AliExpress Reportedly Restricts Sales of Memory and Storage Devices to Russian Users

Russian users of AliExpress have reported difficulties purchasing PC hardware components, such as DDR4 and DDR5 RAM , as well as M.2 SSDs . According to the Russian tech magazine Ferra.ru, these products became unavailable on the platform on February 25, with no clear timeline for their return.

Tech blogger Sergey Cherny first noted the issue, describing it as a possible “shadow ban” affecting Russian users. Ferra.ru later confirmed that many listings for these components were no longer accessible.

Evgeny Kharitonov, Ferra.ru’s editor-in-chief, suggested that the restrictions could be linked to increased compliance with international regulations. The U.S. has tightened oversight on the export of high-tech equipment to Russia, which may have influenced Chinese manufacturers or AliExpress.

Another possible factor is Chinese banking policies. Due to the risk of secondary sanctions, some financial institutions have periodically restricted transactions from Russia, potentially affecting purchases.

In 2024, some Chinese sellers temporarily withdrew from Ozon Global and AliExpress due to new legal requirements for business registration, returning after completing the necessary paperwork. A similar situation could be unfolding now, Ferra.ru wrote.

While technical issues or adjustments ahead of sales events could also explain the restrictions, Kharitonov considers this unlikely, as only specific computer components have been affected.

For now, Ferra.ru notes that while a complete ban on hardware purchases is not expected, buying RAM and SSDs directly from China may be more difficult. As a result, Russian users may need to rely on local suppliers, which could lead to price increases.

On February 27, 2025, the White House announced the extension of the national emergency concerning Ukraine, which automatically prolongs the sanctions imposed against the Russian Federation. The corresponding document will be published in the US Federal Register.