AliExpress Payment Problems: Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Before panicking, understand this: payment issues on AliExpress are common and usually resolve quickly. The most frequent causes are:

1. Your bank blocking the transaction (fixable with one phone call)
2. Temporary technical glitches (fixable by waiting and retrying)
3. Simple data entry errors (fixable by checking your details)

Less common but more serious issues exist, but we’ll address those too.

Your money is almost always safe when payment problems occur. Failed payments typically mean no charge went through – your money stays in your account.

Let’s identify what’s happening and fix it.

TL;DR – Quick Diagnosis

Check these in order:

1. Is there an error message? → Note the exact wording, use troubleshooting section below
2. Did money leave your account? → Check bank/card balance immediately
3. Is this your first AliExpress purchase? → Probably bank fraud protection, call your bank
4. Have you used this card on AliExpress before successfully? → Probably temporary glitch, try again in 30 minutes
5. Did you just try multiple times rapidly? → Your bank may have flagged it, wait 1 hour and call bank

Most common solution: Call your bank and authorize international transactions.

The Most Common Payment Problems (By Frequency)

Problem 1: Bank Blocking International Transactions (40% of issues)

What’s happening:

Your bank sees AliExpress as:

• International merchant
• E-commerce transaction
• Potentially risky
• Unusual spending pattern (if first time)

Banks automatically block or decline many international online transactions as fraud prevention.

How to identify this is your problem:

Clear signs:

• Text/email from bank about blocked transaction
• Bank app notification flagging “unusual activity”
• This is your first AliExpress purchase
• You rarely make international purchases
• You tried multiple different cards and all failed

Symptoms:

• Payment fails at final step
• Error says “Payment declined” or “Transaction not authorized”
• You know you have sufficient funds
• Card details are correct

Why it happens:

• Banks protect against fraud
• International transactions trigger security systems
• AliExpress is flagged as higher-risk merchant category
• First-time use of card on AliExpress is suspicious to banks

How to fix it (step-by-step):

Step 1: Check for bank notifications Look at your text messages, email, and banking app for fraud alerts.

Step 2: Call your bank immediately Use the number on the back of your card (not from unsolicited messages).

Step 3: Speak to fraud/security department Ask to be transferred if needed.

Step 4: Tell them exactly this: “I’m trying to make a legitimate purchase from AliExpress, an international online merchant. Can you authorize this transaction and allow future purchases from them?”

Step 5: Provide transaction details if asked:

• Merchant name (AliExpress)
• Amount you’re trying to spend
• Date and time you attempted purchase

Step 6: Ask them to:

• Remove the block
• Whitelist AliExpress as approved merchant
• Enable international online transactions permanently
• Note your account that these transactions are authorized

Step 7: Wait 15-30 minutes Give their systems time to update.

Step 8: Try payment again on AliExpress Should work now.

Prevention for future:

• Keep international transactions enabled
• Notify bank before large international purchases
• Use same card regularly so bank recognizes the pattern

Success rate: 90%+ of bank-blocked transactions resolve with this approach.

Problem 2: Insufficient Funds or Credit Limit (20% of issues)

What’s happening:

The total charge exceeds your available balance or credit limit.

Why this causes confusion:

People calculate based on item price but forget:

• Shipping costs
• Taxes or import duties
• Currency conversion fluctuations
• Other pending charges reducing available credit
• Holds from previous failed attempts

How to identify this is your problem:

Signs:

• Error mentions “insufficient funds” or “declined”
• You’re close to your credit limit
• You made other large purchases recently
• Currency conversion makes total higher than expected

How to fix it:

Step 1: Check exact available balance/credit Log into banking app or call bank for real-time information.

Step 2: Check EXACT AliExpress total charge Go back to checkout and note complete total:

• Item price
• Shipping cost
• Any taxes shown
• Total in your currency (if converted)

Step 3: Add 10% buffer Currency conversion and final charges can vary slightly. Your available funds should be 10% more than the shown total.

Step 4: Compare Do you actually have enough?

If insufficient:

Option A: Use different card with more available credit

Option B: Remove some items from cart to lower total

Option C: Add money to account

• Transfer from another account
• Pay down credit card
• Deposit funds

Option D: Split order into multiple smaller purchases If order has multiple items, buy separately over time.

