AliExpress Hit With $629M EU Fine Over Counterfeit Goods

The European Commission imposed the fine on July 20, 2026, after an investigation found AliExpress had failed to adequately combat the sale of counterfeit goods on its platform. The penalty exceeds all previous sanctions issued under the Digital Services Act, which took effect in 2024.

Regulators determined that AliExpress did not do enough to verify sellers' identities or remove listings for fake products, despite repeated warnings. The Commission said the company's compliance measures were insufficient to protect consumers and rights holders.

AliExpress, owned by Chinese tech giant Alibaba, has not yet announced whether it will appeal the decision. The company could also face additional fines if it fails to address the shortcomings identified by the Commission.

The Digital Services Act requires large online platforms to take proactive steps against illegal content, including counterfeit goods. The fine signals the EU's willingness to enforce the law aggressively against major e-commerce players.