Before anything else, understand this: when AliExpress says “payment failed,” it almost always means no charge was processed. Your money didn’t leave your account. The transaction was declined before completion.
What to check immediately:
- Check your bank/card account RIGHT NOW Look at your recent transactions. If you don’t see a charge from AliExpress, nothing went through. Your money is still there.
- Check your email If payment actually processed, you’d have confirmation emails from both AliExpress and your payment provider. No email = no successful charge.
- Check AliExpress “My Orders” Log into your account and look at your orders. If there’s no new order listed, payment definitely didn’t go through.
The rare exception:
Occasionally, a charge might show as “pending” in your account even though AliExpress says payment failed. This is a temporary authorization hold. It will disappear within 1-7 days automatically. This isn’t a real charge – it’s just your bank reserving the funds briefly. It will drop off on its own.
Bottom line: If payment failed, you almost certainly haven’t lost any money. Now let’s fix the problem so you can complete your purchase.
TL;DR – Quick Fixes to Try First
Try these solutions in order before reading the full guide:
- Check your bank balance – Make sure you have enough funds/credit available
- Call your bank – Ask if they blocked an international transaction (most common cause)
- Verify your address – Make sure billing address matches your card exactly
- Try a different card – If you have one available
- Wait 30 minutes and try again – Many failures are temporary glitches
- Use PayPal instead – Often works when direct card payment doesn’t
If none of these work, read the detailed troubleshooting below.
Why AliExpress Payments Fail (Most Common Reasons)
Payment failures happen for specific reasons. Here’s what’s probably causing yours:
Reason 1: Your Bank Blocked the Transaction (35-40% of failures)
Why this happens:
Banks see AliExpress as an international merchant. Many banks automatically block or flag international transactions as potential fraud, especially if:
- This is your first AliExpress purchase
- You rarely make international purchases
- The amount is larger than your typical spending
- Multiple cards on the same order were declined
Your bank declined the charge before it reached AliExpress. From AliExpress’s perspective, your payment just failed without explanation.
How to identify this is your problem:
Your bank might have sent you:
- Text message alert about blocked transaction
- Email notification about suspected fraud
- App notification flagging unusual activity
If you received any of these, this is definitely your issue.
How to fix it:
Step 1: Call your bank immediately Use the number on the back of your card (don’t use numbers from unsolicited messages).
Step 2: Tell them exactly this: “I’m trying to make a legitimate purchase from AliExpress, an international merchant. Can you authorize this transaction?”
Step 3: Ask them to:
- Remove the block on AliExpress
- Authorize international online transactions
- Pre-approve the specific transaction amount
Step 4: Wait 10-15 minutes Give your bank’s systems time to update.
Step 5: Try payment again Go back to AliExpress and attempt checkout again.
Prevention for future: Ask your bank to permanently allow international online transactions, or at least whitelist AliExpress as an approved merchant.
Reason 2: Insufficient Funds or Credit Limit (20-25% of failures)
Why this happens:
The total charge (including shipping, taxes, fees) exceeds your available balance or credit limit.
Common scenarios:
- You calculated based on item price but forgot shipping costs
- Other pending charges reduced your available credit
- Currency conversion made the charge higher than expected
- You’re near your credit limit
- Your account balance is lower than you thought
How to fix it:
Step 1: Check your exact available balance/credit Log into your bank account or call your bank for real-time balance.
Step 2: Check the EXACT AliExpress charge amount Go back to checkout and note the complete total including:
- Item price
- Shipping cost
- Any taxes or fees
- Currency conversion (if applicable)
Step 3: Compare Do you have enough? Include a buffer (add $10-20 more than the total, as final charges can vary slightly).
Step 4: If insufficient:
Option A: Use a different card with more available credit/funds
Option B: Remove some items from your cart to lower the total
Option C: Add money to your account or pay down your credit card
Option D: Split the order into multiple smaller purchases
Step 5: Try again once you’ve resolved the shortage
Reason 3: Address Mismatch (15-20% of failures)
Why this happens:
Your card’s billing address doesn’t match what you entered on AliExpress. Payment processors use Address Verification System (AVS) to prevent fraud. Even small differences cause failures.
Common mismatches:
- Street abbreviations (St. vs. Street, Ave. vs. Avenue)
- Apartment/unit numbers formatted differently
- ZIP code or postal code errors
- Old address on file with your bank (you moved but didn’t update)
- Typos when entering address
How to fix it:
Step 1: Find your card’s exact billing address
Option A: Look at a recent credit card statement (billing address is printed on it)
Option B: Call your bank and ask them to read your exact billing address on file
Option C: Check your bank’s online banking portal
Step 2: Go to AliExpress account settings Update your billing/payment address to match EXACTLY:
- Same abbreviations
- Same spacing
- Same punctuation
- Same ZIP/postal code format
- Same apartment/unit number format
Step 3: Try payment again
Pro tip: Copy-paste from your bank statement if possible, don’t retype it. Even small differences matter.
