EU fines AliExpress €550 million over illegal product sales
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The European Commission fined Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress €550 million ($629 million) for violating the Digital Services Act by failing to prevent the sale of illegal, counterfeit, and unsafe products. The regulator found that the platform lacked effective moderation, allowing hazardous toys and toxic cosmetics to be sold for weeks. AliExpress has until October 20 to submit a remediation plan or face additional penalties.
The Violations
The European Commission's investigation, launched in 2024 under the DSA, found that AliExpress failed to implement effective measures to reduce the risk of illegal products. According to the Commission, the platform had a shortage of moderators relative to its massive product volume. Unscrupulous sellers deliberately changed product categories to bypass filters, and even after being caught selling counterfeits, offending stores continued operating.
The Fine and Deadline
The €550 million fine is one of the largest ever imposed under the DSA. AliExpress has until October 20, 2026, to submit a detailed plan to address all violations. If the platform fails to comply, the Commission may impose additional fines. The company has stated it disagrees with the ruling and is considering an appeal, calling the penalty disproportionate.
What's Next
AliExpress must present its remediation plan to the European Commission by October 20. It remains unclear whether the company will appeal the fine or how quickly it can implement the required changes to avoid further penalties.
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EU fines AliExpress €550 million over illegal product sales
