AliExpress is one of the biggest online stores in the world, offering a huge variety of products at great prices. However, figuring out how to pay for your purchases can be confusing. This guide will explain all the payment methods available on AliExpress, so you can choose the best one for you. Whether you're new to AliExpress or have been shopping there for years, understanding your payment options is important for a smooth and safe shopping experience.
Table of Contents
An Overview of the Payment Methods
AliExpress offers several ways to pay, here are some of the payment methods:
1. Credit and Debit cards
Using a credit or debit card is one of the most common ways to pay on AliExpress. The site accepts Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, and American Express
They are easy to use and don't require you to sign up for any extra apps or websites. This can help keep your information safe. However, there is still a risk of fraud, especially if your bank doesn't offer strong fraud protection.
To add your bank card on AliExpress, you need to enter your card number, cardholder name, expiry date, and CVV. AliExpress accepts Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Amex, JCB, Diners Club, Discover, MIR, Hiper, ELO, and TROY cards. If you don't want to enter your card details every time, you can save your card information
Pros:
Easy to Use: Most people have a credit or debit card.
Fast: Payments are processed quickly.
Secure: AliExpress protects your card information.
Cons:
Fees: Some banks might charge extra for international transactions.
Risk: If your card information is stolen, it could be used for fraud.
How to Use:
Choose your items and go to checkout.
Select credit or debit card as your payment method.
Enter your card details and confirm the payment.
2. PayPal
PayPal is a popular and secure way to pay, offering buyer protection, Although there are occasional reports of fraud with PayPal, it is still a popular and secure payment option for many people in western countries. PayPal has fraud protection policies and encrypts your bank or credit card information to keep it safe.
Currently, you can use PayPal on AliExpress only if you are in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates.
If your order is less than $20, you need to pay a $0.80 fee. For orders over $20, there is a 4% fee. This can make PayPal a bit expensive for larger payments.
Pros:
Secure: PayPal keeps your card information private.
Protection: PayPal helps with refunds if there’s a problem.
Easy: You can link your bank account or card to PayPal.
Cons:
Limited Availability: Not all sellers accept PayPal.
Fees: PayPal may charge for currency conversion.
How to Use:
Check if the seller accepts PayPal.
Select PayPal at checkout.
Log into your PayPal account and confirm the payment.
3. AliPay
AliPay is AliExpress’s own payment system, known for its security and efficiency. Although it was created for Chinese users, it is now available in many countries outside of China.
Using Alipay is free, and you can get discounts through Alipay Bonus when you pay with it.
To use Alipay, sign up on their website or app. Then, add your debit or credit card, such as Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, JCB, or Amex. After that, you can pay with Alipay at checkout without needing to enter your card details each time.
Pros:
Integrated: Works smoothly with AliExpress.
Secure: Protects your financial information.
Deals: Sometimes offers discounts.
Cons:
Setup: You need to create an AliPay account and link it to your bank or card.
Language: Some features may be in Chinese.
How to Use:
Create an AliPay account.
Link your bank account or card.
Select AliPay at checkout and complete the payment.
4. Wire Transfer
Wire transfers are good for large purchases but can be complicated. With a Wire Transfer, money is sent directly from one account to another. This method has been used for a long time and is considered secure.
However, AliExpress only accepts bank transfers in US dollars. You can use this payment method only if your order is at least $20. Also, some banks may charge a transaction fee.
Pros:
Large Purchases: Good for bulk or expensive items.
Secure: Direct bank-to-bank transfer.
Cons:
Fees: Can be expensive.
Slow: Takes several days to process.
How to Use:
Select wire transfer at checkout.
Follow the instructions to transfer money from your bank.
Confirm the transfer and wait for processing.
4. Western Union
Western Union is useful if you don’t have a bank account or card. Western Union lets you send money worldwide. It’s safe because it uses encryption to protect your data.
On AliExpress, you can use Western Union only if you spend at least $20. It only accepts payments from consumers to businesses, so you can't use it for consumer-to-consumer payments.
Pros:
Accessible: Available in many countries.
Secure: Reliable for sending money.
Cons:
Fees: Can be expensive.
Inconvenient: You need to visit a Western Union location.
How to Use:
Select Western Union at checkout.
Follow the instructions to send money.
Provide the tracking number to AliExpress.
5. Local Payment Methods
AliExpress supports various local payment methods depending on where you live, like iDeal (Netherlands), Giropay (Germany), Boleto (Brazil), and Sofort (Europe).
Pros:
Localized: Easy access for local users.
Lower Fees: Often cheaper than international methods.
Cons:
Availability: Not available everywhere.
Learning Curve: Might need to learn how the method works.
How to Use:
Choose the local payment method at checkout.
Follow the instructions.
Complete the payment and confirm your order.
Other Local Payment Methods
In addition to the payment methods mentioned earlier, there are a few other options you can use on AliExpress. These include Yandex, Carte Blue, PayU, Doku, and Boleto.
You can use one of these methods if you’re in a country where they are available. Each of these options works differently, so make sure to check which ones you can use based on your location.
Pros:
Localization: Tailored to specific regions for easier access.
Lower Fees: Often cheaper than international payment methods.
Cons:
Availability: Not all local methods are available in every country.
Learning Curve: May require understanding the specific method’s process.
How to Use:
Choose the local payment method at checkout.
Follow the specific instructions for that method.
Complete the payment and confirm your order
Tips for Secure Payments on AliExpress
Which is the best payment method on Aliexpress
Even though there are many payment methods available on AliExpress, not all of them may be available to you. Which payment method you can use depends on where you are and how much you're spending. It's hard to say which method is best or worst, so it's a good idea to use the more common and widely accepted ones to reduce risk.
For example, Alipay and PayPal are both secure and easy ways to pay on AliExpress. You can also use a credit or debit card or a bank transfer. Most suppliers on AliExpress are from China and usually accept credit/debit cards and bank transfers. Just make sure you only make payments through the AliExpress platform and not to any individual bank accounts outside of it, as your payment is protected only on AliExpress.
Also, if you're looking for products on AliExpress, you might want to use Sup Dropshipping. It helps you find high-quality and affordable products easily and for free.
Conclusion
Choosing the right payment method on AliExpress can make your shopping experience better and safer. Whether you prefer the ease of credit cards, the security of PayPal, or the convenience of local methods, AliExpress offers plenty of options. Happy shopping!