Global e-commerce giant AliExpress has suspended several of its low-cost shipping options to Pakistan, following sweeping customs reforms that have disrupted access to cross-border delivery services. The move, which also affects Sri Lanka, is the result of regulatory actions taken by customs authorities in both countries, particularly a crackdown on discounted logistics routes that had long supported the affordability of Chinese goods for Pakistani consumers.
In a message sent to its sellers, AliExpress confirmed that it has begun offline processing for shipments to Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to “uncertainty around new customs tax policies.” Although the precise details of the regulatory changes have not yet been made public, the impact is already evident, with popular and budget-friendly shipping choices disappearing from the platform.
Starting July 7, 2025, sellers on AliExpress will no longer be able to select the now-restricted shipping routes when processing logistics orders or filing shipping declarations. This effectively disables the use of affordable services such as AliExpress Standard Shipping and Cainiao—two delivery methods that had played a key role in making Chinese goods accessible to millions of Pakistani buyers at minimal or no shipping cost.
The halt follows what appears to be a coordinated effort by Pakistani customs to tighten enforcement on under-invoiced or duty-exempt packages that often slipped through the system via ultra-low-cost shipping channels. These routes had allowed consumers to purchase electronics, accessories, clothing, and household items for just a few dollars, bypassing high import duties and taxes. With these channels now offline, the affordability and ease that once defined the AliExpress shopping experience in Pakistan may no longer be viable.
AliExpress has advised sellers to stay alert for further developments and adjust their shipping templates to avoid delays or compliance issues. While there is no confirmed timeline for the resumption of suspended routes, e-commerce stakeholders warn that without a rollback or clarification of the new customs rules, the disruption could persist indefinitely.
The development comes at a time when Pakistan’s e-commerce sector is already reeling from new tax measures introduced in the FY25 budget. Industry representatives have called on the government to reconsider what they see as overly aggressive taxation policies that threaten to stifle online retail growth.
