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I just started my online business and purchased some products at AliExpress. I have heard horror stories about US customs seizing the products or demanding for import duty. Each of my purchase was in the $100-$200 range although I bought low quantities to reduce risk. I have few questions regarding import duty.

1. Am I technically required to pay import duty for small purchases? If not, what is the dollar amount limit for free duty?

2. How to reduce the chances of getting customs involved?

3. What are the best practices for buying products from China?

5 days later

Hi Rachel,and Bill,

I thought I'd share this information with you guys and anyone else but over the last month I have made over roughly 700USD just mainly dropshipping products from China using 2 different suppliers wherein one of them I found via AliExpress - very reliable as they manufacture their own goods and it is unbranded. Selling one of my items for 52 dollars on eBay so far I've got over 40 watchers and over 1,200 views and growing.

AliExpress is pretty safe. The seller will not receive funds until the item has been shipped. I've shipped over 10 different items; 6 or 7 from AliE express and the rest was another Chinese site. I sold a Holloween item for 220USD but only to find out it was out of stock so my Chinese supplier gave me a full refund.

Chinese websites are good if you find unbranded items or if you do find a branded one, you should ask yourself if its real or not.

I hope this can help.

Thanks William, great to hear those sales are rolling in as well!

4 months later

Thank you for the feed back William. I have been looking for reviews on AliExpress.com and yours is very informative for someone looking in on international suppliers.

Cheers!