A Comprehensive Explanation of Payment Methods and Security on AliExpress: What are the Safe and Cost-effective Payment Options?

• This artilce is for reference only as it is merely a translated version of the Japanese article below.
  AliExpressの支払い方法と安全性を徹底解説！安心・お得な決済方法とは？ (Japanese version)

Online shopping is expanding globally due to a wide variety of products and high convenience. Among them, AliExpress, a major Chinese e-commerce site, is popular for its affordable prices. However, purchasing from overseas e-commerce sites can sometimes raise concerns about payment methods and security.

This article explains the payment methods and security measures of AliExpress, as well as tips for a safe and enjoyable shopping experience. It also introduces recommended debit cards for savings and methods to handle potential issues.

Enjoy safe and cost-effective shopping on AliExpress!

What is AliExpress?

AliExpress is an online shopping site operated by Alibaba Group in China. It offers over 100 million products ranging from fashion and accessories to electronic devices and home appliances, delivering great cost-performance to people worldwide.

Is AliExpress Available in Japan?

The AliExpress website supports 16 languages, including Japanese, and can deliver products to Japan, making purchases as easy as using a local shopping site.

Creating an account is simple with an email address, and users can also log in with Facebook, x (formerly Twitter), or Google accounts.

To set the site in Japanese, simply set the destination, language, and currency to Japan and save the settings.

Source：AliExpress.com

Is AliExpress Safe?

AliExpress has been a reliable shopping site since its launch in 2010, now serving over 1.28 billion users annually across more than 190 countries and regions.

It has robust customer service, return guarantees, and secure payment rules to ensure safe transactions. For instance, there is a guarantee period until the product arrives and a service allowing up to three free returns within 15 days after the product arrives.

Various payment methods are supported, including PayPal, Alipay, and credit cards. Particularly, payments through Alipay or credit cards are secured in that the transaction only finalizes when the buyer confirms receipt of the product, preventing issues such as non-delivery despite payment completion.

AliExpress actively implements measures to alleviate the concerns associated with overseas shopping sites.

Reviews and Reputations of AliExpress

Summary of Reviews from Actual Users

Positive Feedback:

• Wide range of products at low prices
• Frequent discounts and sales
• Japanese language support available

Negative Feedback:

• Slow product delivery
• Poor product quality
• Some shops do not support Japanese well

According to the consumer review site Trustpilot, 77% of users gave a five-star rating, while 16% provided a one-star rating, primarily complaining about slow delivery and poor quality. Despite these, most transactions proceed smoothly, although variability exists depending on the seller.

Source：Trustpilot

Payment Methods Available on AliExpress

For users shopping from Japan, the following payment methods are available:

Security Measures for Credit Card Payments

AliExpress employs robust measures to ensure the safety and security of credit card transactions.

Initiatives to Protect Credit Card Information and Ensure Safety

Managed by Alibaba Group, ranked 9th in the global market cap and listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the platform guarantees a reliable system.

The website is SSL encrypted, ensuring that data exchanges are secure and inaccessible to third parties. This encryption keeps credit card and personal information safe from external breaches.

Source：AliExpress.com

Payment is processed through Alibaba Group’s Alipay, not directly with the shop, enhancing security.

The system ensures that payment is only finalized upon the receipt of goods by the buyer, thus preventing potential non-delivery issues.

What If There’s Fraudulent Use?

The likelihood of credit card fraud on AliExpress is minimal.

For added security, users should:

• Regularly check their card statements
• Register for the card company’s online service to monitor transactions promptly
• Immediately contact the card company if there are unrecognized charges
• Update the card company with any changes to contact details to receive timely verifications in case of suspected unauthorized use

Alternative Payment Methods

The following are details on alternative payment methods to credit cards.

Are convenience store payments and telegraphic transfers (overseas remittances) possible?

While AliExpress does not support convenience store payments, it accepts telegraphic transfers (overseas remittance) directly to its bank account in USD only. Note that converting from JPY to USD will incur a conversion fee.

On AliExpress, the majority of payments are made using credit cards or Alipay, and few shops accept telegraphic transfers.

Prepaid and Debit Cards

While AliExpress is a secure shopping site, branded prepaid and debit cards are recommended for those seeking even safer payment options.

