You've been used to ordering Xiaomi smartphones, smartwatches or robot vacuum cleaners on AliExpress, but suddenly you find that the brand has disappeared from search? It's not a platform glitch or a temporary technical error. Since 2023, the range of official Xiaomi products on the site has decreased by more than 90%, and by the middle of 2026, many categories have disappeared. In this article, we will analyze 7 key reasons for this decision, understand what models can still be found through workarounds, and tell you where to buy Xiaomi equipment with a guarantee - without the risk of running into a fake or "gray" import.
Spoiler: it's not just about sanctions and logistics. Xiaomi is actively reviewing its global sales strategy, and AliExpress is reviewing its brand model. We've gathered data from official sources, seller reviews and market analytics to give a clear answer: what is happening and how to buy Xiaomi is profitable in the new realities. If you need specific instructions, click on the section "Where to buy Xiaomi legally now."
1.Official Reasons: Why Xiaomi Left AliExpress
The most obvious version is sanctions and restrictions on the supply of electronics to Russia, but the real picture is more complicated.
- 📜 Xiaomi statement (March 2026): the company “temporarily suspended direct deliveries to some markets” due to “logistical difficulties and changes in customs rules.
- 🛒 AliExpress’s response (April 2026): The platform is “optimizing the range of branded products” by focusing on “partnership programs with local distributors.” Simply put, AliExpress now works with Xiaomi not directly, but through intermediaries – which increases the prices and risks of counterfeiting.
- 🚢 Chinese customs data (June 2026): Xiaomi smartphone exports to Russia via AliExpress fell 87% compared to 2022, mainly due to new labeling rules and mandatory certification in the EAEU system, which have complicated logistics for small sellers.
It's important to understand that Xiaomi hasn't completely disappeared from the market. The company continues to deliver through official distributors (for example, Svyaznoy or M. Video), but AliExpress as a direct sales channel has ceased to be profitable. Why?
Sanctions and logistics: how it affected the supply
The main blow to Xiaomi’s sales on AliExpress was caused not so much by Western sanctions as by internal restrictions of China and the rules of the EEU.
| Problem. | Implications for AliExpress | Alternative solution |
|---|---|---|
| New rules of the EAEU (marking "Honest sign") | Sellers on AliExpress cannot issue a marking for each product - this requires a local legal entity in Russia. | Purchase through official distributors, where the marking is already decorated. |
| Restrictions on Chip Exports (USA) | Some Xiaomi models (such as those with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors) have been restricted. | Selection of models on other chips (e.g. MediaTek Dimensity). |
| Closing of logistics hubs (Hong Kong, Dubai) | The increase in delivery time from 10-15 to 30-45 days made purchases on AliExpress unprofitable. | Use of local warehouses (for example, Xiaomi Store in Russia). |
⚠️ Attention: If you see Xiaomi products delivered “from Russia” on AliExpress, most likely they are resellers who buy equipment from local distributors and resell at a premium:
- 🔄 There is no original warranty (only a "store warranty»).
- 📦 Repackaging is possible (for example, a box from Redmi Note 12, and inside the box is possible — POCO M5).
- 💸 The price is often higher than in official stores.
💡
Before buying Xiaomi on AliExpress, check the IMEI of the device through the IMEI.info service. If the activation date coincides with the order date, it is a fake or a “gray” import.
3. Brand Strategy: Why Xiaomi abandoned AliExpress
Xiaomi has long sought to shed its image as a “cheap Chinese brand,” and in 2023, the company announced a new premium strategy that includes:
- Focus on offline stores: opening of Xiaomi Store branded boutiques in Europe and Asia (in Russia, there are already 15+).
- Own sales platform: development of Mi.com service with direct deliveries.
- Limiting discounts: Xiaomi was often sold at prices below the recommended prices on AliExpress, which spoiled margins.
📊 According to Counterpoint Research, Xiaomi’s share of sales through marketplaces (including AliExpress) fell from 40% in 2021 to 12% in 2026:
- 🏬 Offline retail: partnership with Svyaznoy and M.Video in Russia.
- 📱 Subscription models: Xiaomi 14 Ultra with monthly payment.
- 🤖 Ecosystem of the smart home: selling kits (smartphone) + clockwork + vacuumer).
This means that AliExpress is no longer a priority distribution channel for Xiaomi.
What Xiaomi models can you find on AliExpress?
4. Risks of buying Xiaomi on AliExpress in 2026
If you find Xiaomi on AliExpress, be prepared for the following problems:
⚠️ Attention: According to Roskachestvo, in 2026, one in three Xiaomi smartphones bought on marketplaces (including AliExpress) turned out to be fakes or "gray" imports:
| Sign. | What does it mean? | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Price 30-50% below the market | It’s probably a replica (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro for $12,000). ₽). | Compare it to Mi.com prices. |
| There's no "Honest Sign" | The goods were imported illegally, there is no guarantee and support in Russia. | Ask the seller to show the EAEU certificate. |
| Seller from Hong Kong/UAE | High risk of repackaging (there is another model in the box). | Look for reviews with photos/video unpacking. |
🔍 How do you tell the original from the fake:
- 📦 Packaging: The original has a box with a hologram and serial number that matches the number on the device.
- 🔋 Charger: counterfeits often have cheap power supplies without the Xiaomi logo.
- 📱 Firmware: original smartphones have a branded shell MIUI Pre-installed services (e.g. Mi Cloud).
💡
If the seller on AliExpress offers Xiaomi with “European firmware” – it is 99% fake. Official devices for Russia have firmware with support for the Russian language and local services (Yandex, VK).
5 Where to Buy Xiaomi Legally and Profitably
If AliExpress is no longer an option, here are 5 proven alternatives to buy Xiaomi with a warranty:
- 🏪 Mi.com official website: direct shipments from China, but with local warranty. 2-3 weekdays.
- 📦 Cross-border services: Jollychin or Taobao Focus – bought directly in Chinese stores and delivered to Russia.
💰 Price comparison (on the example of Xiaomi) 14, 12/256 GB, June 2026):
| The playground | Price (₽) | Guarantee | Time of delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi.com | 74 990 | 12 months. | 14-21 days |
| Connected | 79 990 | 24 months. | 1-3 days |
| Ozon (official store) | 76 500 | 12 months. | 3-7 days |
| AliExpress (reseller) | 68 000 | No. | 30-45 days |
⚠️ Note: If you see Xiaomi on AliExpress cheaper than Mi.com, this is a reason to be wary. 5-10% There is no risk of getting a fake or a device without a warranty.
Check out the reviews of the last 3 months|Check the store’s rating (should be) ≥ 95%)|Ask the EAEU Certificate|Check if there is a Russian-language firmware|Compare the price to Mi.com-->
6. Will Xiaomi return to AliExpress? predictions for 2026-2026
According to insiders (source — Nikkei Asia), Xiaomi is in talks with AliExpress about the resumption of cooperation, but on new terms:
- 🔒 Official Stores Only: No third-party vendors – only Mi Global Store and Authorized Partners.
- 📦 Local warehouses: shipping from Russia, not China (to avoid labeling problems).
- 💰 Price control: ban on discounts of more than 20% of the recommended retail price.
📅 When to wait?The optimistic forecast is the end of 2026, but only for a limited range (accessories, smart gadgets) Smartphones and large appliances are likely to remain in offline retail.
🔮 What to do with buyers now?
- If you need a smartphone, buy it on Mi.com or from official distributors.
- If you are looking for smart watches or accessories, you can take a risk on AliExpress, but only from sellers with a rating of 98%+.
- If warranty is important, avoid AliExpress and marketplaces with unverified sellers.