With so many essentials going up in price, you're probably looking for more ways to save — and looking to new sites for bargains. AliExpress is still pretty new to U.S. shoppers. But it opens up a world of deals on tech, toys beauty products, clothing, furniture, jewelry, and more.
You can think of it as an online dollar store (with a much bigger selection than a physical dollar store). Plus, there are some deals on higher-priced items that sell for much less on AliExpress than they would at a U.S.-based retailer. However, there are some quirks to be aware of, as well as some unique types of deals you won't find anywhere else.
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What's on this page:
What is AliExpress?
AliExpress is an online marketplace with deep discounts; it's based in China and owned by Alibaba Group. If you've heard of the Alibaba site, yes, it's the same company. But while Alibaba is for businesses buying things in bulk, AliExpress is for regular shoppers.
When you shop at AliExpress, you're buying from wholesale retailers and manufacturers, leading to the low prices. Some items cost just pennies!
What KCL Editors Think You Should Know
While you can save a lot of money at AliExpress, there are some things to be aware of if you're used to traditional retailers:
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Yes, it's legit, but check the ratings and reviews: Quality may vary, and that's no different from other online discounts sites like Temu and Amazon Haul. You're scoring things for super cheap, so make sure you understand exactly what you're getting.
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Shipping may take a bit longer: Shipping times vary, and it all depends whether you're buying something that's in a U.S. warehouse or something that's still overseas. AliExpress sometimes bundles international shipments together to keep shipping costs low, which could mean you need to wait as long as two weeks in some cases. Be sure to check the shipping estimate on the product page. However, some items in U.S. warehouses ship in as little as two days (look for anything that says "Ship from the United States" on the product page).
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Signing up for an AliExpress account is a little different: AliExpress doesn't use traditional usernames and passwords. You can create a passkey using your fingerprint (if your device supports that). You can link a Google, Facebook, or X account. Or just enter your email address, and AliExpress will send you a 4-digit code that you can use to log in.
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Note any import charges before you buy: Tariffs are a fact of life these days, and on AliExpress, you're shopping from international sellers. For many products, though, the AliExpress price you're shown includes all import charges, so you won't be surprised at checkout. Look for the words "Import Charges Included" as you shop. For product prices that don't include import charges on the product page, those charges will get shown at checkout. And once you've placed your order, you won't have to worry about getting hit with extra fees later. See more details about tariffs on AliExpress.
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Refunds and return policies can vary: Returns and refunds are available, but pay attention to the fine print. For many AliExpress items, only the first return on each order is free, and you can make only five returns per month. And some sellers have their own unique return policies, so be sure to review them before purchasing, especially for higher-priced or fragile items. See AliExpress's full return policy.
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Plenty of items ship free: Millions of items on AliExpress ship free, but not all. Check the product page for shipping charges. These can vary by seller.
How to Save the Most on AliExpress
AliExpress may take some getting used to because there are so many unique types of deals. It can feel like a chaotic real-world market sometimes. But that's part of the fun. Here are some tips for saving the most:
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Look for free items with purchase: Look for items that have the "free with purchase" label. Those can be added onto your order at no cost to you. These tend to be small items like stickers, watches and watch bands, art supplies, and party favors.
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Use promo codes: You'll see current promo codes right on the AliExpress homepage. These are usually buy-more-save-more offers. A recent promo code, for example, was for $7 off orders of $49 or more, $9 off orders of $69 or more, and $13 off orders of $99 or more.
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Shop bulk deals: With bulk deals, the more you buy, the more the per-item cost goes down. This is common for things like party favors, socks, art supplies, and more. When you're looking at a product, see how many package sizes there are. We recently spotted a deal on face razors, which brought the per-item cost down to $0.06 when you bought 30, compared to $0.15 when you bought just five. If it's something you want to stock up on, consider looking for a bulk option.
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Look for Dollar Express bargains: In this section of AliExpress, you'll find items that are deeply discounted to around $1. There's usually a limit of three Dollar Express items per transaction. Oh, and shipping is free.
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Make the most of new-shopper discounts: When you look at prices on AliExpress, you might see two prices. One is the regular cost, and the other (smaller) amount is for first-time shoppers. If you spot something you've been meaning to buy, and it's your first time shopping AliExpress, don't wait on these "New Shopper Only" prices, because you can get them only once.
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