Do you remember the days when ordering something from AliExpress meant “pay and forget” for two months? If you still think shipments from China take an eternity, we have news for you.
AliExpress has introduced a new standard called “Choice“. It’s not simply a marketing slogan – it is a complete overhaul of the logistics system that makes shopping almost as fast as local online stores.
In this article, we will look at what lies behind the yellow “Choice” label, how AliExpress Choice shipping works, and why it is the safest choice for buyers.
What is AliExpress Choice?
Simply put: Choice is AliExpress’s answer to the Amazon Prime service.
Until now, AliExpress operated as a marketplace where each seller was responsible for packing and shipping the item themselves. This created chaos – one would ship quickly, while another delayed for weeks.
With the “Choice” system, AliExpress takes control. These goods are not located in a random seller’s garage, but in official AliExpress (Cainiao) warehouses. This means that the moment you press “Buy”, a robot in the warehouse is already starting to pack your item.
3 Reasons Why “Choice” is a Game Changer
1. Fast Shipping (Guaranteed 10-Day Delivery)
The official promise is 10-day delivery, but in reality, “Choice” shipments often arrive in major countries within 5 to 7 days. Since items are shipped via optimized air mail and often from European distribution centers, they don’t get stuck in customs warehouses for weeks.
2. Free Shipping
One of the biggest advantages of “Choice” is the shipping cost.
- If your cart total exceeds a certain threshold (usually 10 EUR), shipping is completely free.
- Even if you buy a cheaper item, the shipping fee is usually symbolic (around 1.99 EUR), which is cheaper than standard shipments.
3. Free Returns
This is a revolution. Previously, returning an item to China was expensive – often costing more than the item itself.
“Choice” items come with free returns. If you don’t like the item or it doesn’t fit, you can send it back to a local or regional warehouse for free and get a refund. This makes buying clothes or more expensive electronics much safer.
Logistics: Why Is It More Reliable?
Many buyers are afraid of scammers. With “Choice”, the risk factor is reduced to a minimum.
- Verified Quality: For an item to be included in the “Choice” program, the seller and the item must meet high rating standards. You won’t see the “Choice” tag on questionable products with no reviews.
- Combined Delivery: If you order 5 different small items from the “Choice” section, they will all be packed into one large package. This means you won’t have to go to the parcel locker 5 times – you will receive everything in one go.
- Tracking: “Choice” shipments always have a real, working tracking number that works from the warehouse right to your door (or parcel locker).
How to Find and Filter Only “Choice” Items?
AliExpress has thousands of items, so it is important to know how to find exactly these ones.
- Search Filter: When entering an item in the search bar, check the “Choice” box in the top bar (in the mobile app) or on the left side (on a computer).
- Yellow Icon: Look for a bright yellow label with the text “Choice” in the product list.
- Special Section: The AliExpress homepage has a separate “Choice Day” or “Choice” section, which collects only offers from this program – often with additional discounts when buying 3 items at once (the so-called “Pick 3 for $5.99” offer).
Comparison: Standard Shipment vs. Choice
| Feature | Standard Shipment (Cainiao Super Economy) | AliExpress Choice |
| Delivery Speed | 30 – 60 days | 7 – 12 days |
| Tracking | Often disappears after the Chinese border | Full tracking |
| Consolidation | Arrives in separate packets | Combined in one package |
| Returns | Expensive and complicated | Free and simple |
| Reliability | Depends on the seller | Guaranteed by AliExpress |
Expert Verdict
If you see two identical items – one for 5.00 EUR with standard shipping and the other for 5.50 EUR with the “Choice” tag – always choose Choice.
That small price difference (if there is one at all) pays off with peace of mind, knowing that the item will arrive within a week, rather than getting lost halfway. “Choice” has made AliExpress a serious competitor to local stores, offering the same product cheaper, but with acceptable delivery speed.