We have processed hundreds of orders through AliExpress to EU countries including Portugal. Most packages from China arrive within 20-30 days via CTT Correios. Orders from EU warehouses (Spain, Poland, Germany) arrive in 3-7 days. Since July 2021, VAT is collected at checkout through the IOSS system, which eliminates surprise charges at delivery for most orders under €150.
This guide covers everything Portuguese buyers need to know, from registration to handling customs issues.
Table of Contents
Register and get your welcome coupon
AliExpress requires an account to make purchases. Registration takes about two minutes.
How to register:
- Go to AliExpress.com
- Click “Register” in the top right corner
- Enter your email address (recommended for order notifications) or sign in with Google/Facebook
- Verify your email
- Add your Portuguese shipping address
Welcome coupon: New users receive a discount coupon (typically €2-5 off) that appears on the homepage after registration. Claim it before your first purchase.
Address tip: Use your home or work address. CTT cannot deliver to P.O. boxes for international packages.
Set Portugal as your shipping country
Before searching for products, configure your location settings. This ensures you only see items that can ship to Portugal and displays prices in euros.
Desktop:
- Look at the top bar of the page
- Click the flag/country icon (may show “Ship to”)
- Select “Portugal” as country
- Select “EUR (Euro)” as currency
- Select “English” or “Português” as language
Mobile app:
- Tap “Account” (bottom right)
- Go to Settings > Country/Region
- Select Portugal
- Change currency to EUR
Once set, all search results will filter for products available to Portugal with prices in euros.
Find products and read descriptions
AliExpress has millions of products. Finding the right one requires attention to details beyond the main photo.
Search tips:
| Action | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Use broad keywords first | “Bluetooth headphones” returns more results than a specific model |
| Apply filters | Narrow by price, free shipping, 4+ star rating |
| Check “Ship from” option | Select Spain or EU for faster delivery |
| Read full description | Contains sizing, materials, package contents |
| View all photos | Product images often show specs and dimensions |
What to check in the description:
- Exact measurements (not just S/M/L sizes)
- Materials and composition
- What is included in the package (chargers, cables, accessories)
- Voltage compatibility (Portugal uses 230V, 50Hz)
If anything is unclear, message the seller before purchasing. Response time is usually 24-48 hours.
Check seller reputation
Not all sellers are equal. A few minutes of research can prevent problems.
What to look for:
| Indicator | Good sign | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Store rating | 95%+ positive | Below 90% |
| Store age | 2+ years | Less than 6 months |
| Product orders | 100+ orders | Very few or none |
| Reviews with photos | Multiple real photos | Only stock images in reviews |
| Seller response rate | 90%+ | Below 80% |
Reading reviews:
- Sort by “Most recent” to see current quality
- Filter by your country to see Portugal-specific delivery times
- Look for reviews with buyer photos showing actual product
- Check if negative reviews were resolved by seller
Avoid sellers with consistent complaints about fake tracking numbers, wrong items, or poor communication.
Payment methods in Portugal
AliExpress offers several secure payment options for Portuguese buyers.
| Method | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa/Mastercard/Maestro | Yes | Most common; enable international transactions |
| American Express | Yes | Works but less common |
| Virtual cards (MB Way) | Yes | Create through Portuguese banks; recommended for security |
| PayPal | Yes (Portugal) | Added protection; small fee may apply |
| Google Pay | Yes | Quick checkout on mobile |
| Bank transfer | Yes | Not recommended; slow, complicates refunds |
| Klarna | Some countries | Pay after delivery option |
All payments are protected by escrow: AliExpress holds your payment and releases it to the seller only after you confirm receipt of the order (or after buyer protection expires).
How to use MB Way virtual cards for safer payments
MB Way is a Portuguese mobile payment system that allows you to create virtual cards for online purchases. This adds security because your real card details are never shared with AliExpress.
