AliExpress Rules and Terms of Use for Buyers

AliExpress is an online platform where buyers order products from different sellers. By using the website, app, account, orders, coupons, reviews, disputes and other platform features, the user agrees to the official AliExpress rules.

This material is intended for buyers. It does not cover requirements for stores, sellers, product listings, product certification or the placement of products on the platform.

This article is not legal advice.

Which official documents govern the use of AliExpress

Several official AliExpress documents are important for buyers:

1. Terms of Use — the main terms for using the AliExpress website, app and services. The version used for this article was updated on June 1, 2026, effective July 1, 2026.
2. Privacy Policy — the rules for processing personal data. The version used for this article has been in effect since October 14, 2025.
3. Free Membership Agreement — the rules for a free AliExpress account. The version used for this article was updated on March 1, 2025, and came into effect on April 1, 2025.
4. Additional platform rules — if applicable to a specific feature, order, promotion, return, dispute, coupon or service.

If any point in this article, translation, summary or other language version differs from the official English-language text of AliExpress, the English version of the relevant official document takes priority.

AliExpress may update its rules. New terms are usually published on the platform’s official pages. Continued use of the website or app after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

That is why, in case of a serious issue with an order, return, dispute, account restriction, personal data or coupons and promo codes, it is better to check the current version of the rules on the official AliExpress website.

Who can use AliExpress

AliExpress may be used by a person who has the legal capacity to accept the platform’s terms on their own. In most cases, this refers to adult users.

If an account is created or used by a minor, or by a person who cannot independently accept such terms, issues may arise with registration, orders, payment, returns, disputes or the processing of personal data.

What account registration means

Account registration means that the user accepts the AliExpress rules and is responsible for actions taken through their profile.

The buyer must provide accurate and up-to-date information: name, phone number, email address, shipping address, payment information and other details that may be needed for an order, delivery, return, dispute or account verification.

If this information changes, it should be updated. An incorrect address, an old phone number or a mistake in the name may lead to delivery delays, return issues or order cancellation.

AliExpress may also request additional information or user verification. This may be needed for payment security, processing a return, handling a warranty request, customs clearance, complying with legal requirements or accessing age-restricted products.

In some cases, the platform may ask the user to verify their age, for example through a selfie, a document or a third-party verification service. If the user does not complete the required verification or fails to provide the requested information, AliExpress may restrict certain features, an order, access to a product or the account itself.

One buyer, one account

AliExpress generally limits each buyer to one personal account, unless the platform expressly allows otherwise. Additional profiles may lead to restrictions, especially if they are used to bypass rules, promotions or blocks.

Users should not create new accounts to receive a new-user bonus again, bypass limits on coupons and promo codes, take part in a promotion that has already been used, open a dispute after restrictions, obtain an unjustified refund, influence reviews or continue shopping after the main account has been blocked.

AliExpress may link accounts based on technical and behavioral signals: device, IP address, payment details, shipping address, contacts, order history and other matches. If the platform believes that several profiles are controlled by the same person, it may restrict their functions, cancel bonuses, close orders or block access.

Account access and security

Passwords, verification codes and account access must be kept confidential. AliExpress staff, sellers and third-party websites should not ask you for your password or a one-time login code.

The account owner is responsible for actions that take place through their profile. If an order, dispute, review or other action is made after logging into your account, AliExpress may treat it as an action made by you.

Do not share your login, password, verification codes or profile access with other people. You should also avoid staying logged in on someone else’s device or sharing your profile with multiple users.

Before signing in, check the website or app address. Do not access your account through suspicious links in messages, emails, ads or comments, especially if they promise coupons, a refund or an urgent order check.

If you sign in to AliExpress from someone else’s device, do not save your password in the browser and log out after use. Do not install suspicious extensions that promise automatic discounts, coupons or cashback: they may steal credentials or hijack links.

If you lose access to your account, or notice unfamiliar orders, messages, changes to your address, phone number or payment details, recover access through the official AliExpress tools and contact support.

How AliExpress uses personal data

AliExpress processes data needed to operate the account, place orders, process payments, deliver goods, handle returns, disputes, support requests and platform security. This may include name, email address, phone number, shipping address, order details, payment information, correspondence, returns and requests to customer support.

The platform may also use technical data: IP address, device, browser, approximate location, cookies and activity on the website or in the app. This information helps maintain the service, protect accounts and detect suspicious activity.

To process an international order, some information may be shared with sellers, delivery services, payment providers, customs or warranty partners, support teams, Alibaba Group companies and, in some cases, government authorities if required by law. This does not mean that all data is shared with all parties: information is usually used for a specific purpose, such as accepting payment, delivering a parcel, processing a return, reviewing a dispute or checking account security.

Some data becomes public if the user publishes it on AliExpress. For example, other buyers may see a nickname, avatar, rating, review text, photos or videos. For this reason, you should not post your phone number, address, passport details, banking information, other people’s data or images you do not want to make public in reviews, questions or comments.

Can personal data be changed or deleted?

