Temu and AliExpress make the same promise: factory-direct goods for a few euros or dollars. In 2026 the rules around them changed more than the apps did. The EU now adds a customs duty and a handling fee to every low-value parcel, the US has ended duty-free imports, and both platforms have been fined under the EU Digital Services Act. This comparison covers prices, range, delivery, returns, safety and the new fees, so you know what an order really costs today.
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What changed in 2026
- 1 July: the EU dropped its €150 duty-free threshold and introduced a flat €3 customs duty per product type on parcels from outside the EU.
- 1 November: an EU-wide €2 handling fee per product type was added on top.
- DSA fines: Temu was fined €200 million in May and AliExpress €550 million in July over illegal and unsafe products.
- Local warehouses: both platforms ship more orders from inside the EU and the US, where these per-parcel charges don't apply.
Quick verdict
7.7
Temu
Simpler app, easier returns and the lowest prices on everyday items. The better pick for most casual shoppers.
7.4
AliExpress
A far bigger catalogue with brand stores and niche sellers. The better pick when you need something specific.
Choose Temu if
- You mostly buy cheap home goods, gifts and gadgets
- You want a 90-day return window without disputes
- You like a clean app with fewer choices to make
- You want a refund of the difference if the price drops within 30 days
Choose AliExpress if
- You need a specific spare part, tool or hobby item
- You compare sellers, specs and ratings before buying
- You buy electronics from official brand stores
- You filter for Choice items with faster delivery and free returns
Temu
AliExpress
Prices
Product range
Delivery speed
Returns & protection
App & experience
Customer support
Product safety & trust
How we score: each category gets 1–10 points based on official platform policies, delivery promises, EU regulatory findings and public review data, checked in November 2026. The overall score is the simple average of all seven categories.
Temu vs AliExpress at a glance
| Feature | Temu | AliExpress |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | PDD Holdings (also owns Pinduoduo) | Alibaba Group |
| Launched | 2022 (EU since 2023) | 2010 |
| Average monthly users in the EU | ~124 million (H1 2026) | ~104 million |
| Catalogue | Curated, trend-driven | Very large open marketplace with brand stores |
| Typical delivery | ~5–15 days standard, faster from local warehouses | ~7–15 days on Choice, 15–45 days from many other sellers |
| Return window | 90 days on most items | 90 days on items with a free-returns badge; otherwise dispute-based |
| Free return shipping | First return per order | On eligible Choice / free-returns items |
| Price-drop refund | Yes, within 30 days | No standard policy |
| Late-delivery compensation | Credit to your Temu balance | Coupon on guaranteed orders |
| EU DSA fine | €200 million (May 2026) | €550 million (July 2026) |
| Best for | Casual bargain shoppers | Niche buyers, hobbyists, resellers |
What is Temu?
Temu is an online marketplace launched in 2022 by PDD Holdings, the company behind China's Pinduoduo. It reached the EU in 2023 and now reports around 124 million average monthly users there. For much of its catalogue, Temu itself sets prices and organises marketing and shipping, which keeps listings uniform and prices low.
The model is changing. After the US ended duty-free imports for low-value parcels in 2025, Temu moved its US orders to local sellers and warehouses. In Europe it has also added local sellers and EU warehouse stock, which delivers faster and avoids the new per-parcel fees.
What is AliExpress?
AliExpress is Alibaba Group's international marketplace, running since 2010 and used by about 104 million people a month in the EU. Unlike Temu, it is an open marketplace: thousands of independent sellers and official brand stores list products, set their own prices and often ship themselves. That's why the catalogue is huge, and why quality and delivery vary from seller to seller.
The AliExpress Choice programme narrows that gap. Choice items qualify for free shipping, faster delivery, delivery guarantees and free returns in many countries. AliExpress also stocks items in local warehouses, with delivery in roughly 2–8 days.
Feature-by-feature comparison
1. Prices
Both platforms are cheap, but in different ways. Temu controls pricing on much of its catalogue, runs constant flash deals and refunds the difference if an item's price drops within 30 days of payment. For single low-cost items such as kitchen gadgets, phone accessories or décor, it usually shows the lowest checkout price.
AliExpress has more competition per product. For specific or technical goods, multi-unit packs and anything bought during big sales like 11.11, sellers often undercut Temu.
In the EU, the new duty and handling fee apply to cross-border parcels on both platforms, and they are charged per product type. A basket of five different cheap items now costs noticeably more than five units of the same item. Always compare the final checkout total, not the item price.
Winner: Temu for everyday items, AliExpress for niche and bulk buys
2. Product range
This is AliExpress's clear advantage. Its open marketplace covers almost every niche: electronic components, car and bike parts, craft supplies, tools, replacement batteries and accessories for devices that mainstream shops no longer support. Many electronics brands also run official stores there.