Step 5: Wait for previous authorization holds to drop If you attempted payment multiple times, temporary holds might be reducing available balance. Wait 1-24 hours for these to release.

Step 6: Try again once you’ve resolved shortage

Problem 3: Address Verification Failure (15% of issues)

What’s happening:

Your billing address doesn’t match what your card issuer has on file. Payment processors use Address Verification System (AVS) to prevent fraud.

Common mismatches:

• Abbreviations (Street vs. St., Avenue vs. Ave.)
• Apartment/unit numbers formatted differently or missing
• Old address (you moved but didn’t update with bank)
• ZIP/postal code errors
• Typos when entering
• Country format differences

How to identify this is your problem:

Signs:

• Error mentions “address” or “verification”
• You recently moved
• You’re not sure what address is on file with your bank
• Card works elsewhere but not on AliExpress

How to fix it:

Step 1: Get your exact billing address from your bank

Option A: Check recent credit card statement (billing address printed on it)

Option B: Log into online banking and view profile/card details

Option C: Call bank and ask them to read exact billing address on file

Step 2: Note exact format:

• Exact street name and abbreviations
• Apartment/unit number and format
• City spelling
• State/province abbreviation or full name
• ZIP/postal code
• Country

Step 3: In AliExpress, update billing address to match EXACTLY

Where to update:

• Account → Settings → Addresses
• Or during checkout, add new address

Enter it identically:

• Same abbreviations
• Same spacing
• Same punctuation
• Same number formats

Step 4: Try payment again

Pro tip: If possible, copy-paste address from bank statement instead of retyping. Even small differences matter to AVS systems.

Problem 4: Technical Glitches and Server Issues (10-15% of issues)

What’s happening:

Technology isn’t perfect. Temporary problems occur:

• AliExpress payment gateway experiencing issues
• Your payment processor temporarily down
• Internet connection problems during checkout
• Browser/app bugs
• Server timeout
• Session expired

How to identify this is your problem:

Signs:

• Error is vague (“Something went wrong, please try again”)
• You see error codes or system messages
• Payment worked fine on AliExpress previously
• Multiple different cards all fail
• Other people reporting similar issues (check social media/forums)
• You were away from checkout screen for a long time before clicking pay

How to fix it:

Solution 1: Wait and retry

• Wait 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Many technical issues resolve themselves
• Try again

Solution 2: Clear cache and cookies

On mobile app:

• Phone Settings → Apps → AliExpress → Clear Cache (don’t clear data)
• Restart app

On desktop:

• Browser Settings → Clear browsing data → Select cookies and cached files
• Restart browser

Solution 3: Try different browser

• If using Safari → try Chrome
• If using Chrome → try Firefox
• Sometimes browser-specific issues occur

Solution 4: Switch between app and website

• Having problems on app? → Try desktop website
• Having problems on website? → Try mobile app

Solution 5: Use different device

• Try phone if you were on computer
• Try computer if you were on phone

Solution 6: Check internet connection

• Ensure stable connection
• Don’t use public WiFi for payments (security issue + reliability)
• Try mobile data instead of WiFi (or vice versa)

Solution 7: Disable VPN

• VPNs can interfere with payment processing
• Temporarily disable and try again

Solution 8: Update app

• Check if AliExpress app has available update
• Old versions sometimes have payment bugs

Problem 5: Expired or Invalid Card (10% of issues)

What’s happening:

The card you’re trying to use:

• Has expired (past expiration date)
• Was replaced by your bank (old number deactivated)
• Was reported lost/stolen
• Is a temporary/virtual card that expired
• Was closed/canceled

How to identify this is your problem:

Check:

• Look at expiration date on physical card (MM/YY format)
• Has your bank sent you a replacement card recently?
• Did you report card lost/stolen?
• Is this a virtual/temporary card number?

