AliExpress is a marketplace of mostly Chinese stores selling low-priced goods in nearly every category, with factory-direct, bulk and dropshipping options.
The rule to remember: each seller can run its own policies, and the homepage's free-shipping promise is tied to Choice orders, not every listing.
AliExpress organizes its catalog into departments that run from automotive parts, appliances and electronics to hair extensions and wigs, pet supplies, arts and crafts, baby and maternity, motorcycles and powersports, and business, industry and science goods. Its site footer lists it among Alibaba Group properties, next to Taobao, Tmall and 1688.
For business buyers, the homepage points to 10 local warehouses worldwide, over 20 million items set up for dropshipping and a 24H personalized sourcing service. Sellers register through separate sign-up paths for Chinese and non-Chinese businesses, and the company also runs an affiliate program and a DS Center for dropshippers. The site is also published in more than a dozen other languages, including Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean and Arabic.
When shoppers look for AliExpress coupons
AliExpress coupon searches stay fairly even all year: December leads, February trails.
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US Google searches, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026. Search interest, not sales.
Does AliExpress offer free shipping?
Yes. Choice orders ship free, per the homepage promise strip; other sellers' listings don't carry that promise, and the conditions aren't shown.
What is AliExpress' return policy?
The homepage lists 90-day returns beside the Choice shipping promise, without saying whether that covers every item or when the clock starts.
What payment methods does AliExpress accept?
Credit cards work everywhere, and pay later is offered in select regions; the pay-later provider isn't named.
More about shopping at AliExpress
Local warehouses
Items stocked in local warehouses ship free and arrive in 2-8 days.
Worldwide shipping
AliExpress ships to customers worldwide, with several shipping options and package tracking on each order.
New shoppers
Select homepage items carry prices reserved for new shoppers; no general first-order amount is stated.
Business buyers
Wholesale listings and a dedicated sourcing-agent service cover companies buying in bulk.
AliExpress asks you to apply a promo or discount code before you check out, so enter it while you're still reviewing the order.
Because the site is a marketplace, a seller's own terms can change what a code covers, and a code that works on Choice items may not reach another store's listing.
New-shopper prices sit on select homepage items, so those deals come with the product rather than a code.
If your cart mixes several sellers, check the total after the code goes in.
That way you can see which items it actually discounted before you pay.
If your AliExpress code doesn't work
Minimum order: "$12 Off AliExpress Orders" needs an order of at least $80; "$3 Off Storewide" needs an order of at least $10.
New customers only: The first-order offer (select homepage items are priced for new shoppers only) does not apply to repeat orders.
End date: "$33 Off" ends Nov 17, 2026; "Get $9 Off Your Order" ends Nov 17, 2026.
Where to enter it: Apply a promo or discount code before checking out.
Dollar Express bundles 3 items from $0.99, which suits small add-ons more than big purchases.
Filtering for Choice items gets you the free-shipping promise, and local-warehouse items ship free in 2-8 days.
Business buyers can use wholesale listings or hand the search to the sourcing-agent service instead of buying piece by piece.
Pay later in select regions spreads the cost, but it doesn't lower the price.
AliExpress questions, answered
Does AliExpress ship to the US?
AliExpress ships to customers worldwide, with several shipping options and package tracking. Some items also ship free from local warehouses and arrive in 2-8 days.
Is there an AliExpress discount for new customers?
New shoppers see special prices on select homepage items. Those prices belong to specific products, and no general first-order amount is stated.
Does AliExpress offer pay later?
Pay later is offered in select regions, alongside credit cards. The homepage doesn't name the pay-later provider.
Can businesses buy wholesale on AliExpress?
AliExpress runs wholesale listings for business buyers, plus a dedicated sourcing-agent service for finding products.