How to shop safely on AliExpress: sellers, reviews and buyer protection

AliExpress is one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, connecting shoppers in most countries with sellers based mainly in China. Prices can be remarkably low, especially on electronics accessories, tools, hobby supplies, phone cases and fashion. But because you are buying from thousands of independent sellers, the experience varies. A few habits make the difference between a good buy and a frustrating one.

Understand what you're buying from

When you buy on AliExpress, the platform handles payment and buyer protection, but the item is sold and usually shipped by a seller with their own store on the site. Some products are part of programmes run more directly by AliExpress, with standardised shipping and return terms in many countries; these are labelled on the product page. Everything else depends on the individual seller.

Choosing a seller

Before you buy, tap through to the seller's store and look at:

• Positive feedback percentage: high scores over a large number of orders are a good sign. A very high score on only a handful of sales tells you little.
• How long the store has been open: established stores have more to lose from bad reviews.
• Followers and sales of this item: a product with thousands of orders and consistent reviews is a safer bet than an unknown listing.
• Communication: a quick, clear answer to a question before you buy is a good sign of how a problem would be handled.

Reading reviews properly

Reviews are the most useful information on the page, if you read them well:

• Filter for reviews with photos. They show the real colour, size and finish.
• Read the 3-star reviews. They are often the most balanced and point out the real limitations.
• Check the variant. A listing can include several versions; make sure the reviews are for the one you're choosing.
• Look at recent reviews. A seller can change suppliers, and quality with it.
• Look for your country. Reviews from buyers in your country show how long delivery actually took.

Watch out for misleading listings

• The headline price may be for the cheapest variant, such as a cable without the charger, or a phone case instead of the phone. Select the exact option you want and check the price again.
• Storage and capacity claims on very cheap memory cards, USB drives and power banks are a classic trap. If a 2 TB flash drive costs a few dollars, it isn't 2 TB.
• Famous brand names at tiny prices usually mean imitations. Many big brands run official stores on AliExpress; check that the store name and badge match.
• Sizes often run small compared with US or European sizing. Use the seller's size chart in centimetres, not the letter size. Our online fashion guide has more on this.

Paying and saving

Always pay through AliExpress checkout. Never agree to pay a seller directly by bank transfer or another app, even for a discount: you lose buyer protection completely.

To save more, combine the seller's store coupons, AliExpress coupons and a promo code from a partner site such as Couponova's AliExpress page, where the rules allow. The biggest savings come during sale events, especially 11.11 Singles' Day, the anniversary sale in March and Black Friday.

Shipping and delivery

Delivery times depend on the shipping method, the seller's location and your country. The product page shows an estimate; tracked methods are worth choosing for anything valuable. Delivery can take longer during big sales and holidays.

Depending on where you live, import VAT or duties may be added at checkout or collected on delivery. If you're shipping to a country where couriers collect fees, factor them into the price.

Buyer protection: how it works

AliExpress offers buyer protection on orders paid through the site. The details are shown on the product and order pages, but in general you are covered if:

• the item doesn't arrive within the protection period, or
• the item arrives damaged, different from the description, or doesn't work.

Each order shows a countdown for the protection period. Two rules matter most:

1. Don't confirm receipt early. Confirming tells AliExpress the order is complete and releases payment to the seller. Only confirm once you have the item and it works.
2. Act before the countdown ends. If the parcel is late, ask the seller to extend the protection period, or open a dispute. Once protection expires, it is much harder to get help.

Opening a dispute

If something goes wrong, contact the seller first through AliExpress messages; many problems are solved quickly. If not, open a dispute from the order page. Include:

• clear photos or a short video of the problem, including the packaging and label;
• a screenshot of the listing showing what was promised;
• a calm, factual description and what you want (refund, partial refund or replacement).

Keep all communication inside AliExpress so the evidence is on record if the platform needs to step in.

A quick checklist before you pay

• Seller with strong feedback over many orders
• Recent photo reviews for the exact variant
• Price checked with the right option selected
• Delivery estimate and tracking acceptable
• Coupons and promo code applied
• Payment through AliExpress checkout only

Common questions

Is AliExpress safe to buy from?

Yes, if you choose sellers carefully and pay through AliExpress checkout. Orders paid on the site have buyer protection: you can ask for a refund if the item doesn't arrive or isn't as described, as long as you open a dispute before the protection period ends.

How do I choose a good seller on AliExpress?

Look for a high positive feedback percentage over many orders, a store that has been open for a while, and recent reviews with photos for the exact variant you want.

When should I confirm receipt on AliExpress?

Only when the item has arrived and you have checked that it works. Confirming receipt completes the order and releases payment to the seller, which makes problems harder to resolve.