How to fix it:

If expired:

• Use current, valid card
• Bank should have sent replacement before expiration

If replaced:

• Find your new card (mailed by bank)
• Enter new card number and details

If lost/stolen:

• Card is deactivated for security
• Request replacement from bank
• Use different card in meantime

If virtual card expired:

• Generate new virtual card number
• Or use physical card instead

Prevention:

• Monitor card expiration dates
• Update payment methods before cards expire
• Keep new cards when bank sends them

Problem 6: Payment Method Not Accepted (5-10% of issues)

What’s happening:

The specific payment method you’re trying isn’t accepted for this transaction:

• Seller doesn’t accept your payment type
• Your country doesn’t support this method on AliExpress
• Card network (Amex, Discover) not widely accepted
• Payment method has restrictions for order value
• Local payment method not available for international sellers

How to identify this is your problem:

Signs:

• Payment option appears grayed out
• Error says “payment method not supported”
• Your preferred method doesn’t show at checkout
• Only certain payment options appear

How to fix it:

Step 1: Check what seller accepts Look on product page for “Payment” section showing accepted methods.

Step 2: Try different payment method

If credit card isn’t working:

• Try PayPal
• Try debit card
• Try digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• Try local payment method if available

If PayPal isn’t working:

• Try credit card
• Try different card network (Visa instead of Mastercard)

If Amex isn’t working: Amex has lower acceptance than Visa/Mastercard internationally. Use Visa or Mastercard instead.

Step 3: Choose different seller If your preferred payment method isn’t accepted, find another seller for the same item who accepts it.

Step 4: Check order value Some methods have minimum/maximum limits. If order is very large, try splitting into smaller purchases.

Problem 7: 3D Secure Verification Failed (5% of issues)

What’s happening:

Many cards require 3D Secure authentication (password, SMS code, or app approval). If this verification step fails, times out, or is ignored, payment fails.

3D Secure names:

• Visa: “Verified by Visa”
• Mastercard: “Mastercard SecureCode”
• Amex: “SafeKey”

How to identify this is your problem:

Signs:

• Redirected to bank verification page during checkout
• Asked for password or code you don’t know
• Verification page timed out or showed error
• You closed the verification popup thinking it was spam
• You didn’t receive SMS code

How to fix it:

Issue: Didn’t receive verification code

Solutions:

• Check SMS messages (might be delayed)
• Check spam folder for email codes
• Verify phone number with bank is correct
• Try again (triggers new code)

Issue: Don’t know 3D Secure password

Solutions:

• Contact bank to reset it
• Set up 3D Secure through bank’s online banking
• Use different card that doesn’t require it

Issue: Verification timed out

Solutions:

• Try again immediately (don’t wait)
• Complete verification faster (have phone ready for codes)
• Ensure good internet connection (slow connection causes timeouts)

Issue: Verification popup blocked

Solutions:

• Allow popups for AliExpress in browser settings
• Turn off popup blockers temporarily
• Use app instead of web browser

Prevention:

• Set up 3D Secure password with your bank before shopping
• Keep phone number current with bank
• Save password in secure location

What Error Messages Mean

“Payment declined” → Your bank rejected the charge. Call bank to authorize. Could also be insufficient funds.

“Transaction not authorized” → Same as above. Bank or card issuer declined. Call them.

“Invalid card details” → You entered wrong information. Double-check card number, expiration, CVV.

“Payment processing failed” → Technical issue. Wait 15-30 minutes and try again.

“Transaction timeout” → Took too long at checkout or connection dropped. Start over.

“Unable to process payment” → Generic error. Could be anything. Try different payment method or wait and retry.

“Address verification failed” → Billing address doesn’t match card. Get exact address from bank and update.

“Card declined” → Bank rejected. Could be fraud protection, insufficient funds, or card problem. Call bank.

“Insufficient funds” → Not enough money in account or available credit. Add funds or use different card.

“Payment method not available” → This method isn’t accepted for this transaction. Choose different method.

“Security verification failed” → 3D Secure authentication didn’t complete. Try again and complete verification promptly.

When Payment Fails But Shows Pending Charge

Common scenario: Payment failed on AliExpress, but you see a pending charge on your card.

What’s happening:

When you attempt payment:

1. Your bank authorizes (holds) the funds temporarily
2. If payment fails on AliExpress’s end, the authorization sits there
3. No actual charge processed, just a hold
4. Shows as “pending” in your account

This is NOT a real charge – it’s an authorization hold.

What to do:

Step 1: Don’t panic This isn’t stolen money. It’s a temporary hold.

