AliExpress has announced the suspension of several low-cost shipping methods to Sri Lanka, citing recent tax reforms and regulatory ambiguities introduced by local authorities.

Starting July 7, 2025, budget-friendly logistics options such as AliExpress Standard Shipping and Cainiao will no longer be available for deliveries to Sri Lanka. These services, widely used by consumers to order electronics, fashion items, and household goods at minimal shipping costs, are being discontinued due to what the platform described as “unclear tax policies.”

In a notice sent to sellers, AliExpress stated that logistics routes to both Sri Lanka and Pakistan will now undergo offline processing, effectively removing the option to choose these economical delivery methods when declaring or fulfilling orders.

While detailed information on Sri Lanka’s recent customs policy changes remains undisclosed, the sudden move has sparked concerns within the country’s growing e-commerce community. Retailers and online shoppers are expected to face higher costs and longer delivery times as a result of the changes.

The development underscores the broader impact of shifting tax and trade regulations on global e-commerce platforms and cross-border consumer access in developing markets like Sri Lanka.