Reason 4: Card Expired or Invalid (10-15% of failures)
Why this happens:
Self-explanatory but surprisingly common. The card you’re trying to use:
- Has expired
- Was replaced (you’re using the old number)
- Was reported lost/stolen and deactivated
- Is a virtual/temporary card that expired
How to fix it:
Step 1: Check the expiration date on your card Look at the front of your card. Is it past the expiration month/year?
Step 2: Check if your card was recently replaced Did your bank send you a new card recently? The old one is deactivated even if it hasn’t reached expiration date.
Step 3: Verify the card number is correct Double-check you entered all 16 digits correctly.
Step 4: Check CVV code The 3-digit security code on the back (or 4-digit on front for Amex) must be correct.
Step 5: Use current, valid card Enter your new card information or use a different valid card.
Reason 5: Technical Issues (10-15% of failures)
Why this happens:
Sometimes it’s just technical glitches:
- AliExpress payment gateway experiencing problems
- Your payment processor is down temporarily
- Browser or app issues
- Network connection problems during checkout
- Session timeout (you took too long at checkout)
How to identify technical issues:
Signs this might be a technical problem:
- Error message is vague (“Payment failed, please try again”)
- You see error codes or system messages
- Payment worked fine on AliExpress before
- Multiple different cards all fail
- Other people are reporting payment issues (check social media)
How to fix it:
Try these technical solutions:
Solution 1: Wait and retry Wait 30 minutes to 1 hour, then try again. Many technical issues resolve themselves.
Solution 2: Clear cache and cookies
- Desktop: Browser settings → Clear browsing data → Cookies and cache
- Mobile app: Settings → Apps → AliExpress → Clear cache
Solution 3: Try a different browser If using Safari, try Chrome. If using Chrome, try Firefox. Sometimes browser-specific issues occur.
Solution 4: Try the app if you were on desktop (or vice versa) Switch between mobile app and desktop website.
Solution 5: Use a different device Try your computer if you were on phone, or phone if you were on computer.
Solution 6: Check your internet connection Ensure you have stable internet. Don’t use public WiFi for payments (security issue and often unreliable).
Solution 7: Disable VPN if you’re using one VPNs can interfere with payment processing.
Reason 6: Payment Method Not Accepted (5-10% of failures)
Why this happens:
The specific payment method you’re trying to use isn’t accepted for this transaction:
- Seller doesn’t accept your payment type
- Your country doesn’t support this payment method on AliExpress
- Card network (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) not accepted by this seller
- Payment method has restrictions for your order value
How to fix it:
Step 1: Check accepted payment methods Look on the product page for “Payment” section showing what the seller accepts.
Step 2: Try a different payment method
If credit card isn’t working:
- Try PayPal
- Try debit card
- Try digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Try local payment methods if available
If PayPal isn’t working:
- Try credit card
- Try different card network (if you tried Visa, try Mastercard)
Step 3: Choose a different seller If your preferred payment method isn’t accepted, find another seller for the same item who accepts your payment type.
Reason 7: 3D Secure Authentication Failed (5% of failures)
Why this happens:
Many cards now require 3D Secure verification (a password, SMS code, or app authentication during payment). If this step fails or times out, payment fails.
Signs this is your issue:
- You were redirected to your bank’s verification page
- You were asked for a password or code
- The verification page timed out or errored
How to fix it:
If you didn’t receive the verification code:
- Check SMS messages
- Check your authenticator app
- Ensure your phone number is correct with your bank
If verification timed out:
- Try again immediately (don’t wait)
- Complete verification faster
- Ensure good internet connection
If you don’t know your 3D Secure password:
- Contact your bank to reset it
- Use a different card that doesn’t require 3D Secure
- Set up 3D Secure with your bank before trying again
Step-by-Step: What to Do Right Now
Here’s your action plan based on how many times payment has failed:
First failure:
- Check bank balance – do you have enough?
- Wait 5 minutes
- Try again with the same card
- If it fails again, move to “Second failure”
Second failure:
- Call your bank – ask if they blocked the transaction
- If yes: authorize it and try again
- If no: check if your billing address matches your card exactly
- Fix address if needed, try again
- If it fails again, move to “Third failure”
Third failure:
- Try a completely different payment method:
- If you used credit card → try PayPal
- If you used PayPal → try credit card
- If you used Visa → try Mastercard
- If it fails again, move to “Fourth failure”
Fourth failure:
- Technical issue is likely. Try:
- Different browser
- Different device
- AliExpress app (if you were on website)
- Website (if you were on app)
- Clear cache and cookies
- Wait 30 minutes minimum
- Try again
Fifth failure and beyond:
At this point, something bigger is wrong. Options:
Option A: Contact your bank directly There may be a hold or restriction on your account you’re not aware of.
Option B: Contact AliExpress customer service Explain the situation. They can sometimes see technical issues on their end.