Step-by-step:
- Open your MB Way app (linked to your Portuguese bank account)
- Select “Virtual Card” or “Cartão Virtual”
- Choose the amount to load (exact purchase amount + a few extra euros for currency fluctuation)
- Set the card validity (single use or time-limited)
- The app generates a virtual Visa/Mastercard number, expiry date, and CVV
- Enter these details on AliExpress checkout
- The virtual card is charged; your real card stays protected
Advantages:
- If the card details are compromised, only the virtual card is affected
- You control exactly how much can be charged
- Single-use cards cannot be reused for unauthorized purchases
Most major Portuguese banks (Millennium BCP, CGD, Novo Banco, Santander, BPI) support MB Way virtual cards through their mobile apps.
Shipping methods and delivery times
Shipping to Portugal varies significantly based on the method and origin.
| Method | Origin | Typical time | Tracking | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AliExpress Standard Shipping | China | 20-35 days | Yes | Free or low |
| Cainiao Super Economy | China | 30-45 days | Limited | Free |
| China Post | China | 25-40 days | Basic | Free |
| Seller’s Shipping Method | China | 30-60 days | Sometimes | Free |
| EU Warehouse (Spain/Poland) | EU | 3-7 days | Yes | Often free |
| DHL/FedEx/UPS | China | 5-15 days | Full | €15-50+ |
Recommendation: For most purchases, AliExpress Standard Shipping offers the best balance of speed and cost. For time-sensitive items, look for EU warehouse sellers.
EU warehouses for faster delivery (3-7 days)
AliExpress operates warehouses across Europe through its Cainiao logistics network. Portugal is in Zone 1 (Spain/Portugal hub), meaning many products can arrive in just 3-7 days.
How to find EU warehouse products:
- Search for your product
- Look for the “Ship from” filter on the left sidebar
- Select “Spain” or another EU country
- Products will now show EU shipping options
Alternatively, look for badges like “Delivery in 3-7 Days” or “Ships from Europe” on product listings.
Countries with AliExpress warehouses serving Portugal:
| Country | Shipping time to Portugal |
|---|---|
| Spain | 2-5 days |
| France | 3-6 days |
| Poland | 4-7 days |
| Germany | 4-7 days |
| Belgium | 4-7 days |
Benefits of EU warehouse orders:
- Faster delivery (days instead of weeks)
- No customs clearance required (already in EU single market)
- No VAT charged at delivery (already paid)
- Easier returns (ship within EU)
The main downside: smaller product selection compared to shipping from China.
Customs and VAT rules for Portugal
Since July 2021, EU customs rules changed significantly. Here is how it works now:
VAT (IVA):
- Portugal’s VAT rate is 23% for most products
- AliExpress collects VAT at checkout through the IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) system
- For orders under €150, you pay VAT once at checkout and nothing at delivery
- The price you see should include VAT (look for “VAT included” at checkout)
Customs duties:
| Order value | VAT | Customs duty |
|---|---|---|
| Under €150 | Paid at checkout (IOSS) | None |
| €150 or more | May be charged at delivery | Yes (rate varies by product, typically 0-17%) |
How customs duty is calculated for orders over €150:
- Customs assesses the product value (CIF: cost + insurance + freight)
- Applies the duty rate based on product category (check EU TARIC database)
- Calculates VAT on (product value + duty)
- CTT or courier contacts you with the amount owed
CTT handling fee: When CTT Correios handles customs clearance, they charge a processing fee (typically €4-15) in addition to any taxes owed.
What to do if you are charged VAT twice
Sometimes packages are charged VAT at delivery even though you already paid it at checkout through IOSS. This is a known issue that happens when:
- The IOSS number is missing from the shipping label
- The customs system fails to recognize the IOSS payment
- The carrier processes the package before checking IOSS status
How to get a refund:
- Keep all documents: Invoice from CTT/carrier, proof of VAT payment, your AliExpress order showing VAT was included
- Contact AliExpress customer service: Go to “Help Center” > “Contact Us” and explain you were charged VAT twice
- Provide evidence: Upload your CTT invoice (showing VAT charged), AliExpress checkout receipt (showing VAT paid), and tracking number
- Request refund: AliExpress should refund the duplicate VAT charge
Timeline: Refunds for double VAT typically take 7-15 business days.