Branded prepaid cards bearing names like VISA, Mastercard, or JCB function similarly to credit cards but must be preloaded before use. This feature limits the damage in case of unauthorized use.

Debit cards, which withdraw funds directly from a bank account, prevent overspending. They also help save on currency exchange fees typically associated with international online shopping payments.

Select Safe and Economical Payment Methods! Top Two Recommended Debit Cards

AliExpress primarily accepts payments via credit cards and debit cards.

Using a Japanese credit card on international shopping sites typically incurs a fee of about 3% to 3.8%.

As this fee is charged on every transaction, it is advisable for users who plan to shop on AliExpress to prepare a card that offers lower fees.

This introduction highlights two debit cards, “Revolut” and “Wise”, which can make payments on AliExpress more cost-effective. Let’s compare the fees associated with these to those of typical credit cards.

Typical credit cards charge between 3% and 3.8%, whereas Wise charges only 1.18%. Revolut charges between 0% and 0.5% on weekdays.

By utilizing Revolut during the weekdays and Wise during the weekends, the lowest possible fees can be achieved.

Next, the characteristics of each card will be detailed.

Revolut

Source：REVOLUT TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN

Revolut issues a “disposable virtual card” that can be used for single transactions.

Once the transaction is completed, the card information is erased, which significantly reduces the risk of data leakage and limits fraudulent use. Additionally, the option for refunds adds an extra layer of security for international shopping.

Revolut offers three plan tiers: Standard, Premium, and Metal.

The highest plan, Metal, offers 1% cashback (up to 5,000 JPY), effectively covering the monthly fee of 1,980 JPY with 200,000 JPY in spending.

Exclusive Offer: Three Months of Premium for Free

Applying for Revolut Premium via this page, which usually costs 980 JPY per month, now comes with three months free.

This is particularly recommended for users of international shopping sites and those who wish to easily manage foreign currencies.

By clicking the button below, you can access three months of Revolut Premium for free.

＼ Pay 980 JPY per month, now get three months for free! ／

Wise

Source：Wise Payments Japan K.K.

Wise offers numerous benefits including no annual fees and low currency exchange costs.

The service supports electronic payments, so transactions can be completed using a smartphone—an ideal feature for those who prefer not to carry wallets or cards. It is compatible with ‘Apple Pay’ for iPhones and ‘Google Pay’ for Android devices.

Another significant feature of Wise is its high level of security. It is registered as a money transfer business with the Financial Services Agency of the Kantō region, ensuring bank-level security standards, which allows users to open accounts with confidence.

Precautions and Troubleshooting Methods for AliExpress

This section provides tips to prevent issues on AliExpress and addresses how to handle them should they occur.

Shop Ratings and Product Reviews Check

Before making a purchase, it is important to check the shop’s ratings and the product reviews to avoid any potential problems.

Source：AliExpress.com

Shop ratings are assessed in three areas: the accuracy of the product description, the quality of communication, and the speed of delivery, with each area rated out of five points. If the rating is 4.7 or higher, it generally means that most users are satisfied with their purchase.

In the feedback section, reviews from actual buyers are available. If there are numerous negative comments, it is advisable to avoid purchasing from that shop.

Additionally, shops that have been in business for a longer period are generally more reliable.

Source：AliExpress.com

What to Do If Your Order Doesn’t Arrive?

Should an item not arrive, initially contact the seller to ascertain the situation. This can be done through the “Contact Seller” option on the detailed page of the undelivered product, accessible from the My Page on AliExpress. Communications should be sent in English or Chinese. Tools like Google Translate or DeepL are recommended for easy translation.

The arrival times for AliExpress items typically span 15 to 45 days with standard shipping and 7 to 15 days with premium shipping. Delays may occur, especially with sea freight or due to lengthy customs procedures. It is important to place orders well in advance, keeping these potential delays in mind.

Returns and Refunds

AliExpress has a buyer protection program that ensures refunds if items do not arrive, are damaged, or differ from what was ordered. If issues are unresolved after contacting the seller, this service provides a refund.

Please refer to the Customer Protection Program on the official AliExpress website for further information.

Maximizing the Shopping Experience on AliExpress

With the right knowledge and preparations, shopping on AliExpress can be both economical and secure. Choose the most suitable payment method to enjoy the best shopping experience on this trustworthy e-commerce platform.