AliExpress United Kingdom: How to Buy on AliExpress from the UK Safely


You can check all the guarantees and shipping times directly on AliExpress by clicking here. And see all the frequently asked questions resolved in this other link.


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If you haven't started shopping on AliExpress, don't wait any longer. This online sales platform, in addition to being secure, offers quality Chinese brand products at prices you will not find elsewhere. Best of all: everything is delivered to your doorstep.

More and more people in the UK buy from AliExpress. If you want to do it and you don't know how, we invite you to continue reading, as we will tell you everything you need to know.

Go to AliExpress United Kingdom.

First step: register on AliExpress and get a welcome coupon, as well as a promotional coupon

The first thing to do is to register. As you can imagine, it is very simple, like registering on any other page. You have the option of automatically logging in through your Google or Facebook account, but we recommend registering with your e-mail, so you don't miss any notification about your orders. As soon as you register, AliExpress will offer you a Welcome Coupon, with which you can save a few pounds on your first purchase of any article you want. By clicking here you can enter and obtain this coupon.

At the end of the process, you only have to give the address where you want to receive the package (it can be your home or work, remember that you cannot give the address of a post office). Also, you should provide a phone number so they can reach you.

If you want to know more, read our guide on Discount Coupons on AliExpress.

Promotional code AliExpress United Kingdom

But AliExpress also has other ways to get discounts, such as promotional codes. If you enter the following code before paying, you will also save a little (you will not be able to use it at the same time as the welcome coupon).

  • PR1C91H3

If the promo code does not work, try this link instead.

How to find products with shipping to the UK on AliExpress

Important: Before you start looking for products and buying on AliExpress, make sure to settle de adjustments in the top right of the website with your country and currency. This way, you will only find in your searches the products with shipment to the UK. Having done this, you can start navigating and looking for those articles you want!

By clicking here you can enter the page with the settings as in the image below.

 

Use the new AliExpress search engine to look for your products, it is very useful since it allows filtering your search results by price, newest products, number of sales, among other options. You can also navigate through the categories.

Before buying, read the description and specifications of the product

There are two important things that you should not forget to do. First, you must read the entire description and details of the product. In the profile of the article you will find very useful information: size equivalency guide in the case of garments, for you to purchase according to your real measures, more pictures of the products, the different colors or models available, etc.

The second thing is to check the comments of other users that bought the article. Often, they provide real photos, as well as other comments about their shopping experience, for you to have an idea of the reliability of the seller. It is vital to buy only from sellers with a good reputation. You can check their scores at the top of the main page of the store. Find out more in our guide on finding reliable sellers on AliExpress.

Payment methods accepted for AliExpress UK

As with any online sales page, the most practical payment method is credit or debit card. On AliExpress, you can use Visa, Mastercard, Maestro debit, and American Express, among some others. Another option that more and more people use are prepaid cards (you can read a little more about this method here)

Of course, there are also other options, although the most recommended is the one we already mentioned, because the payment is faster and the refund processes are much easier. Other alternatives are Webmoney, iDeal, Przlewy24, Yandex.Money, Mobile Payment, Quiwi Wallet, PayU, Sofort Bank, Bancontact, or even bank transfer (the latter is not recommended)

Take into account that even if you make a single payment for all the products you have in your cart, you still will receive a separate package from every store that you may have bought in.

At Alixblog, we have a Guide on AliExpress payments that may interest you.

Is the AliExpress payment system safe?

You should not worry about security when buying online on this platform, since AliExpress uses Verisign SSL to protect all your data during operations, in addition to having the custody system, which ensures that your money is not released until you confirm that you have received your order correctly.

Shippings: How do they work for the United Kingdom

Shipments to the UK from China usually take much longer than to other countries in Europe due to the distance: normally from 20 to 60 days depending on the store, time of year, and of course the shipping method. Shipments are usually very cheap, and with AliExpress Standard Shipment, which is the method we recommend, sometimes shipments are free.

There are other methods, as you can see in the image below, with private mail companies. However, we do not recommend these options if you are not urged to have your product soon, because apart from being much more expensive, you run a greater risk of your order being held in customs.

To know more about shipping methods, you can read our Definitive Guide to Shipping Methods on AliExpress. And, for finding out all about shipping times, check our guide on shipping times on AliExpress.

For some time now, many AliExpress stores have started to open local warehouses in many countries of Europe and America. This is very good news, since you can get products with shipping from a country closer to yours, which means that you will receive them much earlier. For example, shipments from Spain take about 7 days through Cainiao Express Shipping.

