Tips for Shopping on AliExpress or Temu

A practical, updated guide for Lithuanian buyers — the differences between AliExpress and Temu, where real risks lie (quality, VAT/customs, data) and how to shop smartly in 2024–2025.

Faster shipments, stricter EU controls, and new rules on the horizon

Chinese e-commerce platforms have become a daily reality: you can order a case, cable, tool, or even a “magical” household device for just a few euros. However, along with low prices comes another reality — the quality lottery, tax rules, and digital privacy issues.

In Lithuania, buyers have particularly felt the change as logistics have sped up: Temu often delivers consolidated shipments, while AliExpress is actively pushing faster solutions and warehousing/logistics services. At the same time, EU institutions are intensifying oversight: the European Commission has initiated formal proceedings against Temu under the Digital Services Act (DSA), highlighting the risks of illegal goods, potentially addictive design, and transparency issues.

Moreover, it’s important to know the direction for the future: decisions have already been made at the EU level regarding an additional tax on low-value shipments, planned to take effect from 2026-07-01 (the model may be refined, but the direction is clear — cheap shipments will be taxed). This means that “cheap from China” may eventually become less cheap, and understanding the rules will become even more important.

Not just logos — different business models, different shopping experiences

AliExpress — a classic marketplace

AliExpress operates as a large marketplace where the platform is usually a middleman, and you are actually buying from many different sellers. This means:

• Selection is usually huge — from small items to specific electronic components, tools, and parts.
• Quality and reliability depend on the specific seller (ratings and reviews are critically important here).
• Shipments may arrive separately: when buying from multiple sellers, you often receive several different packages at different times.

Temu — a more centralized “managed” model

Temu often operates in a way that feels more like one large store for the buyer: the platform has stronger control over pricing, shipping, returns, and the buyer often receives one consolidated shipment. In practice, this means:

• Convenience: less “chaos” with separate shipments, often simpler returns.
• Categories: usually dominated by household items, accessories, small home goods, and “viral” products.
• Risk: a strong focus on impulse buying (gamification, “last minute”, “another -X%”), making it easier to spend more than planned.

Quick comparison (what to choose based on the goal)

Are you risking only money, or also data?

App vs browser: a simple rule

If privacy is important to you, the most conservative choice is to shop through a browser (on your phone or computer), rather than through an app. Apps have more technical capabilities to collect various device data, and the buyer doesn’t really see what’s happening “under the hood”.

Temu under the EU institutions’ magnifying glass

The European Commission has initiated a formal procedure against Temu under the DSA, discussing risks related to illegal goods, design elements that may promote addiction, and other transparency issues. If EU regulators see systemic problems, it signals to the buyer: more critical thinking is needed, more checking, and less impulse.

What to do practically (without paranoia)

• Minimize account data: don’t upload additional profile details if they are not needed.
• Don’t use the same password: assign a unique password for platforms.
• Check the privacy policy: especially regarding data transfer to third parties and marketing purposes.
• Be cautious with “too good to be true” offers: they are often designed not to save you money, but to “hook” you.

Payment security: the “golden” rule

Do not enter your main bank card details where you can avoid it. It’s safer to use intermediaries that reduce the risk of leaking card data and facilitate disputes:

• Apple Pay / Google Pay: often protects the real card number through “tokenization”.
• Virtual / one-time cards (e.g., fintech solutions): suitable when you want to minimize damage in case of a leak.
• Dispute mechanisms: before buying a more expensive item, assess how you will actually get your money back if the item doesn’t arrive or is defective.

IOSS logic, €150 threshold, and why “VAT included” doesn’t always end as simply as it seems

Up to €150: IOSS usually applies (“VAT included”)

Under the EU e-commerce VAT system, low-value shipments (up to €150) may be subject to the IOSS scheme: VAT is collected at the time of purchase, so the shipment usually moves more smoothly and the buyer typically does not experience “surprises” at pickup.

In practice, look for phrases like “VAT included”, but still remain vigilant: if the shipment is inaccurately labeled, if the declaration does not match reality, or if the system operates incorrectly, you may sometimes have to clarify with the carrier or the declaration chain (such cases have been recorded at the institutional level).

Over €150: customs procedures (and additional fees)

If the value of goods exceeds €150, standard import rules usually apply. This may mean:

1. Import VAT (usually 21% in Lithuania).
2. Customs duty (depends on the product category; for some electronics, the duty may be 0%, but for textiles or other groups — significant).
3. Brokerage / customs clearance fee (courier or postal operator for declaration services).

Practical tip: if your cart approaches €150, it’s often smarter to split purchases into several orders (e.g., two orders of ~€70–90) to reduce the likelihood of customs bureaucracy. Of course, this should be assessed against shipping costs and the actual platform rules.

Future change: additional fee for small shipments from 2026-07-01

A decision has been made at the EU level regarding an additional ~€3 fee for low-value e-commerce shipments, planned to take effect from 2026-07-01. This is not yet the “end of shopping”, but it signals: rules are tightening, and the model for cheap shipments will be taxed more than before.

5 “golden” steps that actually save nerves and money

1) Evaluate “faster and controlled” shipping labels

Within AliExpress, there are faster solutions (e.g., warehousing/selected shipping models), while Temu often consolidates shipments right away. The essence is simple: the more logistics is managed centrally, the less chaos with tracking, partial shipments, and disputes.

2) Pay attention to reviews: photos are more important than stars

A general rating alone is not a guarantee. Look for:

• reviews with photos (you’ll see the real size, material, packaging);
• specific comments (“thin plastic”, “short cable”, “does not match description”);
• experiences of several different buyers of the same product (one photo doesn’t mean much).

3) Avoid high-risk products (especially in data and security areas)

There are product categories where cheapness often costs too much:

• Data storage devices (USB, SD cards): often have falsified capacities and “strange” quality.
• IP cameras, Wi-Fi surveillance equipment: cheap models often have poor software maintenance, unclear update cycles, and sometimes security vulnerability risks.
• Suspiciously cheap chargers: if there are no clear certification marks and normal specifications, you risk not only your device but also your safety.
• Cosmetics / “unclear composition” products: if there is no clear compliance information, it’s better not to take risks.

4) Returns: read the conditions, not the advertising

Temu often boasts simpler returns, but each situation depends on:

• product category,
• return period,
• condition requirements (packaging, completeness),
• whether the return is free or only “on paper”.

In the case of AliExpress, it’s worth looking for clear return labels (in some cases, returns can be complicated, especially if shipping back costs more than the item itself).

5) Don’t fall for gamification: “discount” can just be an emotion

Temu especially loves gamification: timers, “last chance”, “one more spin”, “invite a friend”. This creates a sense of urgency, but the reality is often this:

• the “discounted” price may be the regular price,
• timers sometimes reset,
• the biggest benefit to the platform is your impulsive cart.

Tip: if the item is not essential today, put it in your cart and come back tomorrow. Often you’ll see that the “urgent” offer hasn’t gone anywhere.

What to choose in Lithuania in 2024–2025 and how not to lose control

If you want convenience and are buying many household items — Temu will often be the simpler route (one shipment, often clearer returns), but you’ll need to be more cautious about impulse buying and general regulatory discussions.

If you’re looking for specifics (parts, tools, components, niche items) — AliExpress usually wins on selection. However, here discipline is key: check the seller, reviews, completeness, description.

Summary worth remembering: today, shopping from China is more often a lottery of “will it come or not”, but rather a lottery of “what will the quality be and will everything match the description”. Use safer payment methods, avoid high-risk categories, read reviews with photos, and keep in mind that EU tax rules will continue to tighten.