Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress announced today that it will appeal a record €550 million fine imposed by the European Commission, calling the sanction “disproportionate” regarding alleged failures to combat the sale of illegal products.
In a statement published on Alibaba’s corporate news portal, AliExpress expressed surprise and disagreement with the decision, reiterating its commitment to consumer safety and regulatory compliance. The platform highlighted its substantial investments in risk management, product security, and proactive measures developed in cooperation with European regulators, arguing that the Commission’s ruling ignores its compliance efforts and structural improvements.
The European Commission issued the record fine after concluding that AliExpress lacks sufficient personnel to monitor illegal listings, such as counterfeit items and products violating safety standards.
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Brussels accused the retailer of overestimating the capabilities of its automated detection systems, noting that flagged items often remained accessible for weeks while suspended sellers easily bypassed platform restrictions.
European Commission Vice President for Digital Policy Henna Virkkunen emphasized that the presence of counterfeit clothing, unsafe toys, and hazardous cosmetics harms legitimate businesses alongside consumers.
AliExpress has until October 20 to submit a corrective action plan to the European Commission, which will then review the proposed timeline for implementation. The penalty represents the highest fine issued to date under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