Step 2: Don’t try to dispute it yet It will drop off automatically.

Step 3: Wait 1-7 days Timeline varies by bank:

• Some banks: 24 hours
• Most banks: 3-5 days
• Maximum: 7 days

Step 4: Hold releases automatically Your full balance returns. No action needed.

Step 5: Then retry your AliExpress purchase Once the hold drops, funds are available again.

If hold doesn’t drop after 7 days: Contact your bank to manually release the authorization hold.

Important: Don’t place new orders until old authorization holds drop. Multiple holds can quickly deplete available funds.

Multiple Failed Attempts: What Not to Do

Bad approach: “Payment failed. Let me try again immediately. Failed again. Try again. Try different card. Try again…”

Why this makes it worse:

Problem 1: Multiple authorization holds Each attempt creates temporary hold, depleting available funds.

Problem 2: Bank fraud triggers Multiple rapid attempts flag your account for suspicious activity.

Problem 3: Account locks Your bank may freeze your card after too many declines.

Problem 4: IP blocking AliExpress might temporarily block your IP for suspected fraud.

Better approach:

After first failure:

1. Read error message carefully
2. Check obvious issues (sufficient funds, correct details)
3. Try ONE more time
4. If fails again, STOP

Then: 5. Call your bank 6. Investigate root cause 7. Fix the underlying problem 8. Wait 30 minutes minimum 9. Try once more

Maximum attempts before investigating: 3 attempts, then stop and troubleshoot properly.

Payment Problems by Payment Method

Credit Card Problems

Most common:

• Bank blocking international transactions
• Insufficient credit available
• Address mismatch
• 3D Secure failure

How to troubleshoot:

• Call credit card company first
• Verify address matches exactly
• Check available credit
• Enable 3D Secure

Debit Card Problems

Most common:

• Insufficient account balance
• Bank blocking online international transactions
• Daily spending limit exceeded

How to troubleshoot:

• Verify account balance
• Call bank to enable international purchases
• Check daily transaction limits
• Ensure enough buffer for currency conversion

Important: Debit cards are riskier than credit cards on AliExpress. If possible, use credit cards for better protection.

PayPal Problems

Most common:

• PayPal account limitations
• Card/bank linked to PayPal is invalid
• Insufficient funds in PayPal or linked accounts
• PayPal flagged transaction

How to troubleshoot:

1. Log into PayPal directly (not through AliExpress)
2. Check for alerts, limitations, or messages at top of page
3. Verify linked payment methods are valid
4. Ensure sufficient funds
5. Try different funding source in PayPal
6. If PayPal account has issues, use card directly on AliExpress instead

Digital Wallet Problems (Apple Pay, Google Pay)

Most common:

• Phone not authenticated (biometric failed)
• Card linked to wallet is invalid
• Location restrictions
• App needs update

How to troubleshoot:

• Verify biometric authentication works (fingerprint/Face ID)
• Check card linked to wallet is active
• Update wallet app
• Try using card directly instead

Country-Specific Payment Issues

United States

Common problems:

• ZIP code mismatch
• Bank fraud blocks on first international purchase
• 3D Secure verification

Solutions:

• Ensure ZIP code matches card exactly (5-digit format)
• Call bank to authorize
• Set up 3D Secure

United Kingdom

Common problems:

• Postcode format issues
• Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements
• Bank fraud blocks

Solutions:

• Enter full postcode exactly as on card
• Complete SCA verification through banking app
• Call bank for authorization

Europe

Common problems:

• 3D Secure mandatory (not optional)
• IBAN/account number confusion
• VAT calculation errors

Solutions:

• Ensure 3D Secure set up with bank
• Use card details, not bank account numbers
• Accept VAT charges as part of total

Nigeria / Africa

Common problems:

• Limited payment method availability
• Currency conversion issues
• Bank restrictions on international transactions
• Naira card limitations

Solutions:

• Use dollar cards if available
• Enable international transactions with bank
• Try multiple payment methods
• Consider PayPal if local cards don’t work

India

Common problems:

• RBI regulations on international transactions
• Two-factor authentication required
• Daily spending limits

Solutions:

• Complete OTP verification promptly
• Check international transaction limits with bank
• Enable international payments in banking app

Prevention: Stop Problems Before They Happen

Before shopping on AliExpress:

1. Call your bank proactively Tell them: “I’ll be making international online purchases from AliExpress. Please enable this and whitelist the merchant.”

2. Verify billing address is current Especially if you’ve moved recently. Update with bank before shopping.

3. Set up 3D Secure Complete registration through your bank’s online banking before attempting purchases.

4. Check card expiration dates Don’t use cards expiring within the next month.

5. Ensure sufficient funds + buffer Have 15-20% more available than your planned purchase amount.

6. Test with small purchase first If first time using card on AliExpress, try a $5-10 purchase to test the system.

7. Use stable internet Don’t checkout on spotty public WiFi.

8. Have backup payment method ready Link multiple cards or have PayPal set up as alternative.

During checkout:

1. Double-check all details Card number, expiration, CVV, billing address – verify everything before submitting.

2. Complete checkout promptly Don’t leave checkout page sitting for 30+ minutes (sessions timeout).

3. Watch for verification prompts Be ready to check phone for SMS codes or approve in banking app.

4. Don’t refresh or go back Once you click “Pay,” wait for processing. Don’t refresh page.

5. Screenshot confirmation Save confirmation page and order number.

When Standard Solutions Don’t Work

You’ve tried everything above and payment still fails:

Option 1: Contact your bank again Sometimes first-level support doesn’t fully resolve the issue. Ask to speak with supervisor or technical support.

Option 2: Try completely different payment method If cards aren’t working, try PayPal. If PayPal isn’t working, try cards.

Option 3: Wait 24-48 hours Occasionally, account flags or technical issues need time to clear. Try again in a day or two.

Option 4: Use different seller The specific seller might have payment processing issues. Find same product from different seller.

Option 5: Try on different device/network Use friend’s phone, different WiFi network, or mobile data instead of home internet.

Option 6: Contact AliExpress customer service App → Account → Help Center → Contact Customer Service Explain the situation. They can sometimes see technical issues on their end.

Option 7: Have someone else purchase for you As last resort, have friend/family member with working payment method buy for you, then reimburse them.

Option 8: Use alternative marketplaces If AliExpress won’t work, try Banggood, DHgate, or other Chinese marketplaces with same products.

Is This Normal or Should I Worry?

Normal, don’t worry:

• First payment fails, second succeeds
• Bank fraud alert on first purchase, works after authorization
• Pending charge that disappears in 2-3 days
• Technical error that resolves with retry
• One payment method fails, different method works

Slightly concerning, but fixable:

• Multiple failures across different payment methods
• Card works everywhere else but not AliExpress
• Consistent address verification failures
• Repeated timeout errors

Concerning, investigate thoroughly:

• Charges appearing but orders not creating
• Money leaving account with no confirmation
• AliExpress showing payment received but bank showing different amount
• Unable to contact bank or AliExpress support

Red flags (potential fraud):

• Unsolicited emails/texts asking for payment details
• Redirects to non-AliExpress domains during payment
• Requests to pay outside AliExpress platform
• Seller asking for direct bank transfer

If you see red flags: Stop immediately. Contact AliExpress official support. Report to your bank. Don’t provide any information.

Takeaway

Most AliExpress payment problems stem from banks blocking international transactions (40% of cases), insufficient funds (20%), or address mismatches (15%). The remaining 25% are technical glitches, expired cards, or verification issues.

Your action plan:

1. Identify which category your problem falls into using the symptoms above
2. Apply the specific fix for that problem type
3. If first solution doesn’t work, try the next most common cause
4. Call your bank – this solves the majority of issues
5. Have backup payment method ready
6. Don’t attempt payment more than 3 times without stopping to troubleshoot

Payment problems are usually temporary and fixable. Your money is safe when payments fail – failed transactions typically don’t charge your account. The escrow system protects your money once payment succeeds.

If nothing works after exhausting all solutions, the issue might be beyond your control (AliExpress system problems, incompatible payment infrastructure). In that case, try a different marketplace or wait 24-48 hours before trying again.

Stay calm, work through the troubleshooting systematically, and most payment problems resolve within 30 minutes to a few hours.