Is AliExpress legit? How to source safely from China
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Considering AliExpress for sourcing your products? You’re probably wondering whether it’s legitimate – and more importantly, whether it’s right for your business needs.
AliExpress is a marketplace owned by the Alibaba Group. The e-commerce platform operates as a marketplace connecting buyers with thousands of third-party sellers. It’s especially well-known for its low prices – a major draw for entrepreneurs and online shoppers alike.
So, AliExpress is a legitimate place to buy consumer goods? Yes, but you should still decide whether sourcing from there is the best choice for your business. This depends on what you want to source, your budget, delivery timelines, quality expectations, and so on.
In this guide, we’re covering what businesses need to know about sourcing goods from Chinese suppliers via AliExpress.
We’ll also explore how WorldFirst can help you reduce costs and risks when working with international suppliers. With its World Account, businesses can make and receive international payments, convert currencies and manage expenses, all from one platform.
In this guide:
- Is AliExpress actually legitimate?
- What AliExpress is (and what it isn’t)
- The risks businesses face when sourcing from AliExpress
- Top Chinese wholesale marketplaces to source from
- Why choose WorldFirst for Chinese supplier payments?
Open a World Account for free and easily pay global suppliers in their preferred currencies.
Is AliExpress actually legitimate?
Yes, AliExpress is legitimate. The platform is owned by Alibaba Group, a publicly traded company with listings on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Alibaba’s initial public offering of US$25 billion was ranked as the world’s biggest at the time in 2014.
As a B2C marketplace, AliExpress operates similarly to Amazon or eBay, connecting buyers with thousands of third-party reputable sellers worldwide. The platform itself is secure and trustworthy, but the sellers on it are independent. That means that while most Aliexpress sellers are perfectly legitimate, there’s always a chance of running into one that’s unreliable or misleading – just like on Amazon, eBay or other marketplaces.
This is why shoppers are encouraged to check product reviews and assess a seller’s history before making a purchase. Look for a high volume of positive reviews rather than a handful of five-star reviews. A tiny number of overly perfect reviews can be a red flag indicating fake or biased reviews.
It also helps to double-check product descriptions for details such as materials, dimensions, included accessories and shipping times. Whenever possible, use payment methods that offer buyer protection programs, such as PayPal or credit cards, to reduce the risk of losing money to a fraudulent seller.
These steps usually help everyday consumers avoid scams and counterfeit products. Keep in mind, though, that what’s “good enough” for a casual purchase doesn’t always meet the bar for businesses that need consistent product quality, dependable fulfillment or professional-grade sourcing.
What AliExpress is (and what it isn't)
AliExpress is a B2C online marketplace designed for individual consumers. Most sellers on the platform are small-to-medium Chinese manufacturers or distributors that sell consumer quantities at the retail markup price. When you use AliExpress for online shopping, it’s similar to browsing a massive digital retail store rather than a wholesale warehouse.
AliExpress prioritises ease of use and buyer protection over the bulk pricing, supplier verification and business-grade customer service you’d get from platforms designed for commercial buyers.
Shipping times typically range from 15 to 45 days because most products ship directly from China without local distribution centres. That’s fine for consumers ordering a phone case, but it can be problematic if you’re trying to maintain steady inventory levels or speed up delivery times.
To sum it up, whilst AliExpress can work for testing products or small-scale operations, it’s not built for businesses that need reliable sourcing partnerships, competitive wholesale pricing or professional supplier relationships.
3 alternative top Chinese wholesale marketplaces to source from
If your business relies on consistent quality, verified suppliers and secure payments, look beyond AliExpress’s consumer-focused marketplace.
Below are three alternatives that offer stronger supplier verification, better pricing structures and integrated payment options that reduce risk and costs.
1. AliExpress Business: Designed for B2B
AliExpress Business is an invitation-only platform designed specifically for SMEs and e-commerce sellers. Suppliers on AliExpress Business are verified with business-ready documentation and tax certifications. The platform also offers volume discounts and RFQ tools for custom orders that the regular AliExpress doesn’t provide.
Perhaps most importantly, AliExpress Business provides dedicated customer support and sourcing assistance for business needs. No more competing with casual buyers for supplier attention or dealing with consumer-focused support teams.
Pro tip: WorldFirst customers get fast-track access to AliExpress Business via our exclusive sign-up link. This means you can bypass the normal application delays and start sourcing professional-grade products immediately rather than waiting weeks for approval.
Read more: AliExpress Business: A smarter way to source products
2. Alibaba: The parent company
As we mentioned, Alibaba is the parent company behind AliExpress. However, Alibaba caters more to professional buyers and importers than individual consumers. Think of it as the wholesale counterpart to AliExpress’s retail focus.
