AliExpress has been fined a record €550m by the European Commission for failing to prevent the sale of illegal and counterfeit goods, marking the biggest penalty issued under the EU's Digital Services Act.
Key facts
- AliExpress was fined €550m (£470m) by the European Commission.
- It is the largest penalty issued under the EU's Digital Services Act.
- The fine followed a two-year investigation.
- Items cited included unsafe toys, counterfeit clothes, harmful cosmetics and kitchen gadgets.
- The Digital Services Act came into force in 2024 to protect consumers from illegal goods and deceptive marketing.
The Chinese online retail platform AliExpress has been fined a record €550m (£470m) by the European Union over its failure to stop the sale of illegal and counterfeit goods through its site, according to the Guardian.
The European Commission penalty is the largest yet imposed under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the legislation that came into force in 2024 to protect consumers from illegal goods as well as deceptive or addictive marketing techniques.
According to the Guardian, the goods sold through the platform included harmful clothing, cosmetics and kitchen gadgets. The BBC reported that the EU said AliExpress had allowed unsafe toys and counterfeit clothes to be sold on its site.
The BBC reported that the fine is the highest penalty imposed under the Digital Services Act and that it follows a two-year investigation.
The Digital Services Act, which the Guardian notes came into force in 2024, was designed to make online platforms more accountable for the content and products available to European consumers, covering both illegal goods and deceptive or addictive marketing techniques.
The record size of the penalty signals the EU’s willingness to use its consumer-protection powers against major online marketplaces operating in the bloc.
Why it matters
The fine is the largest ever handed down under the EU's Digital Services Act, setting a benchmark for how strictly regulators may hold online marketplaces responsible for what is sold on their platforms. For consumers, it highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and authenticity of goods bought through large e-commerce sites.
Frequently asked questions
How much was AliExpress fined?
AliExpress was fined €550m, equivalent to about £470m, by the European Commission.
Why was AliExpress fined?
The EU said AliExpress failed to stop the sale of illegal and counterfeit goods, including unsafe toys, counterfeit clothes, and harmful cosmetics and kitchen gadgets.
What is the Digital Services Act?
The Digital Services Act is EU legislation that came into force in 2024 to protect consumers from illegal goods and from deceptive or addictive marketing techniques. This fine is the largest imposed under it.