AliExpress is cheap until customs. Here’s how to keep it cheap — and which codes are worth your time.
Shipping times
Standard shipping to the UAE takes 15–30 days. AliExpress Standard Shipping costs a few dirhams more and roughly halves that, with tracking that actually updates. For anything over AED 200, it’s worth it.
Customs
Orders under AED 1,000 usually clear without duty. Above that, expect 5% plus VAT. Splitting a large order into two shipments is legal, common, and often cheaper.
The codes
AliExpress runs two layers of discount: store-level coupons set by the seller, and platform-level codes set by AliExpress itself. They stack, and most shoppers only use one. The current AliExpress offers are here, and we verify them before they go live.
What to avoid
Sellers with fewer than 500 orders and no reviews. The price is tempting, the return process is not.