The platform connects businesses directly with manufacturers and wholesalers, offering access to bulk pricing, RFQs and trade assurance services. You can negotiate MOQs, customise products and source directly from factories for better control over quality and margins.
Alibaba also has supplier verification levels. These labels represent third-party verification of business credentials and manufacturing capabilities, helping buyers reduce sourcing risk.
Read more: How to pay Alibaba suppliers safely (while avoiding unnecessary costs)
3. 1688.com: China's leading wholesale platform
1688.com offers direct access to over 10 million verified suppliers and manufacturers. The pricing advantage is substantial, with wholesale prices often up to 40% lower than other international marketplaces.
On 1688, you’ll find lower MOQs and bulk pricing tiers designed specifically for business needs rather than individual consumers. The platform also includes factory verification and supplier quality ratings specifically for B2B buyers, giving you better visibility into who you’re working with before placing orders.
1688 is primarily a domestic platform, so international buyers usually need a sourcing agent, a Chinese bank account or a local partner to handle payments and the extra paperwork that goes with it.
But there is a way to simplify the process: WorldFirst offers exclusive payment integration with 1688.com. With World Pay, you can pay suppliers instantly with your World Account balance rather than needing a Chinese bank account or help from local agents.
Find out more: A better way to pay 1688 suppliers
Why choose WorldFirst for Chinese supplier payments?
Maintaining strong relationships with your Chinese wholesalers means paying them quickly and keeping your supply chain moving smoothly. But between managing multiple local accounts, dealing with slow international transfers and paying foreign transaction fees, cross-border payments can get complex fast.
WorldFirst’s multi-currency business account makes payments easy. Our World Account lets you make and receive international payments, convert currencies and manage expenses – all from one platform.
With us, you can tackle payment risks and make Chinese sourcing smoother, safer and more cost-effective. Here’s how.
Pay like a local on top Chinese sourcing platforms
Paying Chinese suppliers traditionally requires a local bank account or a sourcing agent, adding complexity, time and risk to your sourcing process.
With a World Account, you skip all of that. A multi-currency account lets you hold, manage and pay in multiple currencies, including CNH, without opening a Chinese bank account or using a third-party payment intermediary. You can pay suppliers in their preferred currency directly, instantly and securely.
And if you source through 1688.com, things get even easier. WorldFirst is the official payment provider for 1688, which means you get a seamless end-to-end payment experience right inside the platform. You link your World Account to your 1688 account, browse and shop on 1688.com as usual and then choose “World Pay” at checkout.
Read more: How to source wholesale using 1688.com outside China
Speed up your supply chain with faster payments
Slow cross-border transfers delay shipments, strain supplier relationships and reduce your negotiating leverage. Traditional SWIFT transfers can take up to five days, leaving your suppliers waiting and your inventory delayed.
WorldFirst offers domestic payment networks in Mainland China and Hong Kong for same-day payments. Transfers to other WorldFirst accounts are instant, and because we’re already used by 150,000+ Chinese suppliers, it’s easy to find partners that can receive payments immediately.
You can also send payments in 100+ currencies to 200+ countries, with most funds arriving within hours rather than days. That speed helps suppliers ship sooner, strengthens relationships and gives you a head start on securing inventory before competitors.
Read more: The best way to pay Chinese suppliers: A guide for cross-border businesses
Cut FX costs with a multi-currency account
Standard international purchases often involve multiple conversions and FX fees – typically 2% to 4% of the transaction value – when buying in a non-local currency or from a foreign merchant. These costs quickly add up, especially on larger orders.
With our multi-currency World Account, you can hold funds in multiple currencies and choose when to convert to your supplier’s currency. This lets you take advantage of better exchange rates instead of being forced into conversions at the time of payment.
Our competitive exchange rates are based on the mid-market rate, with fees capped at 0.50% for major currencies. Once converted, you can pay your supplier directly in their preferred currency, eliminating additional FX fees and ensuring full control over your costs.
Read more: Foreign exchange risk management: How to make international business more affordable
From AliExpress Business to 1688: Use WorldFirst to pay your global suppliers
Sourcing products from China offers tremendous opportunities for growing businesses, but the payment process can be complex. Having the right payment solution makes a huge difference.
WorldFirst’s multi-currency World Account removes barriers to paying Chinese suppliers, giving you the tools to source smarter, pay faster and build stronger supplier relationships.
With local currency payment options and integrations with China’s biggest wholesale platforms, WorldFirst turns international sourcing into a competitive advantage, not a logistical headache. Open your World Account for free today to get started.
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