Onboarding Guide

Step 1:  Create a custom app

Enable custom app development from the Shopify control panel.

You must either be the store owner or a staff member with the Enable App Development permission to enable custom app development.

1. From your Shopify dashboard, click on Settings > Apps & Sales Channels.

2. Click on Develop applications.

3. Click on Allow custom application development.
   

How to create and install a custom application?

From your Shopify dashboard, click on Settings > Apps & Sales Channels.

Click on Develop applications.

Click on the Create an application button.

In the modal window, enter the name of the application and click the Create Application button.

Then click on Configure Management API Scopes.

Check the permissions for the following API scopes.

1. read_products

2. read_products_listings

3. write_orders

4. write_resource_feedbacks

5. read_locations

6. read_inventory

7. read_fulfillments

8. write_fulfillments

9. write_merchant_managed_fulfillment_orders

10. read_merchant_managed_fulfillment_orders

Click Save and then click Install Application.

Once completed, you’ll receive the access token, API key, and secret key.

Note: Make sure to copy and securely save the access token, as it can only be viewed once.

If the access token is lost, click Uninstall Application and then reinstall it. A new token will be generated.

Step 2: Connect your Shopify account

• Log in to your CedCommerce app at: https://aliexpress.cifapps.com/auth/login 

• Enter the following information on the app: API key, API secret key, Shop URL, and Admin API access token.
  

• Click on “Save” to connect your Shopify store with the app.

How to locate your Shopify shop URL:

1. Log in to your Shopify store.

2. Check the URL address bar at the top of your screen.

3. The URL should look something like this: ‘https://admin.shopify.com/store/STORENAME’.

4. To get your shop URL, add “.myshopify.com” right after “STORENAME”.

5. For instance, if your store’s name is ‘FLOWERSELL’. Look at the URL address bar at the top of your screen. It should look like this: ‘https://admin.shopify.com/store/FLOWERSELL’.

6. Your shop URL is “FLOWERSELL.myshopify.com”

Step 3: Next, link your AliExpress seller account.

1. Click Connect on the app screen.
   
   

2. You’ll be redirected to the AliExpress Authorization Portal.

3. Enter your registered AliExpress Account Email ID and Password.
   
   

4. Review the permissions requested (basic member info, login/user info, membership identification).
   
   

5. Agree to the Authorization Terms & Agreement and click Authorize.
   
   

Note: This authorization is mandatory for enabling listing, inventory sync, and order management between Shopify and AliExpress.

Step 4: Select Your Plan

Choose a subscription plan that fits your catalog size and order volume.

• Basic ($39/month)
  
  

• Sync up to 1,000 products
  
  

• Manage 100 AliExpress orders/month
  
  

• Near real-time synchronization
  
  

• Auto-upload of new products
  
  

• 24/7 bilingual chat support
  
  

• Growth ($79/month) (Most Popular)
  
  

• Sync up to 2,000 products
  
  

• Manage 300 orders/month
  
  

• Enhanced 24/7 bilingual chat support
  
  

• Premium ($99/month)
  
  

• Sync up to 3,000 products
  
  

• Manage 800 orders/month
  
  

• Dedicated server instance for faster syncing
  
  

• Warehouse management for efficient stock sync
  
  

• Priority 24/7 chat + call support
  
  

Click Subscribe under your preferred plan.

Step 5: Default Profile Setup

Now configure your base product profile for AliExpress.

1. Select AliExpress Product Category
   
   

• Choose the most relevant product category for your Shopify items.
  
  

• Use the search bar to filter categories.
  
  

• If you change the category later, revisit the required attributes (these may differ per category).
  
  

2. Map AliExpress Product Attributes
   Attributes are divided into 4 groups:
   
   

• Required Attributes (Mandatory)
  
  

• Example: Brand, package dimensions (L+W+H under 300 cm), delivery method.
  
  

• These must be mapped before saving.
  
  

• Product Qualification Attributes (GPSR) (EU Compliance)
  
  

• Upload package/label photos, safety warnings, and manufacturer details.
  
  

• Enter EU Responsible Person info, which is mandatory for selling in Europe under GPSR rules.
  
  

• Variation Attributes (Optional)
  
  

• Example: Color, size, or other Shopify variant options.
  
  

• Only needed if your product has multiple variants.
  
  

• Recommended Attributes (Optional)
  
  

• Example: Hazmat details, certificates, delivery options, package contents.
  
  

• Not mandatory, but improve listing quality and discoverability.
  
  

Note for EU Sellers: Ensure all GPSR fields are accurately filled to comply with EU regulations. Listings missing these details may be restricted in European marketplaces.

Step 6: Default Configuration

Finalize how your Shopify product data will behave on AliExpress.

1. Product Settings
   
   

• Threshold Inventory: Define a stock buffer (e.g., 2). When product stock falls below this limit, it is marked as Sold Out on AliExpress to prevent overselling.
  
  

• Currency Conversion: Enter conversion rates (e.g., 1 INR = 1 EURO) to automatically adjust product pricing for AliExpress.

2. Tip for EU Sellers: Configure conversion carefully if your Shopify store currency differs from Euro, as this directly impacts your product’s pricing and VAT handling in AliExpress EU regions.
   
   
   

3. Order Settings
   
   

• Sync Order: Enable this option to automatically pull AliExpress orders into Shopify.
  
  

• All synced orders will include customer details, which can be configured later for email and tax handling.
  
  

Click Save & Proceed to complete the setup. You’ll then be redirected to the main dashboard.

Onboarding Complete – Your Shopify store is now connected with AliExpress. Products, pricing, inventory, and orders are fully synced, and you’re ready to sell across global markets, including Europe, with GPSR compliance.