The buyer can change some data directly in the account settings, including name, shipping address, phone number, email address and other profile details. If incorrect information has already been added to an order, it is better to check whether it can be changed before the product is shipped, or contact the seller and AliExpress support.

Depending on the country and applicable law, the user may have the right to request access to their personal data, correction, deletion, restriction of processing or withdrawal of consent.

At the same time, deleting a buyer account does not always mean that all information will disappear immediately. AliExpress may retain some data if it is needed for legal compliance, account security, disputes, returns, investigations, accounting records or the protection of the platform’s and users’ rights.

AliExpress is a platform, not the seller of every product

AliExpress provides a marketplace where buyers and sellers can enter into transactions. In most cases, the platform is not the seller of a specific product and does not represent either the buyer or the seller in an individual purchase.

This means that the product, its description, package contents, quality, delivery and return terms are usually determined by the specific seller. Before paying, the buyer should carefully check the product listing: the selected model, size, color, specifications, photos, reviews, seller rating, delivery time, return terms, warranty and any possible taxes or import restrictions.

AliExpress may provide tools for payment, delivery, disputes, returns and buyer protection. These tools, however, do not replace a careful review of the order before purchase.

What risks buyers should consider

The official AliExpress rules make it clear that a purchase on the platform remains a transaction between the buyer and a specific seller. For this reason, not every issue with a product, delivery or description automatically becomes the marketplace’s responsibility.

In practice, the risks may vary: the product may arrive different from what the buyer expected, the description may be incomplete, the specifications may be inaccurate, the parcel may be delayed, the item may be damaged in transit, or the product may be subject to restrictions in the buyer’s country. Sometimes a dispute arises not because of fraud, but because the buyer and the seller understood the order terms differently.

That is why, before paying, it is important to look not only at the price and discount, but also at the seller, the selected product option, delivery and return terms, possible taxes, customs duties and import restrictions.

What to check before placing an order

Before paying, make sure you have selected the exact product you need. Check the title, model, size, color, package contents and compatibility with your device, car, socket type, equipment or local standards.

Separately, review the seller and the purchase terms: store rating, reviews with real photos, delivery cost and estimated delivery time, availability of free returns, warranty terms if provided, and any possible taxes, customs duties or import restrictions in your country.

If an important specification is missing from the description, it is better to ask the seller before paying. Screenshots of the product listing, the selected option and the conversation may be useful if a dispute arises later.

Coupons, promo codes and bonuses

Coupons, promo codes, coins, discounts and new-user bonuses work only under the terms of a specific promotion. They may be limited by country, order amount, product category, seller, validity period, currency, account or number of uses.

If a discount is not applied, it is not always an error. The product may not be included in the promotion, the order amount may be too low, the coupon may have already been used, or the offer may be available only to certain users.

Users should not create additional accounts, bypass limits, artificially split orders or use automated schemes to obtain discounts repeatedly.

If AliExpress detects promotional or account abuse, the platform may cancel the coupon, close the order, restrict bonuses or take action against the account.

Disputes, returns and buyer protection

A dispute on AliExpress should be opened only when there is a real issue with the order: the item did not arrive, arrived damaged, differs from the description, is missing part of the package contents, or the seller did not fulfill the stated terms.

Opening a dispute “just in case,” to pressure the seller or to obtain unjustified compensation is not advisable. AliExpress may take such actions into account when assessing the account, especially if disputes are frequent or appear to be abusive.

To make the dispute clear, it is better to show the problem right away: add photos of the product and packaging, an unboxing video, a screenshot of the description, correspondence with the seller, tracking information or other evidence. If the issue is technical, a service report or another confirmation of the defect may be useful.

Dispute, return, buyer protection and appeal periods depend on the specific order, delivery, parcel status, product category, seller terms and current AliExpress rules. Exact deadlines should therefore be checked in the order details and in the current Buyer Protection rules.

What counts as abuse of returns and disputes

AliExpress may treat not only direct fraud as a violation, but also repeated attempts to obtain a refund or compensation without a real reason. For example, this may apply if a buyer claims that an item was not received even though the parcel has already been delivered, opens identical disputes without new grounds, or requests a refund for a problem that does not actually exist.

Abuse may also include attempts to bypass rules through multiple accounts, obtain compensation again after a refund has already been issued, pressure the seller through a dispute, review or complaint, or demand a gift, discount or extra item that was not part of the order.

If the problem is real, the dispute should be described calmly and precisely: what was ordered, what arrived, what is different, what evidence is available and what solution you are requesting. This increases the chances that the dispute will be reviewed on its merits rather than treated as an attempt to pressure the seller.

What to remember when returning a product

If the dispute resolution or order terms require the product to be returned, the buyer may receive a refund only after following the return rules. Before shipping the item back, it is important to check who pays for return shipping, which address is shown in the AliExpress system, how much time is allowed for shipment and whether a tracking number is required.

Do not send the product to an address that the seller provided only in private messages, unless that address is confirmed in the AliExpress system or in the official return terms. Otherwise, it may be harder to prove that you followed the platform’s requirements.

