How To Pay Alibaba Suppliers in China : TOP 10 Best Payment Methods to Know ⋆ Wiiodropshipping

Are you having doubts about Alibaba payment methods? Are you afraid of the risks associated with an online business, such as being scammed in Alibaba payment?

Alibaba is an international B2B and B2C site for e-commerce and suppliers from China. It serves as a bridge between you as a buyer and supplier to make a business deal. You need to be aware of the process and make sure not to deal with fake suppliers.

There are various risks you can face with any transaction when you pay with Alibaba. This article will guide you through the safest Alibaba payment options if you want to be secure in your payment transactions.

We will thoroughly discuss the following topics:

Best Alibaba Payment Methods
Which Payment Methods Work for You
How Do You Pay in Alibaba
Safest Way to Pay in Alibaba
Trade Assurance of Alibaba
How to Avoid Payment Fraud
Frequently Asked Questions

Chapter 1: Alibaba Payment Methods

Before you click the Pay Now button, if you are wondering whether to use PayPal, Alibaba Escrow Service, or other payment methods, please learn the difference between the Alibaba payment methods. It may vary on the number of orders and if you are qualified to use other payment services.

1. How Do You Pay on Alibaba?

There are various ways to pay your suppliers in Alibaba. You can pay through the Alibaba payment system or negotiate with your supplier and pay outside the platform. With this regard, please be minded of the risks on payment security.

2. Alibaba Payment Options

If you are an importer for large volumes, here are the common Alibaba payment methods:

Bank wire transfer or TT
Alibaba Secure Payment (Escrow)
PayPal
Letter of Credit

These methods are more secure and provides peace of mind

If you are importer of small volumes then Western Union is feasible but is tagged as high-risk Alibaba payment methods. .

Local Chinese payment transfers through WeChat and Alipay are also risky since they are not considered as an international transaction and will be seemed illegal payment transfer.

3. How Does Alibaba Payment Work?

Various methods of payment can be made in Alibaba. This article will guide how bank transfer, Alibaba Secure Payment, Alibaba Trade Assurance, Payment Links, Pay Later, etc., works. You must know which types of Alibaba payment methods are applicable for you.

Chapter 2: Alibaba Payment No1: (Telegraphic Transfer)

A Telegraphic Transfer or TT is an electronic way to transfer funds. It is commonly used for any overseas wire transactions. The money is transferred electronically to other banks. The term “telegraphic transfer” has its origin in the way that banks used to make international money transfers.

1. How Does the Bank Transfer Process Work?

The most important thing to remember when you use the TT way of payment is to complete the supplier’s information, such as the complete address and the beneficiary (name of the supplier).

Then the bank account details – bank address, swift code, and country. The bank transfer process in the US may take from 2-4 working days to complete.

If something goes wrong with your TT transfer, call the bank and present the correct bank account details or wait for the money to be returned to your bank account. Usually, it takes three weeks before the complete transfer. Calling the bank may be costly but can speed up the process.

2. Pros and Cons in Paying through T/T

Here are the pros and cons of paying through Telegraphic transfer:

Pros:

Low bank transaction fee (between $30-$50 per transfer) and fixed bank transfer fees for large orders
Fast and convenient payment
Common way of international money transfers
Favorable exchange rate for Chinese suppliers
Can negotiate for payment terms

Cons:

- Delays due to holidays, time zones, weekends
- Cannot easily get your money back
- Minimum of three working days to process
- Issues in returning of items once the payment is transferred in the total amount
- It could be risky for first-time buyers

Errors in filling out the documents can cause delay and withheld money by the Chinese bank

It is best practice to negotiate the payment terms to pay only a small proportion of the money and pay the remaining balance upon inspection or delivery.

Chapter 3: Alibaba Payment No2:(Escrow)

Alibaba offers this Alibaba Secure Payment service (formerly Escrow), whose primary benefit is to hold buyers’ funds until they receive and approve the orders they purchased. So, in case of any disputes, Alibaba can act as a mediating platform to help the buyer get a refund.

The downside of Alibaba Secure Payment is its limitation to pre-approved suppliers on Alibaba only.

Meaning, if you searched your suppliers in a trade show or Global Sources, they wouldn’t be qualified unless they are pre-approved Alibaba suppliers. Also, Alibaba suppliers are charged for 5% service fee and will credit you. It would also mean additional cost and risk for the suppliers.

1. How Does Escrow Work

For buyers, the payment is released to the suppliers only after you confirm the receipt of your order without any complaints or disputes.

For suppliers, Secure Payment verifies all the payment details in every transaction. The suppliers are required to ship the products after the confirmation of payment receipt.

