When shopping online, security is always a concern. One of the ways to ensure that your personal and financial information is kept secure is by using an online payment platform that allows users to make purchases without sharing sensitive information with individual sellers and one such payment platform is PayPal.
As a matter fact, PayPal is one of the most popular payment platforms and it is hard to see anyone who doesn’t know about PayPal.
On the other hand, AliExpress is one the largest online marketplaces in the world. Therefore, it makes sense for the two to work together.
In this article, we’ll explore how you can use PayPal to make purchases on AliExpress and everything you need to know about PayPal on AliExpress.
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Why you may want to use PayPal on AliExpress
PayPal is a highly popular online payment platform that boasts of over 173 million users across 202 countries and in 21 different currencies. This payment service provider offers several benefits that make it a favorite among users and here are some of the reasons you may want to use PayPal on AliExpress:
- Compatibility: One of the main reasons for its widespread use is its compatibility with various bank cards, including MasterCard, Visa, American Express, UnionPay, and more, making it highly convenient and secure for users.
- Security: PayPal provides a secure platform for its users, with its advanced encryption technology, which ensures that personal bank information remains private and confidential. Additionally, users can make convenient bank transfers using only an email address or phone number, which is highly beneficial.
- Buyer protection: PayPal also provides valuable assistance to its users, especially when buying items online. The platform will reimburse buyers if they do not receive their purchased item or if the item is not as described. Furthermore, PayPal has a team that mediates between the buyer and seller in case of disputes, and a 14-day return policy.
- Speed and cost: These are other key benefits of using PayPal, with transfers taking only 1-3 business days, or just 30 minutes if opting for the instant transfer at a minimal cost of 1% (up to a maximum of $10). In summary, PayPal is a versatile and secure online payment platform that is widely used for its ease of use, security, and reliability.
Benefits of using PayPal on AliExpress
Having known why you may consider using PayPal, we can therefore say that using PayPal provides you with the following benefits:
- Firstly, PayPal provides an added layer of security when making purchases online. Because you don’t have to share your financial information with individual sellers, you’re less vulnerable to fraudulent activity or identity theft.
- Secondly, using PayPal can be more convenient than other payment methods, as it allows you to make purchases quickly and easily.
- Finally, PayPal also offers buyer protection, which means that if there’s an issue with your purchase, you may be eligible for a refund.
Can you pay with PayPal on AliExpress?
The partnership between PayPal and AliExpress has been a rocky one. The collaboration was launched in April 2010 but was withdrawn within a year due to the high fees imposed on buyers. The buyers were required to pay a 7% processing fee for PayPal plus the 5-8% commission taken by AliExpress, which made the fees unsustainable and redundant as both platforms offered the same buyer protection.
Today, you can once again use PayPal as a payment service on AliExpress as it is now one of the payment options on AliExpress.
However, there are certain conditions that must be met, including buying from the right country and the seller accepting PayPal as a payment method.
To check if a seller accepts PayPal as a payment method, buyers can follow any of these steps: check the payment section, contact the seller directly, or filter the “Ship To” options and set it to a country that supports PayPal. By following these steps, buyers can use PayPal on AliExpress, ensuring secure and convenient transactions.
List of countries that support PayPal payment option on AliExpress
The following countries support PayPal on AliExpress
- USA
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Germany
- Israel
- Spain (except AliExpress Plaza)
- Mexico
- Japan
- Brazil
- Portugal
- France
- Italy
- Austria
- Belgium
- Swiss
- Sweden
- Norway
- Turkey
- Netherlands
Setting up a PayPal account
Before you can use PayPal to make purchases on AliExpress, you’ll need to set up a PayPal account. To do so, simply visit the PayPal website and follow the instructions to create an account. You’ll need to provide some personal information, including your name, address, and email address.
How to use PayPal on AliExpress
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use PayPal on AliExpress:
1. Browse AliExpress and find the product you’d like to purchase, add them to your cart, proceed to checkout and then click the “Place Order” button.
2. A window with multiple payment option will pop-up. Select PayPal option.
3. Click the PayPal button to proceed.
4. You will be redirected to PayPal website. Sign in to your PayPal account to complete the purchase.
Common issues with using PayPal on AliExpress
While using PayPal on AliExpress is generally safe and convenient, there are a few potential issues to be aware of. One common issue is that some sellers may not accept PayPal as a payment method. If this is the case, you’ll need to use a different payment method, such as a credit card or bank transfer.
Another potential issue is that PayPal transactions on AliExpress may take longer to process than other payment methods. This is because AliExpress needs to verify the transaction with PayPal before completing the purchase. Although this often doesn’t take time but sometimes, it can take longer than expected. If you’re in a hurry to receive your order, you may want to consider using a different payment method.
Finally, it’s worth noting that there may be additional fees associated with using PayPal. These fees can vary depending on the seller and your location, so be sure to check the details before making a purchase.
Alternative to PayPal on AliExpress
If PayPal is not available in your country or you prefer not to use PayPal for some other reason, there are many other secure and fast payment options available on AliExpress, such as Visa, Mastercard, Alipay, Western Union, and more
AliExpress buyer protection will handle returns, refunds, and mediate any issues with sellers on their site, ensuring buyers receive the same protection they would with PayPal. Remember to compare the speeds and fees of different payment methods when shopping on AliExpress.
FAQs
Is PayPal available on all AliExpress orders?
No, some sellers may not accept PayPal as a payment method. Be sure to check the payment options before making a purchase.
Are there any fees associated with using PayPal on AliExpress?
This use to be an issue in the past where user have to pay additional fee when using PayPal to make payment on AliExpress. However, things have changed.
To address the issue of high fees, PayPal has shifted the additional fee from buyers to sellers when using their service on AliExpress. This change has made PayPal a more viable option for payments. However, buyers should be aware that their bank may impose currency conversion fees when using PayPal to make purchases.
What happens if there’s an issue with my order?
If there’s an issue with your order, you may be eligible for a refund through PayPal’s buyer protection program. But first, contact the seller on AliExpress to see if you can both resolve this amicably.
Can I use PayPal to pay for AliExpress purchases in my local currency?
Yes, PayPal will automatically convert your currency for you.
How long does it take for PayPal transactions on AliExpress to process?
This usually get processed immediately, but can sometimes take longer than expected. Sometimes, PayPal transactions may take longer to process than other payment methods due to the verification process. Be sure to plan accordingly when making a purchase.
Conclusion
Using PayPal on AliExpress can be a safe and convenient way to make purchases online. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can set up your PayPal account, link it to your AliExpress account, and start making purchases with ease. While there may be some potential issues to be aware of, using PayPal can provide added security and peace of mind when shopping online.
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