoy a simpler, more convenient and faster shopping experience. Less time on the road, more convenience when shopping.”
To update the address, users should go to Account → Settings → Shipping Address. The update is expected to create more accurate synchronization between the address and the delivery point.
Currently, packages from the site arrive at pickup points that are not chosen by the customer and are sometimes quite far from the customer’s home. Some delivery companies, such as Israel Post, allow customers to change the pickup point before the package arrives, provided the recipient notices the message sent about changing the pickup location.
According to the Alibuy groups on Facebook and Telegram, where the changes were first reported, AliExpress also said shipping prices are expected to drop toward the end of the month, leading to lower prices. In August, the site is expected to launch a “mega sale.”
Despite the recent wars, shipping from China has become faster, with packages arriving in Israel within a week to 10 days. The company also operates warehouses in Israel, allowing for even faster delivery. AliExpress is considered one of the most popular foreign shopping sites in Israel, alongside competitors such as Shein, Temu, Next, Amazon and iHerb.