[crtasm]

Is it correct to say the consumer is importing a product when it's aliexpress shipping it to them?

[nvme0n1p1]

Of course. What situation are you imagining where a country imports a product without the seller shipping the product to that country?

[crtasm]

I mean: when I order something from abroad I don't consider myself as an importer - the store and/or the shipping companies they use are importing it into my country.

[helsinkiandrew]

Particularly if AliExpress is paying local VAT and import taxes (or at least dealing with the import paperwork) or even less if it’s from one of their local (UK/EU etc) warehouses

[freehorse]

They have initiated the transaction. It would be "shipping to them" if somebody is sending them something by their own volition.

[john_strinlai]

yes, aliexpress would not be shipping it if the consumer did not order it.

[reisse]

Unless AliExpress has a local entity, like they do in some countries, yes.