Delivery Failed on My AliExpress Order: What to Do

We see “delivery failed” on about one in fifteen AliExpress orders we track. The status looks alarming, but in most cases the package is sitting at a local post office or carrier facility waiting for pickup. The key is acting quickly before the holding period expires and the package gets sent back to China.

What does “delivery failed” mean

This status means the carrier attempted to deliver your package but could not complete the handoff. The exact wording varies by carrier:

• Delivery failed
• Unsuccessful delivery
• Delivery attempt failed
• Not delivered
• Unable to deliver

The package has not been lost. It reached your area but could not be physically handed to you for some reason. In most cases, the package is now at a local facility waiting for a second attempt or pickup.

Common reasons for delivery failure

Reason	What happened	Next step
No one home	Carrier arrived but no one answered	Wait for second attempt or pick up at facility
Signature required	Package needs signature, no recipient present	Schedule redelivery or pick up
Incorrect address	Street, unit, or postal code wrong	Contact seller and carrier immediately
Access issue	Gated community, locked building, no access code	Contact carrier to provide instructions
Unpaid import duties	Carrier needs payment before releasing package	Pay duties to receive delivery
Package too large	Does not fit in mailbox, no safe place to leave	Pick up at facility

The first two reasons account for about 80% of the delivery failures we have tracked. The package is fine; the timing just did not work out.

How to track where your package actually is

AliExpress tracking often shows limited detail after the package reaches your country. Your local carrier’s website usually has more accurate, up-to-date information.

Steps to find your package:

1. Go to your AliExpress order and copy the tracking number
2. Identify the final-mile carrier (the company handling delivery in your country)
3. Go to that carrier’s website and enter the tracking number
4. Look for the specific facility location or pickup point

Common carriers by country:

• US: USPS, UPS, FedEx, OnTrac
• UK: Royal Mail, Evri, DPD
• Canada: Canada Post
• Australia: Australia Post
• EU countries: Local postal services or private couriers

We check the local carrier site first when tracking shows “delivery failed.” AliExpress tracking often lags 24-48 hours behind the actual status, and the carrier site shows the exact facility holding the package.

Expect a second delivery attempt

Most postal services automatically attempt redelivery on the next business day after a failed delivery. You do not need to call or schedule anything for this to happen.

Make sure someone is available to receive the package. If the item requires a signature, the carrier cannot leave it at the door.

Some carriers allow you to:

• Schedule a specific delivery time window
• Authorize delivery without signature (where permitted)
• Request the package be left at a specific location

Check your carrier’s website for these options if you cannot be home during normal delivery hours.

Look for a delivery notice

After one or two failed attempts, carriers leave a notice in your mailbox or at your door. This notice contains:

• Tracking number
• Location where the package is being held
• Deadline to pick it up (typically 7-14 days)
• What ID or documents you need to collect it

The package is usually available for pickup starting the next business day after the final attempt.

If you did not receive a notice but tracking shows delivery failed, the carrier may not have left one on the first attempt. Wait for the second attempt or contact them directly.

Contact your local post office or carrier

If you see “delivery failed” and do not want to wait for another attempt, call or visit your local post office or carrier facility.

Provide them with:

• Your tracking number
• Your name and address
• A form of ID

They can confirm if the package is at their facility and when you can pick it up. In some cases, they can arrange a specific redelivery time.

We have called our local USPS branch about 10 times for AliExpress packages showing “delivery failed.” Every time, the package was there and ready for pickup the same day.

Delivery failed due to unpaid import duties

Since August 2025, the US eliminated the de minimis exemption for goods from China. This means AliExpress orders may now be subject to import duties regardless of value.

If the carrier cannot collect duties at delivery, the package may be held. The tracking may show “delivery failed” or “held at customs.”

What to do:

1. Check for a customs notice by mail or email
2. Look up your tracking on the carrier or customs website
3. Pay the assessed duties through the carrier’s online portal or in person
4. Once paid, the package will be scheduled for delivery or available for pickup

Duties are typically collected by the delivery carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL) before they release the package.

