11.11 on AliExpress: what to check before you order to Egypt
The 11.11 sale is on, and the prices look unreal. Before you fill your cart, here's what the price on the page doesn't tell you about ordering to Egypt.
11.11, also called Singles' Day, is AliExpress's biggest sale of the year. This year it runs through most of November in most countries, and the biggest coupons usually land on 11 November itself. The prices are tempting, but ordering from abroad comes with costs and waiting that a local store doesn't have. Check these before you pay.
1. Look at the final price, not the item price
The number on the product page is only the start. Add shipping, then check whether taxes and customs are included. Imported goods to Egypt can be charged 14% VAT plus customs duty depending on the item, and some shipping methods collect that at delivery instead of at checkout.
Compare the final total with what the same item costs on Amazon, Noon or Jumia in Egypt. Sometimes the local price, with fast delivery and easy returns, is the better deal.
2. Plan for the wait
- Most orders from China take a few weeks to reach Egypt, and sale season adds delays.
- Check the estimated delivery date on the product page before you order.
- If you need it for a gift or a date next week, buy it locally.
3. Understand the coupons
AliExpress has more than one kind of discount, and they can stack:
- Store coupons from the seller, collected on the store or product page.
- Platform coupons and promo codes from AliExpress, usually with a minimum order.
- Coins and sale prices already shown on the item.
If a coupon needs a minimum, it can be worth putting your items in one order instead of several small ones. Just don't add things you don't need to reach it.
4. Check the seller, not just the product
- Look at the store's rating, how long it has been open, and how many orders the item has.
- Read reviews with buyer photos, especially for electronics, chargers and power banks.
- A price far below every other seller usually means a fake or a lower-quality version.
5. Skip phones from abroad
Imported phones in Egypt have to be registered and pay customs and tax fees before they work on local networks. A cheap phone from abroad can end up costing much more than it looks. For phones, buy a version sold officially in Egypt.
6. Use the buyer protection
Keep your order page and messages with the seller. If the item doesn't arrive or isn't what was described, open a dispute before the protection period ends, and don't confirm receipt until you've checked the item.
7. Prepare your cart early
Add what you want to your cart now and note the price. When the main sale day comes, you'll see right away whether the price actually dropped.
Before you check out, open AliExpress through Waffrlly to find working codes for your order.