Temu's catalogue is narrower and built around what is selling right now: home, fashion, toys, seasonal goods and simple gadgets. That makes browsing easier, but if you need an exact model or a rare part, you will often not find it.
Winner: AliExpress
3. Shipping and delivery
Temu's standard shipping is free on most orders and usually arrives within one to two weeks, and express shipping is faster. If a package hasn't arrived within 30 days of shipment, you can request a refund or a reshipment.
AliExpress has closed much of the gap with Choice and local warehouses. Outside those programmes, delivery depends on the seller's shipping method and can still take several weeks.
AliExpress, local warehouse
Temu, express
Temu, standard
AliExpress Choice
AliExpress, other sellers
0153045 days
Winner: Temu, narrowly. AliExpress Choice is close.
4. Returns and buyer protection
Temu gives you 90 days from purchase to return most items, and some electronics have a shorter window. The first return on each order is free. In the US, additional returns from the same order cost $7.99, deducted from the refund. Once you request a return, you have 14 days to send it.
AliExpress has two systems. Items with a free-returns badge, including many Choice products, can be returned within 90 days, with the first return per order free. Everything else goes through Buyer Protection: you open a dispute with the seller if an item doesn't arrive or isn't as described, and return shipping may be on you. Don't confirm receipt until you've checked the order, because confirming ends your protection window.
| Protection | Temu | AliExpress |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | 90 days from purchase (most items) | 90 days on free-returns items; dispute-based otherwise |
| Free return shipping | ✅ First return per order | ✅ Only on eligible items |
| Item not delivered | Refund or reshipment after 30 days | Full refund if not delivered by the promised date |
| Late delivery | Credit within 48 hours of the latest delivery date | Coupon on orders with a delivery guarantee |
| Price drop after purchase | ✅ Difference refunded within 30 days | ❌ |
Winner: Temu
5. App and shopping experience
Temu's app is built for quick, impulsive browsing: big images, simple product pages and constant deals. The downside is the gamification. Spin-the-wheel coupons, countdowns and frequent notifications push you to buy more than you planned, so it helps to switch off promotional notifications.
AliExpress is busier but gives you more control. You get detailed filters, seller ratings, store age, Choice and local-warehouse labels, and buyer photos on most listings. Experienced shoppers use these to avoid weak sellers, but beginners can find it overwhelming.
Winner: Temu for simplicity, AliExpress for control
6. Customer support
Temu handles support centrally through in-app chat and responds quickly. On Trustpilot it replies to almost every negative review, typically within a day. AliExpress routes most problems to the seller first and steps in only when a dispute escalates, which takes longer.
Neither platform has a strong public reputation: both sit at roughly 2 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Complaints focus on delays, refunds and items that differ from photos.
Winner: Temu
7. Product safety and trust (new in 2026)
Both platforms are designated Very Large Online Platforms under the EU Digital Services Act, and both have now been fined. In May 2026 the European Commission fined Temu €200 million for failing to properly assess the risk of illegal products. Its mystery-shopping tests found many chargers failing basic safety checks and many baby toys posing medium-to-high risks.
In July 2026 AliExpress was fined €550 million, the largest DSA fine so far. The Commission found it hadn't adequately tackled illegal, unsafe and counterfeit products and hadn't enforced penalties against bad traders. Both companies call their fines disproportionate, and AliExpress has said it will appeal.
Safer buying on either platform
- Avoid unbranded chargers, power banks and anything that plugs into the mains
- Be careful with toys for small children, cosmetics and skin-contact items
- Prefer official brand stores, local sellers and items with clear CE marking
Winner: Tie. Neither platform earns full trust yet.
Customs duties and fees in 2026
European Union
Until mid-2026, parcels worth under €150 entered the EU duty-free, and buyers paid only VAT. That has changed:
- €3 customs duty since 1 July 2026, charged per product type in a parcel. This is a temporary rate until July 2028, when normal tariffs are due to replace it.
- €2 handling fee since 1 November 2026, also per product type. It is permanent and will be reviewed every two years.
Together that is €5 per product type on top of VAT. A parcel with three dresses pays €5, while a parcel with a dress, a toy and a phone case pays €15. Platforms collect these charges and may show them at checkout or build them into prices. After the duty came in, small-parcel imports into the EU fell by about 60% between July and September.
1 product type
€5
e.g. 3 identical T-shirts
3 product types
€15
e.g. T-shirt, toy, phone case
5 product types
€25
a typical mixed "haul"
How to pay less: group purchases of the same type into one order, and look for local warehouse labels on both platforms. Goods shipped from inside the EU were imported in bulk, so the per-parcel duty and fee don't apply to your order.
United States
The US ended its duty-free exemption for low-value imports in 2025. Temu responded by switching US orders to local sellers and warehouses, and items labelled as local carry no import charges at checkout. On both platforms, items shipped from abroad may now show import charges before you pay.
