Last Updated on February 16, 2022
AliExpress is an e-commerce giant and a part of Alibaba Group, with millions of successful purchases behind them. So far, they’ve been making quite a number of improvements for the customer in terms of safety and payment options. Still, we want to take a closer look and answer the following questions:
- Is it safe to use a credit card on AliExpress?
- What are the payment options?
- Which one’s the best?
Yes, using credit and debit cards to shop on AliExpress is generally safe. Many people are concerned that fraudsters will steal their bank card information.
However, a lot of users have complaints about the unsafe experiences they have had concerning credit card theft on Aliexpress. There are scammers on the site who find it easy to steal. Because it is an international shopping site, international hackers are present to steal your personal information. A whole lot of buyers on Aliexpress have complained of being scammed or duped by fraudulent individuals.
AliExpress has implemented a number of security measures to make it the safest website for using credit or debit cards. In fact, AliExpress’ payment system is on par with that of Amazon and other major online retail platforms. Furthermore, AliExpress employs the “3D Secure” system to safeguard cardholders against possible fraud. The banking industry is the primary user of this technology. As a result, whenever you use your credit or debit card to make a purchase, you must confirm the transaction with the SMS password. AliExpress’s security features ensure that customers have a secure online shopping experience.
AliExpress Payment Methods & Options
Since AliExpress operates all over the world, it needs to cater to customers with different payment preferences and abilities. The platform gives users many different ways to pay. All of them are enhanced with smart functions and have a focus on better user experience. Let’s discuss them one by one.
Credit & Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards are still the most commonly used method for payment worldwide, which includes AliExpress. Generally, banks have favorable terms and keep the fees to the minimum. Another advantage is that you can get money back from purchases.
The website supports Visa debit/credit cards, MasterCard credit cards, Maestro debit cards, and American Express. Virtual prepaid cards are also accepted since many of them are connected to Mastercard or Visa.
PayPal
With PayPal, you don’t have to associate your bank account directly with AliExpress. Many buyers find comfort in knowing that they don’t have to share their credit card info. However, there haven’t been any particular reasons for concern.
Bear in mind that this method isn’t acceptable for all of the products available on the platform. Check with the seller whether they accept PayPal, and it should probably apply to all the products they offer.
Payoneer
Payoneer is an online payment service that offers you to open as many credit cards as you want. This is convenient for those who don’t want to mix business with their AliExpress shopping. Even though it’s a virtual bank, the service is authorized and regulated by different international bodies. This should give you a clue about its reliability and cyber protection.
Western Union
Western Union is an international system of urgent money transfers. Although it’s a lesser-used service than the ones we’ve mentioned, it’s a viable AliExpress payment method.
There are, however, some drawbacks. Particularly, you can only use Western Union for purchases over $20. Also, the delivery of funds is much slower since you have to go to an office, fill out the form, and wait up to 3 days for verification.
Bank Transfers
Bank transfers are some of the least recommended forms of payment. The reason is that, similarly to Western Union, it only applies to orders of $20 and up. Moreover, you need to pay in dollars and make an international transfer, which you will likely have to pay fees for. It’s completely safe but not the most convenient.
Other Payment Methods
Here is a list of other AliExpress payment options which are used less often but work smoothly:
- Webmoney
- Yandex.Money
- QIWI
- DOKU
- Ticket
- tefPAY
- iDeal
Some of these services are particularly focused on one country or region. So, they may not be the best for all international buyers, but if the provider suits you, you can confidently go for it.
Can You Pay in Your Local Currency?
Yes, you can select AliExpress currency in the settings of the website. Change it to the currency of your bank card or other your preferred payment method at any time. Currently, almost all world currencies are available, so you shouldn’t have difficulties in this regard.
If your local currency isn’t supported, the payment will be taken care of by the currency exchange in your bank. The conversion will be from dollars to your local currency. We recommend checking with your bank in advance because you’ll be the one paying exchange fees. This way, you’ll know exactly what the total bill will be.
Another thing that helps to find out the total costs is to select the country where the order will be shipped. Depending on where you live, there might be special offers and other times or additional charges.
