AliExpress is one of the largest Chinese online marketplaces, fully available worldwide. You can find thousands of products there - from electronics, through accessories, to home goods - often at prices you won’t see in local shops. But before you place your first order, it pays to learn a few rules that will save you from disappointment.
How to choose a good seller
Thousands of independent sellers operate on AliExpress, and their quality varies a lot. Before buying, always check a few things.
- Seller ratingLook for sellers rated above 95% positive feedback. The number of orders matters too - a seller with 10,000 orders is safer than one with 50.
- Time in businessCheck how many years the store has been active. Shops open for more than 2 years have an established reputation.
- Reviews of the specific productThe store rating is one thing, but also read reviews of the exact product you want. Pay attention to buyer photos - they show what the item really looks like.
- Seller responsivenessA good seller answers buyer questions in the Q&A section. No reply, or no answer after 3 days, is a warning sign.
What to check before you click "Buy now"
Even with a good seller, it’s worth verifying a few things before you pay.
- Product variantMake sure you picked the right size, color or specification. On AliExpress it’s easy to accidentally order a different version than the one shown in the listing cover.
- The written descriptionListing photos can be misleading - read the technical description, especially for electronics.
- Total price with shippingAlways check the full cost, including shipping options. Some sellers deliberately lower the product price while raising the delivery fee.
- Delivery timeStandard air mail can mean up to 60 days. If you’re in a hurry, choose AliExpress Standard Shipping or an option shipped from within Europe.
Buyer Protection - how it works and when to use it
AliExpress offers a Buyer Protection program that covers practically every order. With it, you can claim a refund in two cases: if your order doesn’t arrive within the stated time, or if the product differs significantly from the description.
You open a dispute via "My Orders" → select the order → "Open Dispute". You have up to 15 days after the guaranteed delivery date passes. Crucial: take photos or record a video while unboxing the parcel - that’s your main evidence in a dispute.
Important
Don’t confirm receipt of the order in the app until you’ve checked the contents of the parcel. Once you confirm receipt, your options for a complaint are heavily limited.
Which payment method to use
The most convenient and best-protected payment methods are a Visa/Mastercard credit or debit card and PayPal. Paying by card lets you use your bank’s chargeback procedure if a dispute with AliExpress doesn’t work out. Avoid bank transfers directly to the seller - outside the platform you have no protection.
Customs duty and VAT - what you need to know
Since July 2021, the EU charges VAT on all parcels from non-EU countries, with no minimum value threshold. This means you pay VAT on every AliExpress purchase - usually AliExpress collects it at checkout (via IOSS). If the parcel value exceeds 150 EUR, customs duty is also added (the rate depends on the product category, usually 0–12%).
For orders from local European warehouses (marked "Ship from Europe") you pay no customs duty and VAT is already included in the price - the simplest option if you want to avoid customs complications.
Tips that make your first purchases easier
- Start with cheap products (under 10 EUR) to learn a seller’s quality before bigger purchases.
- Use the "4 stars and up" filter when browsing results - it cuts out most poor offers.
- Check the "Sales" and "Super Deals" tabs - the AliExpress algorithm often puts genuinely cheap bargains there.
- During big sales (11.11, 12.12) prices can be 30–50% lower - add products to your wishlist in advance and buy on the sale day.
- The AliExpress mobile app often shows better prices than the browser version.
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