Therefore, Alibaba’s secure payment only allows the buyer to deposit an unlocked payment to the supplier once the buyer confirms the products.

Here are the simple steps on how Escrow payment works:

The customer needs to pay the deposit.
The supplier ships the goods to the customer.
The products import and undergo clearing process in customs.
The buyer receives the products and either rejects or approves.

Once the buyer rejects the products, the payment is withheld. It depends on the circumstances whether the buyer’s dispute will be granted. Alibaba would require a third-party inspection that would cost around $200-300 to validate the dispute.

To avoid the hassle of refund and return products, read the product description carefully upon placing your orders. A product claim can be filed if the supplier did not ship the right products based on the order and listed specifications.

2. Pros of Using Escrow

Reduce the risk of Alibaba scams
Easy to use and integrates well with the system
Offers flexible payment terms
Free for buyers

3. Cons of Using Escrow

- - Limited pre-approved Alibaba suppliers

Full payment, which ties up to your cash flow
The added cost to your products of 5% for the service

Chapter 4: Alibaba Payment No3:(Alibaba Trade Insurance)

Alibaba protects its buyers with Trade Insurance, built-in order protection you can trust. It will save you from the event that order quantity, product quality, or shipment date would vary based on what you agreed to with the supplier.

1. How Does Alibaba Trade Assurance Work

-Here is a quick tip on how Alibaba Trade Assurance works:

Look for only Trade Assurance suppliers. There is a Trade Assurance symbol you can look at the supplier’s page.
Pay online using Alibaba.com secure payment. Trade Assurance will not apply if you pay the suppliers offline or privately.

You can file a dispute immediately if there are any issues with your orders. Alibaba can mediate by investigating your dispute.
If the dispute is valid, Alibaba will reimburse the amount you paid for your orders.

-If you pay for a Trade Assurance order via Online Transfer, here are the complete steps you need to follow:

In the Order List page, go to Orders- All Orders
Click Pay the Balance or Send Initial Payment

-Then, from the Online Transfer, choose the bank account, payment channel, and country.

Then click the Access bank account
Select the issuing bank if you choose to pay via Trustly
Enter the login ID and one-time code. Then “confirm payment” to complete the payment process.

Suppose the supplier failed to ship on time or the product you receive varies from what you have agreed upon. In that case, you can apply for a refund within 30 days of the delivery. Keep in mind that you file a dispute, communicate with the supplier using only the secure Alibaba messaging platform.

Since Alibaba charges transaction fees on specific payment methods, it will not charge you any additional Trade Assurance fees. However, using PayPal or other payment methods directly to the supplier, you are not covered by the Trade Assurance.

2. Pros and Cons of Alibaba Trade Assurance

-Pros

Ensure safe transactions
Safe from any fraud
Insurance protection for damaged products or sub-standard
Protects safe transit
Timely delivery
100% money-back guarantee

-Cons

Not all suppliers will accept Trade Assurance
Supplier increase the product prices to participate in Alibaba Trade Assurance Policy

3. Payment Methods and Fees of Trade Assurance

Payment Method	Currency/Limit	Transaction Fee	Processing Time
Visa and Master Credit/Debit Card	Multi-currency(up to $12,000)	2.95% of payment amount (3.5% for Amex)	1-2 hours
Only Bank Payment (US Account)	USD only (up to $50,000)	$15-30 ( depends om the payment amount)	4-5 business days
Only Bank Payment (Europe Account)	EUR only (up to $10,000)	$15-30 ( depends om the payment amount)	9-10 business days
Online Transfer	Local Currency Only (up to $300,000)	$15-30 ( depends om the payment amount)	1-3 business days
Wire Transfer (TT Domestic)	Local Currency Only (up to $300,000)	Around 1 unit of local currency	1-2 business days
Wire Transfer (TT International)	Multi-currency	Around $40 (depends on your bank)	3-7 business days
Boleto	USD Only (up to $3,000 per month)	1.30% of payment amoun	3-4 business days
Western Union	USD Only (up to $2,500)	$4.90-45.00	1Business Day
Pay Later	USD Only (up to $150,000)	FREE	1-3 business days

While Alibaba Trade Assurance gives the buyers safety, it is also worth taking notes on the downside of Alibaba Trade Assurance on the suppliers that may affect the products’ pricing.
The Table above explains everything you need to know about payment methods and Alibaba trade assurance fees.

Chapter 5: Alibaba Payment No4: (Payment Links)

For small purchases, Alibaba’s payment gateway is widely used for paying product samples. Suppliers may create an invoice directly from their Alibaba account, and then generate a payment link. The link will expire after 72 hours.

