Analysis of Commission Waiver and Shipping Requirements for AliExpress Semi-Managed Mode

Detailed Explanation of AliExpress Semi-Managed Commission Reduction Policy and Shipping Requirements

In recent years, cross-border e-commerce platforms have emerged like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. As one of the global retail platforms under Alibaba, AliExpress has always been committed to providing small and medium-sized enterprises with convenient channels for going overseas. Recently, AliExpress launched a semi-managed model for some merchants, accompanied by a series of preferential policies, including commission reduction. This move undoubtedly brings new opportunities and challenges to cross-border sellers.

So-called semi-managed mode means that logistics, warehousing, and after-sales services and other links are handled by AliExpress official, while merchants only need to focus on product design and development. This mode can effectively reduce operating costs and improve work efficiency. For example, according to AliExpress official data, in the second quarter of 2025, the average order volume of merchants participating in the semi-managed plan increased by 35%, and the return rate dropped by 20%. This shows that this model indeed helps many merchants enhance their market competitiveness.

However, enjoying these benefits is not easy. First of all, joining the semi-managed mode requires meeting certain conditions. According to AliExpress regulations, only those merchants who perform well on the platform and have stable supply capacity are eligible to apply. Specifically, applicants must maintain at least a 95% shipping success rate over the past three months and ensure that all products meet relevant quality standards. Merchants also need to submit detailed business plans to AliExpress in advance, including but not limited to product line planning and target customer group analysis.

Once approved as a semi-managed merchant, you can enjoy multiple preferential measures. Among them, the most eye-catching is the commission reduction policy. Usually, AliExpress charges 6%-8% commission for each transaction, but if the order is completed through the semi-managed mode, up to 50% of the commission can be refunded. Taking an electronic product as an example, if its regular price is $100, then according to the ordinary commission ratio calculation, the merchant needs to pay about $7 as platform service fee; while under the semi-managed mode, this fee will be reduced to about $3.5. Obviously, such a discount is highly attractive for small and medium-sized enterprises pursuing maximum profit.

Besides commission reduction, AliExpress also emphasized the importance of shipping timeliness. In order to ensure consumer experience, the platform requires all semi-managed orders to complete collection and upload logistics information within 48 hours. This means that merchants not only need to prepare goods within the specified time, but also closely cooperate with the cooperating logistics companies to ensure that packages can be sent out in time. It is worth noting that failure to fulfill on time will not only affect shop ratings, but may also lead to restrictions on subsequent cooperation.

Of course, any commercial behavior carries risks. Although the semi-managed mode seems perfect, there are still some potential problems worth being cautious about. On the one hand, due to losing direct control over the supply chain, some merchants may face inventory backlog or stockout situations; on the other hand, as more and more enterprises enter this field, market competition becomes increasingly fierce, and how to maintain differentiated advantages will become the key.

In conclusion, AliExpress' semi-managed commission reduction policy and shipping requirements have undoubtedly opened up a new path for cross-border e-commerce practitioners. However, in order to go further on this path, merchants still need to make more efforts to adapt to the changing market environment. After all, product quality and service level are always the core elements to win customer trust. In the future development process, AliExpress will continue to adhere to an open and inclusive attitude, constantly optimize various services, and help more enterprises reach the world stage.