The European Commission is fining the Chinese online retailer AliExpress €550 million for failing to stop the sale of illegal, unsafe, or counterfeit products. The Commission says the platform breaks the Digital Services Act (DSA) by not monitoring its listings properly.
Brussels says AliExpress employs too few staff to check what sellers place on the site. Illegal items appear in advertisements or show up as recommended products. The platform often removes these items only after a delay, which allows counterfeit goods, unsafe toys, and dangerous cosmetics to remain online for weeks.
The Commission also says AliExpress does not track whether removed illegal products return later. Its investigation shows that sellers offering illegal goods could continue their activities without meaningful limits.
European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen (Technological Sovereignty) says the large number of products on the site is “no excuse.” She says AliExpress must identify and address risks systematically so consumers can shop safely.
AliExpress must submit an action plan by 20 October explaining how it will improve compliance. If it fails to do so, Brussels may impose further fines for continued violations of the DSA.
In late May, the Commission fined the Chinese online retailer Temu €200 million for similar shortcomings. At that time, it was the highest penalty under the DSA.
The Commission is still investigating Shein. It may be violating EU digital laws through the sale of illegal products, such as child‑like sex dolls, and through the addictive design of its website.
@ANP | News Brainport