1. Benefits of Using Alibaba Payment Links

Alibaba payment links ensure that your payment to the supplier will not go to an employee or subcontractor. It goes directly to an account in Alibaba.com or to the supplier’s bank account.

The transaction fees are smaller than those banks charging for wire transfers. You can get the funds immediately, which reduces some delays.

2. Alibaba.com Payment Terms

Pay with Alibaba Payment Terms is another type of financing option. You place orders even in a small down payment like 30%. You can pay the remaining balance and defer the payment up to 60 days from the day you receive the payment.

Even if there is an Alibaba platform for the Payment Terms, you still need to communicate with the seller about this.

Here are the quick tips when you negotiate for the Alibaba Payment Option Terms:

Establish your business and qualifications so that sellers can offer deferred payments. The credibility of the company history can build trust between you and the suppliers.
Make sure to keep your message clear and concise. State the complete details of the products you want to purchase.
State in your letter that you would like to use the payment terms and put them into the documentation.

You need to convince the seller how payment terms would benefit both parties. You can offer some exchange deal and use the cash to pay debts, increase margins, or choose products with higher costs.
Be firm while negotiating in payment terms and telling other potential suppliers who can pay you payment terms. There is a vast competition in Alibaba that they may consider your request.
Make sure also to guarantee an order after the agreed payment terms.

To apply for the Alibaba.com Payment Terms, your account must be in good standing with a valid business domain email address. It must be in the US. Once you get approved, you will receive an invoice for the order and be given up to 60 days to pay the remaining balance.

You will receive a credit line from $5,000- $ 2 million. Your approval will not impact your credit score. There are neither transaction fees nor hidden charges when you use Alibaba.com Payment Terms. You have to pay the balance within 60-day payment terms.

To pay your Payment Terms invoices, you can pay via Check, ACH, wire transfer, or direct debit. Just follow the instructions detailed on every invoice you will receive. It shows on the Alibaba.com Payment terms dashboard.

If you ask for refunds, it will be issued by a third-party financial service provider. It will be directed to your Alibaba.com Payment Terms account. If you have any balance owed to you, request a refund based on your account’s information.

Who can Apply to Use Alibaba.com Payment Terms

Currently, Alibaba.com Payment Terms is an invitation-only program. It is only available to US-based registered business which has a TAX ID.

If your business is a sole proprietorship, you can apply if you have EIN. If you are not invited, the “Apply” button is in the color gray. If you are interested in participating in the program, you may email them at Payment terms.

Chapter 6: Alibaba Payment No5: (Later Method)

You can apply in minutes for Alibaba Pay Later service and get up to $150,000 of the credit limit. You can purchase from Alibaba.com and repay over six months.

Then, you would know instantly if your business is qualified for financing. Then, once qualified, you can use your credit for Trade Assurance purchases on Alibaba.com

1. Applying for Trade Finance

Visit paylater.alibaba.com or click the “Apply Now” at the checkout process. Enter your business information. You will also provide your identity verification.

2. Qualification for Applying to Trade Finance

Even if you have a small business and have an existing account in Alibaba.com, you can apply for Trade Finance (Kabbage Funding). You will not be eligible if you have a current credit outside the Pay Later program of Alibaba.

To qualify, your business must be existing for one year and a U.S based company. You must be a U.S citizen or holding a legal permanent residence card. Your credit limit depends on the business performance. You can get up to a $150,000 credit line.

You would know if you are qualified in few minutes after you submit your application.

The monthly fee starts at 1.25% monthly for the remaining balance. There are no prepayment penalties, no order transaction, or maintenance fee.

Chapter 7: Alibaba Payment No6: (Online Transfer)

For European importers, Alibaba launched online transfer as a payment gateway to allow the money transfer in domestic currencies.

1. What Countries are Qualified for Online Transfer?

Here are the countries supported by this service:

Belgium
Estonia
Germany
Finland
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Poland
Spain
Switzerland

2. Transaction Fees

Transaction fees are the following:

$15 for $1-$1,000
$20 for $1,000-$10,000
$25 for more than $10,000

Chapter 8: Alibaba Payment No7: (PayPal)

Alibaba does not officially support PayPal. But you can communicate with the supplier if you opt for this method of payment. Paying as “Goods and Services” via PayPal is under PayPal’s buyer protection which is also very safe for international buyers.

1. How Does PayPal Work

If your supplier agrees to accept payment via the PayPal platform, you can log in to your PayPal account and click the send and request link. Type the PayPal email address of your supplier.

Make sure to check your settings so that you could pay for an item or service and not sending to family or friends.