Option C: Try a different seller The specific seller might have payment issues. Find the same item from a different seller.
Option D: Wait 24 hours Sometimes system issues need time to resolve. Try again tomorrow.
Option E: Use a friend’s payment method As a last resort, have someone else pay and reimburse them.
Error Messages and What They Mean
“Payment authorization failed” Your bank declined the charge. Call your bank to authorize.
“Payment processing error” Technical glitch. Wait 15 minutes and try again. Clear cache if second attempt fails.
“Invalid card details” You entered card number, expiration, or CVV incorrectly. Double-check and re-enter.
“Card declined” Your bank rejected the charge. Could be fraud protection, insufficient funds, or card issue. Contact your bank.
“Transaction timeout” You took too long at checkout or internet connection dropped. Start checkout again.
“3D Secure authentication failed” You didn’t complete the security verification. Try again and complete verification promptly.
“Payment method not available” This payment type isn’t accepted for this transaction. Choose a different payment method.
“Unable to process payment” Generic error. Usually temporary. Wait 30 minutes and retry.
Special Cases
If payment failed BUT you see a pending charge:
This is an authorization hold, not an actual charge. Here’s what happens:
When you attempt payment, your bank authorizes (holds) the funds temporarily. If payment fails on AliExpress’s end, the authorization sits there even though no actual transaction completed.
What to do:
- Don’t panic – this is not a real charge
- Don’t try to dispute it yet
- Wait 1-7 days (timeframe varies by bank)
- The hold will drop off automatically
- Your money will be fully available again
- Then retry your AliExpress purchase
If it doesn’t drop off after 7 days: Contact your bank to manually release the authorization hold.
If payment failed but AliExpress shows an order:
Very rare, but occasionally the order processes on AliExpress‘s side while payment fails on your bank’s side.
What to do:
- Check your email – did you get confirmation from AliExpress?
- Check “My Orders” – is the order status “Awaiting Payment” or “Paid”?
- If “Awaiting Payment”: Complete payment through the order page
- If “Paid” but your bank wasn’t charged: Contact AliExpress customer service immediately with order number and payment proof
If using PayPal and it failed:
PayPal has its own set of issues:
Common PayPal failure reasons:
- PayPal account limitations or restrictions
- Card/bank account linked to PayPal is invalid
- Insufficient funds in PayPal or linked accounts
- PayPal flagged transaction as suspicious
- Session timeout
How to fix PayPal failures:
- Log into PayPal directly (not through AliExpress)
- Check for any alerts, limitations, or messages
- Verify your linked payment methods are valid
- Ensure sufficient funds
- Try using a different payment source within PayPal
- If PayPal account has issues, use direct card payment on AliExpress instead
Prevention: Stop Future Payment Failures
After you resolve the current issue, take these preventive steps:
Bank setup:
- Call your bank and pre-authorize international online transactions
- Add AliExpress as a trusted merchant
- Set up transaction alerts so you know immediately if something’s blocked
- Update your billing address if you moved
Payment method management:
- Keep cards current (replace before expiration)
- Maintain sufficient available balance/credit
- Set up 3D Secure authentication properly
- Save payment methods on AliExpress for faster checkout (reduces timeout risk)
Technical prevention:
- Use updated browsers or latest version of AliExpress app
- Don’t use public WiFi for purchases
- Complete checkout quickly (don’t leave it sitting while you do other things)
- Disable VPNs during checkout
Account hygiene:
- Verify your AliExpress billing address is correct
- Link multiple payment methods as backup options
- Keep email current for confirmation receipts
When to Give Up and Try Something Different
If you’ve tried everything above and payment still fails after multiple attempts:
Alternative approaches:
1. Try a different marketplace Sometimes the same products are available on Amazon, eBay, or other sites where your payment might work better.
2. Use AliExpress alternatives Banggood, Gearbest, DHgate, and other Chinese marketplaces might have the same items and different payment processing.
3. Have someone else purchase for you Friend or family member with different bank/card might have success. You reimburse them.
4. Wait and try later If there’s no rush, wait a week and try again. Sometimes systemic issues resolve over time.
5. Contact AliExpress support Explain you’ve tried everything. They might have seller-side insights or alternative payment arrangements.
Takeaway
Payment failures on AliExpress are frustrating but usually fixable. The most common cause is your bank blocking international transactions – a simple phone call usually resolves it. Your money is safe when payment fails (it never left your account).
Work through the troubleshooting steps systematically: verify funds, call your bank, check address match, try different payment methods, and address technical issues. One of these solutions will work for the vast majority of failures.
If nothing works after exhausting all options, the issue might be beyond your control (AliExpress technical problems, seller payment settings, systemic issues). In that case, trying a different seller or waiting 24 hours usually helps.
Don’t give up after the first failure. Most payment issues resolve on the second or third attempt once you identify and fix the underlying cause.