How Do You Change AliExpress Currency?
The process is incredibly simple:
- On the website’s home page, you will see a currently chosen country flag in the upper right corner.
- If you click on the flag once, the page will show more options, like Ship To, Language, Currency.
- Choose the currency that you need from the drop-down menu, and that’s it.
- All the products should now be displayed in a new currency.
As we’ve mentioned, if you select the right option in the Ship To section, you will have more accurate information about the costs.
Is It Safe to Use Credit / Debit Cards on AliExpress?
Now, we’ve finally come to the question, “Is AliExpress safe to use credit card?” The answer is yes, and 60 million active buyers during the past 12 months can verify that.
Here are some measures that the website uses for all users and purchases:
- Privacy protection: Buyers’ personal and financial details are protected under applicable data protection laws.
- Payment protection: AliExpress uses an escrow payment system, which means the payment is sent to the seller only after a successful shipment. When you receive your package, you need to confirm that it’s in good condition, and only then can the seller get access to these funds.
- Delivery protection: If something doesn’t arrive like it was supposed to, you can file a dispute and resolve the issue quickly.
- Genuine product protection: All the products are guaranteed to be authentic and in good condition. In case you receive a counterfeit product, you can ask for a refund.
It’s absolutely understandable to be worried about online transactions, especially if you’ve never used the website before. To enhance the security of your purchases, even more, follow these tips:
- Check the seller guarantees and reviews from buyers;
- Consider opening a separate credit card that is used for nothing but automatic payments and online purchases
- Set limits for card’s authorized users
- Get real-time purchase alerts
- Do not confirm delivery before receiving the order
- Never send money to a seller’s bank account
What Is the Best & Safest Way to Pay on AliExpress?
We’ve gone over multiple AliExpress payment methods – from major international ones to more local alternatives. Based on our research and other people’s experiences, all of them math high safety and reliability criteria for all kinds of purchases. With any method you chose, the payment will be processed, and you’ll get your product shipped without any trouble.
It ultimately depends on which provider you personally trust and enjoy using. Different options might vary in the processing times and the terms for topping-up, paying, and withdrawing funds.
For most people, their chosen method is their bank’s credit card or PayPal, but you’re not limited to these two options. The website guarantees that your money will stay safe in any case, so it’s up to you.
AliExpress Payment FAQ
Lastly, let’s answer common queries that are related to the question, “Is it safe to use cards on AliExpress?”
What is the safest way to pay on AliExpress?
Making payments on AliExpress is entirely safe, as the funds do not get released to the seller until you confirm that the order process has been successful. Some of the payment methods accepted by AliExpress are:
- Card payment
- Web Money
- Mercado Pago
- Western Union
- Bank transfer
Learn more about each method here!
Why is AliExpress not accepting my debit card?
There is a variety of reasons why your payment card may be declined, including:
- lack of funds
- non-supported card type
- incorrect CVV code
- expired card
- exceeded card limit
Check the full list of possible causes of card rejection here.
How do I pay AliExpress without a debit or credit card?
If you don’t want to use the card payment option on AliExpress, there are still plenty of alternative methods to choose from, including:
- Alipay
- Web Money
- Western Union
- Mercado Pay
- Bank transfer
How to Solve AliExpress Payment Problems & Issues?
The quickest way to sort an issue is to go the DIY route. Do go to the self-service tool in the Help Center and browse through the topics until you find the right one. Also, check the tables with Error code where you’ll be provided with a reason and suggestions. If you don’t find the solution, go to Disputes & Reports.
Why AliExpress Payment May Fail?
Firstly, you need to make sure the phone number you gave to Ali matches the phone number to which your card is registered. Sometimes, orders aren’t updated due to long processing times. Other times, it’s an issue on the payment provider’s end, in which case you need to contact the provider directly.
How to Cancel Order After Payment & How to Receive Funds in Case of Cancellation?
Go to the My Orders section of your account and click Cancel Order. Then, click Request Order Cancellation and give the reason for cancellation. If the seller confirms the request, you will get a refund automatically.
