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    How to Enable AliExpress Auto-Pay

    Step-by-step: upgrade your plan, enable Auto-place orders in space settings, link PayPal on AliExpress, and refresh the status to start auto-paying new orders.

    1. 1

      Upgrade to PRO or BUSINESS

      Auto-pay is only available on the PRO and BUSINESS plans. Open the Billing page from the dashboard sidebar and pick a plan that fits. The change is immediate — no need to wait for a billing cycle.

    2. 2

      Enable 'Auto-place orders' in space settings

      Open the space settings dropdown from the space switcher. Under the 'Suppliers' section, toggle 'Auto-place orders' on. This is the Build the Drop opt-in — without it, no auto-pay will be attempted even if AliExpress is ready.

    3. 3

      Link PayPal to your AliExpress account

      Log in to AliExpress, go to your account settings, and add PayPal as a payment method. This is a one-time setup on AliExpress's side — Build the Drop cannot do it for you. Once PayPal is linked and you have a valid auto-pay authorization on AliExpress, the supplier card status will switch to 'Auto-pay active'.

    4. 4

      Refresh the auto-pay status

      Go to Dashboard → Suppliers → AliExpress. The supplier card now shows an 'Auto-pay' section with a 'Refresh status' button. Click it — Build the Drop will ask AliExpress for the current auto-pay state and persist the result. If AliExpress confirms auto-pay is enabled, the badge turns green and new orders received in your store will be placed and paid automatically.

    5. 5

      What if auto-pay doesn't work?

      If orders are still not being paid, check the three conditions: (1) plan is PRO or BUSINESS, (2) 'Auto-place orders' is on in space settings, and (3) the supplier card badge says 'Auto-pay active' after a refresh. The supplier card shows the live status so you can see at a glance which side is missing. If you just enabled auto-pay on AliExpress, click 'Refresh status' to update the badge.

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    FAQ

    Related FAQ

    Is Build the Drop compatible with AliExpress?
    Yes! AliExpress is our primary supplier integration. You can search millions of AliExpress products directly from Build the Drop, import them to your Shopify store, and have orders fulfilled automatically.
    How often does stock sync with AliExpress?
    Stock sync frequency depends on your plan. FREE syncs once per day, Starter syncs twice per day, Pro syncs four times per day, and Business includes unlimited stock sync.
    How do I connect my AliExpress account?
    You connect your AliExpress account from within a space so Build the Drop can link that supplier source to your workspace. Each space manages its own supplier connection.
    Is Build the Drop free to use with AliExpress?
    Build the Drop offers a free plan that lets you import up to 50 products and manage basic AliExpress dropshipping. Paid plans unlock unlimited products, automated price rules and bulk order fulfillment.
    How does Build the Drop compare to DSers or AutoDS for AliExpress?
    Unlike DSers (AliExpress-only, limited pricing logic) or AutoDS (complex, expensive), Build the Drop focuses on clean UX, powerful formula-based pricing, and multi-supplier support — so you're not locked into AliExpress long-term.
    View all FAQs →