The European Union has imposed a record €550 million ($640 million) fine on Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress, accusing the company of failing to prevent the sale of counterfeit, illegal, and unsafe products to consumers across the bloc.
The penalty follows an extensive investigation by the European Commission, which found that AliExpress did not take sufficient steps to identify, assess, and reduce the risks posed by fake and potentially dangerous goods listed on its marketplace. Regulators said the platform’s existing systems for detecting illegal products and monitoring sellers were inadequate, exposing millions of consumers to safety risks.
The action is one of the largest enforcement measures taken under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), landmark legislation designed to hold major online platforms accountable for the content and products they host. The DSA requires large digital marketplaces to quickly remove illegal listings, improve transparency, strengthen seller verification, and implement effective risk management measures.
European officials said the decision sends a clear message that online marketplaces operating in the EU must prioritize consumer safety and comply with strict digital regulations, regardless of where the company is based.
AliExpress is expected to review the ruling and could challenge the decision through legal channels. The company may also be required to implement additional compliance measures to meet the EU’s regulatory standards and avoid further penalties.
The record fine highlights the European Union’s increasingly aggressive approach to regulating global technology companies and online marketplaces. It also reflects growing international pressure on e-commerce platforms to crack down on counterfeit merchandise, unsafe products, and fraudulent sellers as online shopping continues to expand worldwide.