Ukraine
Parcels to Ukraine worth up to €150 are still duty- and VAT-free as of November 2026. Parliament is discussing a 20% VAT on low-value marketplace parcels, but under current drafts it would not apply before 2027.
Real-world scenarios
Cheap gadget or gift
Temu usually has the lower final price and simpler returns. Check for a local-warehouse version first.
Best pick: Temu
Exact spare part
AliExpress's open marketplace is far more likely to stock it, often in several versions from different sellers.
Best pick: AliExpress
Mixed haul to the EU
Expect up to €40 in duty and fees if all eight are different product types. Local-warehouse stock on either platform avoids them.
Best pick: whichever has local stock
Clothes you may return
Temu's 90-day window and free first return make trying sizes easier. On AliExpress, filter for free-returns items.
Best pick: Temu
Which platform is right for you?
| You are… | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time bargain shopper | Temu | Simple app, uniform listings, easy returns |
| Home and décor shopper | Temu | Low prices on trending everyday items |
| Hobbyist or DIY maker | AliExpress | Components, tools and supplies in every niche |
| Electronics buyer | AliExpress | Official brand stores and detailed specs |
| Reseller or bulk buyer | AliExpress | Multi-unit pricing and direct contact with sellers |
| Parent buying toys | Neither by default | Both fined over unsafe toys; prefer brand stores or local retailers |
Pros and cons
Temu
Pros
- Lowest prices on everyday items
- 90-day returns, first return free
- Price-drop refunds within 30 days
- Clean, beginner-friendly app
- Fast central support
Cons
- Narrower, trend-driven catalogue
- Pushy gamification and notifications
- €200M EU fine over unsafe products
- Mixed baskets now cost more in the EU
AliExpress
Pros
- Huge catalogue, including niche parts
- Official brand stores for electronics
- Choice: faster delivery, free returns on eligible items
- Detailed filters and seller information
Cons
- Quality and delivery vary by seller
- Disputes outside Choice can be slow
- Record €550M EU fine over illegal products
- Busy interface for beginners
Final verdict: Temu or AliExpress?
For most casual shoppers, Temu is the better choice in 2026. It wins on everyday prices, returns, ease of use and support. The 90-day return window and price-drop refunds remove much of the risk of buying cheap goods online.
AliExpress is the better choice when you know exactly what you need. For spare parts, hobby supplies, specific electronics and multi-unit orders, its marketplace is unmatched. Filtering for Choice and local-warehouse items brings delivery and returns close to Temu's level.
Whichever you use, 2026 changed the maths for EU buyers. Small mixed orders now carry €5 per product type in duty and fees, and both platforms still struggle with unsafe products in some categories. Shop for local stock, group similar items, and be careful with electrical goods and children's toys.
Compare before you buy
Put the same item in your basket on both apps and compare the final checkout total, including fees and delivery date.
Shopping from Ukraine? See how to use our Temu promo code.
Frequently asked questions
Is Temu better than AliExpress in 2026?
For most casual shoppers, yes. Temu has simpler returns, a cleaner app and lower prices on everyday items. AliExpress is better for niche products, spare parts, electronics from brand stores and bulk orders.
Are Temu and AliExpress the same company?
No. Temu belongs to PDD Holdings, which also owns Pinduoduo. AliExpress belongs to Alibaba Group. They are direct competitors.
Do I pay customs on Temu or AliExpress orders in the EU?
Yes, on parcels shipped from outside the EU. Since 1 July 2026 there is a €3 customs duty per product type, and since 1 November 2026 a €2 handling fee per product type, on top of VAT. Items shipped from EU warehouses don't carry these per-parcel charges.
Which is faster, Temu or AliExpress?
Temu's standard shipping usually takes about 5–15 days. AliExpress Choice is similar at around 7–15 days, and local-warehouse items on either platform can arrive within a week. Items from other AliExpress sellers can take 15–45 days.
Does Temu charge for returns?
The first return on each order is free within 90 days of purchase. In the US, further returns from the same order cost $7.99, deducted from your refund.
Does AliExpress have free returns?
On eligible items, yes. Products with a free-returns badge, including many Choice items, can be returned within 90 days. Other items are covered by Buyer Protection disputes, where you may pay return shipping.
Is it safe to buy from Temu and AliExpress?
Payments are generally safe, but product safety varies. Both platforms were fined by the European Commission in 2026 over illegal and unsafe products. Be cautious with chargers, electrical items, cosmetics and children's toys, and prefer brand stores or local sellers.
Do Ukrainians pay customs on Temu and AliExpress parcels?
Not on parcels up to €150 as of November 2026. A 20% VAT on low-value marketplace parcels is being discussed, but under current drafts it would not start before 2027.
