You ordered from AliExpress, the tracking stopped updating weeks ago, and now you're wondering whether Buyer Protection will get your money back.
Usually yes — but the process has real timing requirements that catch a lot of people off guard.
What AliExpress Buyer Protection Covers
AliExpress Buyer Protection covers two scenarios:
- Item not received — your package never arrived by the end of the Buyer Protection period
- Item not as described — you received something significantly different from what was listed
For lost packages, the relevant protection is "item not received."
How the Buyer Protection Timer Works
Every AliExpress order has a Buyer Protection countdown. This is the window during which you can open a dispute.
The timer runs for 60–90 days from the order date. The exact duration depends on which shipping method was selected — slower economy shipping typically gets a longer window.
The hard rule: Once the timer expires, you lose your right to open a dispute on AliExpress, even if the package never came.
Check your remaining Buyer Protection time in "My Orders" on AliExpress. If you're within two weeks of expiry and the package still hasn't arrived, open a dispute now — don't wait.
When to Open a Dispute
Don't file a dispute the day after your expected delivery date — AliExpress will likely close it as premature.
A reasonable timeline:
- Days 1–20 past expected delivery: Contact the seller. Ask them to investigate with the carrier, resend, or refund.
- Day 20–30 past expected delivery: If the seller isn't cooperating and tracking has no updates, open a dispute.
- At least 14 days before Buyer Protection expires: Hard deadline. If you haven't resolved it by this point, open the dispute regardless of where things stand.
How to Open a Dispute
- Go to My Orders → find the order → click Open Dispute
- Select "I didn't receive my order"
- Choose your resolution: full refund or resend
- Upload evidence: screenshots of tracking showing no movement, and any communication with the seller
- Submit
AliExpress gives the seller 5 days to respond. If they don't respond or the case stalls, it escalates to AliExpress mediation.
What Happens in AliExpress Mediation
AliExpress reviews evidence from both sides and makes a decision — usually within 3–14 days.
Things that help your case:
- Tracking showing no movement for 30+ days
- Evidence you messaged the seller and they didn't cooperate
- Buyer Protection period still active when you filed
Things that hurt your case:
- Opening the dispute days before expiry (looks like you waited on purpose)
- Tracking showing the package was delivered (even if you genuinely didn't receive it)
- No record of contacting the seller first
If AliExpress Rules Against You
AliExpress closing a dispute in the seller's favor isn't the end. If you paid by credit card, you still have a credit card chargeback available.
File an "item not received" dispute with your card issuer. Credit card chargebacks have a separate timeline (typically 120 days from the expected delivery date) and operate under your card network's rules, not AliExpress's. Your bank investigates independently.
This two-layer approach — AliExpress dispute first, credit card chargeback as backup — is the strongest combination available for AliExpress purchases.
How to Protect Yourself From the Start
- Track from the day it ships — if tracking stops updating, you'll know early
- Screenshot the listing before buying, including the seller's delivery estimate
- Note your Buyer Protection expiry date and set a reminder two weeks before it
- Pay by credit card, not debit — gives you the second layer of protection
- Choose tracked shipping — economy options without tracking have no Buyer Protection for non-delivery
Bottom Line
AliExpress Buyer Protection covers lost packages — but only if you open the dispute before the timer runs out. Check your timer, contact the seller early if something's wrong, and don't let the window close.
If AliExpress mediation doesn't resolve it, your credit card chargeback is the next move.