PayPal protects you and gives bio protection. PayPal will mediate for the money back in any case that your suppliers get away with your transaction. Make sure to enter the correct amount with the accurate conversion of the currency you are using.

2. Pros and Cons of PayPal

PayPal is widely used worldwide as it offers payment protection for buyers. However, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons of using the PayPal method in Alibaba.

Pros:

Payment protection for buyers
Fast and reliable
Free use for buyers
Offers flexible payment using bank or credit card

Cons:

Not widely accepted by Chinese suppliers
Suppliers add 4-5% on the total order value

For best practice using the PayPal method, ask your suppliers if they accept PayPal payment at the start of the negotiation.

Chapter 9: FAQs About Alibaba Payment

1. What forms of payment do Alibaba accept?

As discussed in this article, the payment forms that Alibaba accept are the following:

TT Upfront Bank Transfer
Secure Payment
Alibaba Payment Links
Alibaba Pay Later
Alibaba Trade Assurance
Alibaba Online Transfer
Credit/debit cards
PayPal

2. Is Alibaba liable for a refund for wrong items received?

If you use a secured payment in Alibaba like Alipay and Trade Assurance option, you can request a refund. However, as mentioned in this article, Alibaba will arrange a third-party inspection and ask for a processing fee. If you won the dispute, a complete refund would be transferred to you.

Please take note that in most cases, Alibaba may refund your money for two conditions, first, if the supplier failed to ship your orders on time. Second, when your orders are damaged or vary from the specified product page.

For your refund request, please provide the following information:

Clear and detailed description of your dispute
Photos showing the damaged products/items
Overview of the defective quantity of products

3. Can I pay using a Letter of Credit (L/C)?

You can use a Letter of Credit as a way of payment. For a small number of orders, this method is not recommended.

Using a payment method through a Letter of Credit can lower your risk as it ensures that you will receive the goods according to what is agreed upon on the documents stated in the LC.

It also builds trust with your supplier. In this way, you can ensure that your supplier will receive the payment for the order. This is assuming that all the necessary documents are presented.

4. Is it safe to pay through Western Union?

Alibaba also supports this payment option. However, the platform is not responsible if your payment is made directly to your supplier. The transaction does not happen in the Alibaba system.

Western Union Transaction fee details (Prices are for reference only)

Order Payment Amount	Transaction Fee
$0-$50	$4.99
$50-$100	$8.00
$100-$250	$10.00
$250-$500	$12.00
$500-$750	$15.00
$750-$1,000	$18.00
$1,000-$5,000	1.80% of payment amount

5. How to pay on Alibaba and avoid payment fraud?

It is easier said than done to advise about payment fraud. There are so many things to consider when transacting to legit suppliers. Although you pay in a secure platform that gives you buyer protection, it would be safe if you know how to deal with legit suppliers.

Transfer the money to bank accounts held by a beneficiary (company) that would match the company listed on Alibaba.com. Never transfer funds to bank accounts in different countries or held by individuals- even if the bank details are provided by a person operating the supplier’s account.

To avoid payment fraud, do not transact outside the Alibaba safe platform. If you make private conversations, Alibaba cannot guarantee the mediation process or refund.

6. What is the safest way to pay on Alibaba?

It is safe to pay on Alibaba if you know which mode of payment works to protect you as buyer when buying from Alibaba. Whether you opt to pay through Alibaba.com Secure Payment System or TT payment methods, or through Alibaba Payment links, always weigh the pros and cons.

7. Do I still get the benefits of Trade Assurance if I use Alibaba.com payment terms?

If you opt for an Alibaba Payment terms order, you will get all the benefits you can have from Trade Assurance. If the delivery time or the product quality will not meet the agreed standards, you can file for a dispute. Go to the Trade Assurance Management page for managing and tracking your orders.

The same thing applies to the necessary documents you need to present when you file the dispute. You can also check the status of the dispute on the Trade Assurance management page.

8. Why was my payment not received in my order after I paid?

Please take note of the payment processing timeline in each payment method:

credit/debit card takes 1-2 hours
online bank payment takes 4-5 business days
wire transfer takes 2-7 business days
Western Union takes 1 business day
Boleto takes 3-4 business days
Pay Later takes 1-3 working days
Online Transfer takes 1-3 working days

Conclusion

Alibaba.com is considered a safe platform to gather suppliers and buyers worldwide. We hope that this article gives clarity on different payment methods in Alibaba.com. Whichever payment methods you use, it is essential to be careful in the payment process.

We wish you nothing but success in your business. If you want to ensure that you get the right supplier and pay securely, you may hire the best sourcing agent to help you in product sourcing. EJET Sourcing is a one-stop service in any service you need for your import business.