Aliexpress
Unclaimed Business
Rated in:
Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
Based on recent customer reviews, Aliexpress is described as a deeply frustrating shopping experience for South African customers. Buyers repeatedly cite undelivered parcels, unexpected customs fees from Speedaf and Meili, unresponsive support channels, and refused refunds. Product quality complaints and disputes over wrong or faulty items dominate the feedback, with very few positive experiences breaking through the pattern of disappointment.
TrustIndex
1.7
Jul '25 - Jun '26
Based on recent customer reviews, Aliexpress is described as a deeply frustrating shopping experience for South African customers. Buyers repeatedly cite undelivered parcels, unexpected customs fees from Speedaf and Meili, unresponsive support channels, and refused refunds. Product quality complaints and disputes over wrong or faulty items dominate the feedback, with very few positive experiences breaking through the pattern of disappointment.
The most common complaint about Aliexpress, based on Hellopeter's AI analysis of recent customer reviews, is Delivery, Fulfilment & Logistics. Delivery, Fulfilment & Logistics (0.6) is the dominant pain point. Customers report parcels never arriving, Speedaf and Meili couriers failing to deliver or contact buyers, packages stuck in customs indefinitely, and tracking systems showing inaccurate or fabricated delivery attempts across months of waiting.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Hi All Can someone help me, I have ordered goods from AliExpress that are being couriered by Speedaf however It's been 2 months and I've not recieved them. I have already paid AliExpress and I've done a manual payment to Speedaf for the customs fee on 31st of March, however Speedaf have still not allocated my payment after numerous follow up attempts. Feedback on AliExpress is that I refused to pay customs fee, and they advise me to follow up with Speedaf. I try calling Speedaf but they don't answer phones and advise to contact on What's App, I contact on What's App with no response or assistance back either, have even tried emailing with no luck. At this point I have logged a ***** case with my bank, they have asked me to log a case with the police department and send them back the case number in order to lock the third party account. I will proceed with this, but ideally I would still like to recieve my goods I just have no idea what else I can do as I've tried all platforms for assistance on both AliExpress and Speedaf and am getting nowehere with either of them, yet they have taken thousands of rands from me. Any guidance would be appreciated. Kind Regards
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Hi All Can someone help me, I have ordered goods from AliExpress that are being couriered by Speedaf however It's been 2 months and I've not recieved them. I have already paid AliExpress and I've done a manual payment to Speedaf for the customs fee on 31st of March, however Speedaf have still not allocated my payment after numerous follow up attempts. Feedback on AliExpress is that I refused to pay customs fee, and they advise me to follow up with Speedaf. I try calling Speedaf but they don't answer phones and advise to contact on What's App, I contact on What's App with no response or assistance back either, have even tried emailing with no luck. At this point I have logged a ***** case with my bank, they have asked me to log a case with the police department and send them back the case number in order to lock the third party account. I will proceed with this, but ideally I would still like to recieve my goods I just have no idea what else I can do as I've tried all platforms for assistance on both AliExpress and Speedaf and am getting nowehere with either of them, yet they have taken thousands of rands from me. Any guidance would be appreciated. Kind Regards
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Aliexpress will not refund you no matter if you present concrete evidence. Reply is always the same. Insufficient evidence 0 refund Seller offered a fraction of a refund then Aliexpress stepped in and gave 0 because I did not accept the sellers offer This is the third time now I have an issue. This order was reported on 03/05/2026. Order :3071435172792394 All you het is an AI response on the app. Stay away
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Aliexpress will not refund you no matter if you present concrete evidence. Reply is always the same. Insufficient evidence 0 refund Seller offered a fraction of a refund then Aliexpress stepped in and gave 0 because I did not accept the sellers offer This is the third time now I have an issue. This order was reported on 03/05/2026. Order :3071435172792394 All you het is an AI response on the app. Stay away
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I purchased an Oppo Reno 13 charger from AliExpress, delivered on 22 January 2026. The charger stopped working completely after only four months of normal use, in April 2026. I am extremely disappointed with the quality and durability of this product. A charger should last much longer than this, especially when advertised as original/high quality. To make matters worse, by the time the charger failed, the review and dispute options were no longer available on the platform, leaving me with no proper way to warn other buyers or seek assistance. Customers should be cautious when purchasing electronics from sellers on AliExpress, as product quality may not match what is advertised.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I purchased an Oppo Reno 13 charger from AliExpress, delivered on 22 January 2026. The charger stopped working completely after only four months of normal use, in April 2026. I am extremely disappointed with the quality and durability of this product. A charger should last much longer than this, especially when advertised as original/high quality. To make matters worse, by the time the charger failed, the review and dispute options were no longer available on the platform, leaving me with no proper way to warn other buyers or seek assistance. Customers should be cautious when purchasing electronics from sellers on AliExpress, as product quality may not match what is advertised.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Dear AliExpress (and brave souls still shopping there), Terminating a gym contract may be a universal struggle, but allow me to introduce a new contender: *receiving your parcel without being financially ambushed by the courier.