For buyers outside the US, check your country’s import threshold. The EU charges VAT on all imports from outside the union. Many other countries have similar rules for goods above certain values.

What happens if you do not pick up the package

If you ignore the delivery failure and do not collect your package within the holding period (usually 7-14 days), the carrier marks it as “unclaimed” and returns it to the sender.

For AliExpress orders, this means the package goes back to China. The return journey takes weeks.

Here is the problem: if you open a dispute claiming “item not received,” AliExpress often rules against you because tracking shows the carrier attempted delivery and you did not collect it. This is considered buyer fault.

We have seen buyers lose disputes in this situation. AliExpress views unclaimed packages as the buyer’s responsibility, not a shipping failure.

Having someone else pick up the package

If you cannot collect the package during facility hours, you can usually authorize someone else to pick it up on your behalf.

Most delivery notices include an authorization section on the back. Fill in:

• Your name and signature
• The authorized person’s name
• Date

The authorized person brings:

• The signed notice
• Their own ID
• Sometimes a copy of your ID

Procedures vary by carrier and country. Check with your local facility if you are unsure what documentation they require.

The phantom delivery attempt

We have received “delivery failed” notices multiple times when someone was home all day and never heard a knock or doorbell. This happens.

Possible explanations:

• Carrier was behind schedule and marked packages as “attempted” without actually trying
• Driver went to wrong address or unit
• Doorbell or intercom did not work
• Driver arrived during a brief moment when no one was near the door

Unfortunately, this is common during busy seasons when carriers are overloaded. The package typically goes out for delivery again the next day or gets held at the facility for pickup.

If phantom delivery attempts happen repeatedly at your address, file a complaint with your local postal service or carrier. Document the times you were home and the times tracking shows “attempted delivery.”

Incorrect address and delivery failures

If tracking shows “delivery failed” followed by “undeliverable” or “address not found,” the problem may be with your shipping address.

Check your AliExpress address by going to Account > Shipping Addresses. Look for:

• Misspelled street names
• Missing apartment or unit numbers
• Incorrect postal codes
• Outdated addresses

If the address is wrong and the package has already shipped:

1. Contact the seller immediately with the correct address
2. Message your local carrier to update delivery instructions
3. Monitor tracking to see if the correction takes effect

Packages with completely invalid addresses are returned to sender. Packages with minor errors (like missing unit number) may be held at the facility for you to claim.

How to open a dispute if the package is returned

If your package was returned to China despite your best efforts, you can still attempt a dispute, though success is not guaranteed.

Go to your AliExpress order and click “Open Dispute.” Select:

• Reason: “Package was returned to seller by shipping company”
• Request: Full refund

Attach screenshots showing:

• Tracking history with return-to-sender status
• Any notices you received
• Messages with the seller or carrier

If the return was caused by seller error (wrong address entered by seller, prohibited items, etc.), you have a stronger case. If the return was due to buyer fault (you did not pick up, wrong address you provided), AliExpress often denies the refund.

Do not accept seller offers to close the dispute in exchange for a private refund or reship. Once you close a dispute, AliExpress cannot help you if the seller does not follow through.

How to prevent delivery failures

A few habits reduce the chance of delivery problems:

• Double-check your address before every order (especially apartment numbers and postal codes)
• Choose AliExpress Standard Shipping or Choice when available (better tracking, more reliable carriers)
• Track your package actively once it reaches your country
• Check your mailbox for customs or delivery notices
• Be aware of your country’s import duty rules and have payment ready if required
• If you know you will be away during the delivery window, arrange for someone else to receive packages

Final thoughts

Most “delivery failed” situations resolve within a day or two with a second attempt or a quick trip to the post office. The danger is ignoring the status and letting the pickup window expire. Once the package heads back to China, getting a refund becomes difficult. Check local carrier tracking as soon as you see the status, find out where your package is, and collect it before the deadline.

---

FAQs