Prevention: When checking out, confirm the price shows “VAT included.” If it does not, VAT will likely be charged at delivery.
Tracking your order
Once shipped, you can track your package through multiple channels.
Where to track:
| Platform | How to access |
|---|---|
| AliExpress app/website | My Orders > Track |
| CTT Correios | ctt.pt with tracking number |
| 17Track.net | Aggregates multiple carriers |
| Parcels app | Mobile app for tracking |
| Cainiao | cainiao.com for Cainiao shipments |
Common tracking statuses explained:
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| “Accepted by carrier” | Seller handed package to shipping company |
| “Departed from facility” | Left sorting center in China |
| “In transit to destination” | On the way (ship/plane/train) |
| “Arrived at destination country” | Reached Portugal |
| “Customs clearance” | Being processed by customs (normal) |
| “Handed over to CTT” | With Portuguese postal service |
| “Out for delivery” | Will arrive today |
Tracking not updating: It is normal for tracking to show no updates for 7-14 days during international transit. This does not mean the package is lost.
How to open a dispute
If your order does not arrive, arrives damaged, or is not as described, you can open a dispute for a refund.
Buyer protection period: 60 days from shipment (can be extended if seller agrees)
When to open a dispute:
| Issue | When to act |
|---|---|
| Order not arrived | After estimated delivery date but before protection expires |
| Wrong item received | Within 15 days of delivery |
| Item damaged | Within 15 days of delivery |
| Not as described | Within 15 days of delivery |
How to open a dispute:
- Go to “My Orders” in AliExpress
- Find the order and click “Open Dispute”
- Select the reason (not received / not as described)
- Choose refund amount (full or partial)
- Write a clear explanation
- Upload evidence (photos, videos, screenshots)
- Submit
Tips for winning disputes:
- Take photos/video immediately when opening the package
- Include measurements if size is wrong
- Compare to listing photos if quality differs
- Keep all packaging until dispute is resolved
- Respond promptly to seller/AliExpress messages
Dispute timeline:
- Seller has 5-15 days to respond
- If no agreement, AliExpress mediates
- Decision usually within 30 days
- Refunds processed within 3-20 days depending on payment method
Final thoughts
AliExpress shopping from Portugal is straightforward once you understand the basics. For most orders, VAT is handled automatically at checkout, and packages arrive within 3-4 weeks. For faster delivery, filter for EU warehouse sellers (particularly Spain) to receive orders in under a week without customs concerns.
Using MB Way virtual cards adds a layer of payment security without any extra cost. And if anything goes wrong, the dispute system provides reliable buyer protection as long as you act within the 60-day window.
FAQ
1. Is it safe to shop on AliExpress from Portugal?
Yes. AliExpress uses an escrow system where your payment is only released to the seller after you confirm receipt. All transactions use SSL encryption. For added security, use MB Way virtual cards so your real card details are never shared.
2. How can I avoid customs fees when shopping from Portugal?
Order from EU warehouses (Spain, Poland, Germany) to skip customs entirely since the goods are already within the EU single market. For orders shipped from China, keep the total value under €150 to avoid customs duties (VAT still applies but is collected at checkout).
3. How long does shipping from AliExpress take to Portugal?
From China: 20-35 days with AliExpress Standard Shipping. From EU warehouses (Spain, Poland): 3-7 days. Express shipping (DHL/FedEx): 5-15 days but significantly more expensive.
4. What payment methods work for AliExpress in Portugal?
Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Amex), MB Way virtual cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and bank transfer. We recommend cards or MB Way virtual cards for the best combination of security and easy refunds.
5. What should I do if my package is stuck in customs?
CTT or the courier will contact you with instructions if payment is required. For orders under €150 with IOSS VAT already paid, customs clearance should be automatic. If asked to pay VAT again, pay it to receive the package, then request a refund from AliExpress with proof of double payment.
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