Keep the receipt, tracking number, photos of the parcel, proof of shipment and other delivery information. These details may be needed if the product does not reach the seller, the refund is delayed or if the dispute needs to be reopened.

Reviews on AliExpress

A review on AliExpress should describe the buyer’s real experience: what was ordered, what arrived, the condition of the product, and how closely it matches the description. Users should not write reviews for orders that did not exist or deliberately misrepresent the situation.

AliExpress may treat fake positive reviews, false complaints, rating manipulation through multiple accounts, requests for other people to leave dishonest reviews, or review extortion as violations. This includes threatening negative feedback to demand discounts, gifts or refunds.

If the buyer has a connection to the seller, store or product, it should not be hidden. Reviews should also not include insults, threats, personal data, advertising links or suspicious links.

If there is a problem with an order, it is usually better to contact the seller first and, if the issue is not resolved, use the dispute process. A review should not be used as a way to pressure the seller.

Content, photos and videos on AliExpress

The buyer is responsible for the text, photos, videos, reviews, questions, answers and messages they publish on AliExpress. Such content must not be misleading, violate the law, infringe the rights of others or break the platform’s rules.

Users must not publish insults, threats, defamatory statements, discriminatory remarks, spam, advertising, phishing links, malicious files, or other people’s photos, texts, logos or materials without the right to use them.

Users should also avoid posting other people’s personal data without permission, offering transactions outside AliExpress, or publishing complaints in places where the platform’s rules require users to contact support instead.

When a user uploads a review, photo, video, question, answer or other material to AliExpress, the platform may use it as part of its services: store it, display it to other users, process it, adapt it and moderate it.

For this reason, users should not upload other people’s photos without permission, images of documents, bank cards, addresses, phone numbers, passport details or photos of other people without their consent. It is also better not to publish materials that you do not want to be publicly visible.

If photos or videos are needed for a dispute, upload only materials that actually support the issue with the order and, where possible, blur or redact any sensitive personal data.

AliExpress may remove, hide, modify or restrict content if it believes that the content violates the rules, the law, third-party rights or the platform’s interests.

Products, restrictions and local laws

Before making a purchase, it is important to consider not only the AliExpress rules, but also the laws of your own country. Some products may be prohibited from import, require declaration, certification, payment of customs duties or special permits.

Questions most often arise with electronics, batteries, radio devices, cosmetics, medical products, children’s products, automotive goods, and products involving trademarked brands, logos or other intellectual property rights.

If a product cannot be imported, shipped or used in your country, the problem may appear after payment: at customs, during delivery, when returning the product or during a dispute. Before ordering expensive, specific or potentially restricted products, it is better to check local rules and possible restrictions in advance.

Third-party websites, links and services

While using AliExpress, a user may be redirected to third-party pages: payment services, delivery service websites, partner pages, advertising offers, promo code services or cashback services. Such websites may have their own rules and privacy policies.

Before entering any data, check who owns the page and why it is asking for information. Do not enter your login, password, bank card details or verification code on suspicious websites, even if the page promises a coupon, a refund, a gift or an urgent order check.

Websites with promo codes, product selections, cashback or advertising links are not AliExpress customer support. They may help you get to a product or promotion, but they cannot guarantee delivery, dispute resolution, a refund or the security of your account.

Why AliExpress may restrict an account

AliExpress may restrict an account if it detects a rule violation or considers the user’s activity suspicious. This may include not only direct fraud, but also false information, abuse of returns, linked accounts, suspicious payments, bots, automated actions or attempts to bypass promotion terms.

The consequences depend on the situation. The platform may remove a review, message, photo or other content, cancel an order, refuse to apply a coupon, restrict certain features, temporarily suspend the account or block access to AliExpress services. In some cases, restrictions may also affect linked accounts.

If the restriction appears to be a mistake or the situation is disputed, the buyer should keep documents, screenshots, correspondence and order details, and contact official AliExpress support. At the same time, the buyer may still have rights under the laws of their country.

Limitation of Liability

The official AliExpress rules state that the services are provided “as is” and “as available.” In simple terms, the platform does not guarantee that the website, app, delivery, product information or third-party services will always operate without errors, delays or interruptions.

AliExpress also limits its liability for matters that depend on sellers, other users, delivery services, payment providers, external circumstances or information posted by third parties. This may include product quality, seller actions, delivery delays, technical issues, product defects or inaccuracies in the description.

At the same time, the buyer is not left without protection tools. If an issue arises with an order, it should be handled through the available platform mechanisms: communication with the seller, a dispute, return, appeal, support and the rules of the specific order.

Key points to remember

AliExpress can be used more safely if buyers treat their account, orders and disputes as real legal actions, not just buttons in an app. Provide accurate information, check the product before paying, keep order-related evidence and do not use coupons, returns or reviews to bypass the rules.

The platform gives buyers tools for payment, delivery, disputes and returns, but it does not remove the buyer’s responsibility for choosing the product and seller. If the situation is disputed, it is better to rely on the current official platform rules rather than third-party summaries or interpretations.

Source: official AliExpress documents — Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Free Membership Agreement.

Reviewed by the editorial team: June 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions