How to buy from AliExpress in Nigeria

AliExpress is a well-known online marketplace where various independent vendors, small companies, and manufacturers may offer their goods to individual consumers all over the globe. It was first developed for Chinese consumers, but it gradually grew to become a worldwide marketplace that draws millions of users from all over the globe.

It’s noteworthy that Native Chinese customers in the mainland are required to shop on a different marketplace and are not permitted to make purchases from AliExpress. 

AliExpress is thus a marketplace for international customers to buy goods from Chinese vendors. The allure of AliExpress is that it offers a variety of products at cheap prices. This has made it a popular place for Nigerians to shop from. Shopping on AliExpress Express from Nigeria can be a stressful process but it doesn’t have to be. If you know exactly the steps to follow, you will buying goods on AliExpress is an easy process. 

I have outlined a step-by-step process on how to buy goods from AliExpress in Nigeria. Read on to find out:

1. Download the App or Visit the Official Website

To buy products on Aliexpress, you will first need to visit the official website on your web browser. To make things easier, you can download the AliExpress app, which is available for download on both the Play Store and App Store for Android and iPhone users respectively.

2. Create an Account 

New users will have to create an account to make purchases on AliExpress. Once in the app or website, choose “Settings” and then “Register/Join for Free.” You can also log in with a single click using your Facebook, Google, Twitter, or Apple account.

To complete the registration process, enter your email address and password. If you register by mail, you will need to look for a letter with an activation link in your mailbox.

3. Enter Your Shipping Address

Since it will greatly ease future transactions, providing a shipping or delivery address is the first and most important step after creating an account.

Customers of AliExpress are required to submit not only the exact mailing address but also their LGA’s postal code. 

4. Browse Through Products 

There are thousands of products on Aliexpress. There is a great variety also, ranging from women’s clothing to household appliances. No matter where your interest lies, they’ll be something that would catch your eye on AliExpress. 

The site arranges its products in an organized format making it easier for customers to find products. Discounted items and other items judged by the site to be of interest to the buyer are displayed clearly on the front page. By tapping the three vertical lines at the top left-hand side, different categories of items are displayed. You can browse products under each category by tapping on the category.

5. Select Products to Buy

From the hundreds of your favourite areas, choose the item you want.

If there are available substitutes, provide the colour, size, and other details.

Select the products you’re interested in buying by clicking on “buy now” under the product description or selecting “add to cart” to save them for later.

If the delivery address or pickup location hasn’t been entered before, input it now. 

6. Pay for Products 

It’s now incredibly difficult to buy from AliExpress in Nigeria as banks all around the nation have stopped accepting foreign transactions using debit cards denominated in naira. 

The nation’s financial institutions made this decision in reaction to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s strict capital outflow regulations and a continuous lack of foreign currency.

Small businesses, especially those who rely on AliExpress to source items for their stores, have seen a fall in profit margins and an increase in the cost of goods due to the suspension of international transactions.

It is thus fastest and simplest to utilize a virtual dollar card offered by fintech programs to pay for things on AliExpress from Nigeria. Nigerians may now deal in foreign currencies outside of the traditional banking system thanks to these virtual dollar cards. Virtual bank cards operate at black market rates instead of official CBN rates, however, they may be easily funded via bank transfer. This is noteworthy since, by default, AliExpress uses CBN rates to reflect naira prices instead of the black market rate that dollar cards use. It is important to keep in mind that changing the display currency will not change the payment currency; for Nigerian buyers, the payment currency will still be the naira.

After choosing a product to buy, input your payment method. Select “Add a new card.” Enter the card number, expiration date, CVV/CVC code, first and last name, and any pertinent information. Select “Save and Confirm”. Then press the “Pay” button.

You must input a one-time code that is supplied to you to authorize withdrawals from the card. The smartphone will instantly indicate that the money has been received and that shipment will soon start if the code is entered correctly. You may see and monitor the product’s current status in the “My Orders” section.

7. Wait For Delivery 

The time it takes for your package to arrive will depend on the type of delivery you choose. The fastest expedited shipping typically takes 3-7 business days to arrive, however, it is the most expensive. Standard shipping takes about a month to arrive, while Super Economy options take about 2 months. 

Conclusion

All things considered, AliExpress may be a terrific place to locate discounts on a huge range of goods. This guide will help you navigate the AliExpress marketplace and make buying goods in Nigeria much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AliExpress trustworthy?

Without a doubt, AliExpress is reputable and secure. Because AliExpress is an online marketplace, it is no different from any other market in that there are dishonest merchants who constantly try to con consumers out of their money by providing inexpensive goods. However, you may still trust AliExpress as a legitimate and secure website.

Why Is AliExpress’s Price So Low?

You can notice right away that many AliExpress items have very cheap pricing if you explore particular products. Why is everything the way it is? There are two options, each of which is available on the Internet.

To start with, you may purchase goods straight from the Chinese producer, saving you money. Compared to other nations, China has much cheaper manufacturing costs. This might also be due to inadequate enforcement of intellectual property laws.

Another reason a thing could be very inexpensive is if it is fake or counterfeit. China is a known breeding ground for fake goods, and AliExpress is no exception. Together, AliExpress has some very nice offers, but not all of the goods are legitimate.

AliExpress Agent: What is it?

As a go-between for you and the vendors on the AliExpress marketplace, an agent works for AliExpress. There are some disadvantages to take into account, but they may also assist you in navigating the purchasing process and perhaps save you time and money.