 

But best of all, you can find many products with national shipping. That's right, you can receive them directly from the UK without going through customs and without paying taxes. To get products with shipping from the UK, or from any other country, you can filter your search in the search bar by clicking on “Ship from”, as you see in the image.

 

How to check the tracking number

Almost all shipping methods give you the option to track your package, so you know where it is at all times. This can be done through the AliExpress page, through the national mail page (depending on the shipping method), and through other pages such as 17track.net. In our Guide on tracking AliExpress orders, you can find out what the different messages that AliExpress shows when you track your packages mean.

Customs

When ordering from China, if your order exceeds £ 15, it is up to you to pay VAT, which in the UK is 20%. Many times, especially if the shipment is made by regular mail, the articles are not checked so carefully and it may be that, even if it exceeds the established price, you will not have to pay the tax (especially if it is a small package). But it is not worth the risk.

As for customs duties, which are another type of tax, you will have to pay them if the product costs more than £ 135. This tax is calculated according to the type of article, its price, and the country of origin. However, if your package comes from any country in Europe, you do not have to pay this amount. And if you ordered from a national warehouse, even better, because regardless of the price you will not have to pay any taxes.

Remember that the taxes generated by the shipment will always be paid by you and not by the seller. If your package is detained by customs, they will contact you and indicate the steps to follow. Do not worry if when you follow up your order there is a message that indicates “customs” on the AliExpress page, this is only part of the process, since the product must go through customs when leaving the country of origin and when entering the UK. You want to know more? Read our Guide about customs.

How to open a dispute on AliExpress if you have a problem with your order

Remember that to open a dispute you must be within 60 days of protection of the item, from the moment you pay. Then when you confirm receipt, you also have 15 days to do so if your item arrived with a problem. Remember to contact the seller first, and if he does not respond you can make your claim. You just have to click on “open dispute” from the list of your purchases in your AliExpres account. The seller will have to respond, otherwise, AliExpress will be able to intervene anyway. We recommend you read our Guide on claims, disputes and returns on AliExpress.

Frequent doubts and questions when buying on AliExpress from the UK

Here we leave the answers to some questions that we have been asked on the blog and that we find frequently about how to buy from the UK.

What should I do if my order has been detained by customs?

You should not worry about it, although you should be informed in advance of which taxes you must pay depending on the amount of the package, in case it is retained. In case you have to do a procedure or submit documentation, they will explain everything to you.

My order appears as delivered but I have not received anything

You should contact the shipping company and the seller to clarify the matter. In case your package has been delivered to someone else and the seller does not respond, you will have to open a dispute to request a refund. For this, you have to have proof from the postal company that the package was delivered to someone else; if you do not get this proof, you can use a package tracking website that can tell you where was your order delivered.

Can I buy from another country and send the order to the UK?

Of course, you just have to provide the address of the recipient after paying, as well as their phone number. Of course, they will have to take care of customs taxes, if that is the case.

I'm not at home much, can I send my orders to the post office?

This isn't possible. In case you are not reachable at home, you can always provide the address of your work, or any other in which they can find you during delivery hours.

How to change any details of my order

If your package has not been shipping yet, it is possible that you can change some details in the order by contacting the sellers (some of them may ask you to cancel the order and do it again). If your package has been already sent, then you won't be able to make changes. You can read our Guide on changing or canceling orders on AliExpress for more information.

Can I buy wholesale from the UK on AliExpress or Alibaba?

Yes, in fact, many people take advantage of the low prices and shop in bulk for commercial interests. Just make sure to be informed of how the procedure works for your country through specialized sources or a professional that can assist you. But you can know more about this by reading our guide How to buy wholesale on Alibaba.

Is it safe to buy on AliExpress from the UK?

You can be sure when shopping on this online platform. Its escrow system protects your payment and does not release it until you receive your confirmation that you have received the product, in addition, the website protects your data when making transactions. Because of this and its low prices, more and more people around the world decide to start buying on AliExpress. If you have not made your first purchase yet, in our Essential Buyers Guide for AliExpress we explain everything.

If you want to know more about how to buy safely, take a look at our on preventing any possible fraud or scam on AliExpress. We also have a section with tutorials in our blog, where we explain everything about payment methods, shipping, discounts, and much more.

What about you? Have you already bought on AliExpress from the United Kingdom? We would love to hear your opinion, do not hesitate to leave a comment below about your shopping experience.

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2 Comments

  1. i jist start dropshiping now in april 2021 can somebody tell me what i need.pay extra if cuatomers order from my shopify store and i order from aliexpress?like custom duty, vat hpw much is it?if for exaple smart watch coat 19 pound…

    Reply
  2. Finally a site that explains customs clearance in words everyone can understand..
    Thank you..

    Reply

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