* I recently ordered a hydration pack for about R1,600. Nothing extravagant. Just a humble attempt at hydration. Enter MEILI and SpeedAF — the dynamic duo of “customs processing.” They are now requesting **R1,035** in fees. R1,035. For “processing.” At this point, I can only assume someone is personally escorting my water bottles through customs, offering them emotional support, and perhaps a light massage before delivery. Let’s be clear: This is not customs. This is not VAT. This is a *creative writing exercise disguised as a bill.* What makes this even better: * There was **no warning** at checkout that this courier circus would be involved * There was **no indication** that my total cost might casually double after purchase * And the AliExpress “support email”? Not “unresponsive” — it **literally does not exist**. Gmail sends it back like, “absolutely not.” In terms of the Consumer Protection Act (68 of 2008), charges must be transparent and reasonable. Doubling the price of an item *after* payment through vague “processing fees” is neither. I’ve ordered through AliExpress before without issues, which is why this feels less like bad luck and more like a *plot twist.* So here’s a friendly warning: If your parcel is handled by MEILI / SpeedAF, don’t track your package — track your blood pressure. I will not be paying this fee, and I strongly recommend reconsidering before ordering under these conditions. Regards, A customer who only wanted water bottles, not a financial crisis.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Dear AliExpress (and brave souls still shopping there), Terminating a gym contract may be a universal struggle, but allow me to introduce a new contender: *receiving your parcel without being financially ambushed by the courier.* I recently ordered a hydration pack for about R1,600. Nothing extravagant. Just a humble attempt at hydration. Enter MEILI and SpeedAF — the dynamic duo of “customs processing.” They are now requesting **R1,035** in fees. R1,035. For “processing.” At this point, I can only assume someone is personally escorting my water bottles through customs, offering them emotional support, and perhaps a light massage before delivery. Let’s be clear: This is not customs. This is not VAT. This is a *creative writing exercise disguised as a bill.* What makes this even better: * There was **no warning** at checkout that this courier circus would be involved * There was **no indication** that my total cost might casually double after purchase * And the AliExpress “support email”? Not “unresponsive” — it **literally does not exist**. Gmail sends it back like, “absolutely not.” In terms of the Consumer Protection Act (68 of 2008), charges must be transparent and reasonable. Doubling the price of an item *after* payment through vague “processing fees” is neither. I’ve ordered through AliExpress before without issues, which is why this feels less like bad luck and more like a *plot twist.* So here’s a friendly warning: If your parcel is handled by MEILI / SpeedAF, don’t track your package — track your blood pressure. I will not be paying this fee, and I strongly recommend reconsidering before ordering under these conditions. Regards, A customer who only wanted water bottles, not a financial crisis.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Don't receive my order because Aliexpress uses the worst courier in SA (Speedaf). Speedaf pretends that they cannot deliver because they cannot reach me - that is a bland lie, they never tried to reach me. Aliexpress does not provide any support, just a chatbot that's unable to help. Won't order from them again.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Don't receive my order because Aliexpress uses the worst courier in SA (Speedaf). Speedaf pretends that they cannot deliver because they cannot reach me - that is a bland lie, they never tried to reach me. Aliexpress does not provide any support, just a chatbot that's unable to help. Won't order from them again.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
i recently purchased a 1TB USB and when it arrived, besides being very long overdue in delivery dates the product was faulty and not fit for purpose. i could not get a new one or a refund as they stated that i did not prove it was faulty, which i tried. Also their email address inbox was always full and emails never being received. All i want is another of the same item that works or a refund, but prefer another of the same item in working order.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
i recently purchased a 1TB USB and when it arrived, besides being very long overdue in delivery dates the product was faulty and not fit for purpose. i could not get a new one or a refund as they stated that i did not prove it was faulty, which i tried. Also their email address inbox was always full and emails never being received. All i want is another of the same item that works or a refund, but prefer another of the same item in working order.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I bought a portable ECG through Aliexpress. The seller Viatom sent the package MailAmericas who allocated the South African Post Office as local distributor - however the SA Post office has not done business with MailAmericas for the past 6 months. So now my package is at customs - and it will stay there unless MailAmericas appoints another local distributor. I contacted MailAmericas - they are very rude and keep on saying I must contact the local distributor but who they say is not the distributor. I contacted the seller, they say I must contact MailAmericas which I did and they just don't care. Aliexpress also keeps on telling me to pay the tax BUT no-one sends a payment link BECAUSE there is NO local distributor. If you don't want to loose money stay away from Aliexpress, MailAmericas and Viatom as they do not care about you as customer.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I bought a portable ECG through Aliexpress. The seller Viatom sent the package MailAmericas who allocated the South African Post Office as local distributor - however the SA Post office has not done business with MailAmericas for the past 6 months. So now my package is at customs - and it will stay there unless MailAmericas appoints another local distributor. I contacted MailAmericas - they are very rude and keep on saying I must contact the local distributor but who they say is not the distributor. I contacted the seller, they say I must contact MailAmericas which I did and they just don't care. Aliexpress also keeps on telling me to pay the tax BUT no-one sends a payment link BECAUSE there is NO local distributor. If you don't want to loose money stay away from Aliexpress, MailAmericas and Viatom as they do not care about you as customer.
Aliexpress has a TrustIndex of 1.7 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 88 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked Aliexpress across 466 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →