Is AliExpress a Scam?

If you’re thinking of shopping on AliExpress, you need to know: Is AliExpress a scam? 

Below, we explain whether AliExpress is a scam and discuss some steps you can take to improve your safety when shopping on this site. 

What Is AliExpress?

AliExpress is an online shopping platform that sells a range of products, including electronics, home goods, clothing, toys, etc. 

It was launched in 2010 and is owned by the Chinese multinational e-commerce company Alibaba Group.

Originally, it was a business-to-business (B2B) marketplace, but the platform has since expanded to business-to-consumer (B2C) as well, with sellers selling products to buyers all over the world. 

Since most products come directly from Chinese manufacturers or wholesalers, customers can take advantage of low costs.

Is AliExpress a Scam?

No, AliExpress is not a scam. It’s a legitimate online retail platform. 

However, just because it’s legitimate doesn’t mean you’ll have a good shopping experience.

All purchases are made from third-party sellers (i.e., not AliExpress directly), so product quality and shipping reliability vary. Make sure to read customer reviews before buying anything from the platform, and be cautious of branded items or items with prices that are too good to be true.

Looking at online reviews and discussions, most users seem to have had a good experience, though the vast majority recommend that buyers exercise caution and conduct due diligence before making purchases on the platform.

AliExpress has Buyer Protection, which means customers can request refunds or returns if their item is not delivered, arrives damaged, or doesn’t match the description. 

Buyer protection also applies if the seller fails to meet their commitments (e.g., not honoring warranties or shipping agreements) and if they behave in an unacceptable way (e.g., they’re abusive in their communications). 

The platform’s escrow payment system (AliExpress holds the payment until order completion) provides an extra layer of security.

Some users report bad experiences with returns and refunds, but most people’s experience in this regard seems to be positive. 

Just make sure to never close a dispute if your issue is unresolved (i.e., you haven’t received the item or a refund). Once you close a dispute, you can’t reopen it, and the seller can disappear. Canceling the dispute removes all buyer protection. Some sellers may use this tactic to avoid refunding buyers. If the dispute remains open, the seller must either fulfill the order properly or risk losing the money.

AliExpress was previously listed as a top global source for counterfeit goods by the U.S. Trade Representative, but it does not appear in the 2024 list. 

At the time of writing, the AliExpress app has a 4.5 out of 5.0-star rating (from 15.8m reviews) and 500m+ downloads on Google Play  and a 4.7 out of 5.0-star rating (from 443,209 ratings) on the App Store. 

Security

In its privacy policy, AliExpress says it has implemented “appropriate technical and organisational measures” to prevent unauthorized access, but it does not go into detail as to what these measures are.

It also says that in the event of a data breach, it’ll notify users and regulatory authorities as required by “applicable data protection law.” 

According to the AliExpress Google Play page, the platform encrypts data in transit and allows users to request the deletion of their data. 

Privacy

AliExpress outlines the kind of data it collects and what it does with it in its privacy policy.

It collects data such as:

• Account and profile information (e.g., name, birthday, address, etc.).
• Payment information.
• Purchase information.
• Complaint information.
• Identity information (e.g., ID like a passport).
• Correspondence information.
• General personal information (e.g., body shape, height, and weight – if you provide such information).
• Platform activity information.
• Platform usage information (e.g., browser type, broad geographic location, etc.).
• Derived information (derived from browsing/buying activity).
• Social media content.
• Platform contacts.
• Profile information. 

AliExpress uses this information for purposes like supporting general platform services and advertising. 

It may share this information with third-party partners, service providers and/or affiliates, Alibaba group entities and affiliated companies, business partners, marketing and advertising partners, etc. 

Terms of Service; Didn’t Read (ToS;DR), a project that rates internet services’ terms of service and privacy policies, gives AliExpress a “Grade D.” This means, “The terms of service are very uneven, or there are some important issues that need your attention.”

The concerns listed include:

• AliExpress collects many different types of data. 
• It may keep personal information even after you request its erasure. 
• It tracks you on other websites.

On the plus side, ToS;DR says that AliExpress promises to let users know in the event of government inquiries involving their personal data and provides a complaint mechanism for handling personal information. 

In 2024, the European Commission started proceedings against AliExpress under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to look into possible violations related to content moderation, trader transparency, advertising practices, and data access.

In January 2025, the Austrian privacy advocacy group None of Your Business (noyb) lodged a complaint against six companies, including AliExpress, claiming they breached EU data protection laws by unlawfully transferring user data to China.

So, Should You Shop On AliExpress?

Depends. 

AliExpress is a safe online shopping platform as long as you buy from reputable sellers, read reviews, and stay away from deals that are too good to be true.

How to Use AliExpress Safely

• Be wary of suspiciously low prices. If an item seems too cheap to be real, it could be a counterfeit.
• Avoid buying well-known brands. Products advertised as Apple, Nike, or Adidas are often fake.
• Check product descriptions thoroughly. There have reportedly been instances where listings misled buyers by advertising low prices for accessories instead of the actual product (e.g., sunglasses case instead of sunglasses).
• Read reviews and ratings. In particular, look for user-uploaded photos and details on shipping times.
• Use a strong, unique password. Don’t reuse a password you already use elsewhere to prevent criminals from hacking into your account.
• Use AliExpress’ built-in payment system. Payments are held in escrow until you confirm delivery. Avoid direct payments outside AliExpress, as this voids your buyer protection.
• Don’t store payment details on AliExpress. This can help you reduce the risk of exposure in case of a breach. If possible, use secure payment methods like PayPal. 
• Don’t trust sellers who ask you to cancel disputes. Keep the dispute open until you receive and verify the item.
• Look for established sellers. If possible, only buy from sellers with a long history and high ratings.