# AliExpress setup for PopMCP

You end up with two values from an approved AliExpress Open Platform app. The App Key, a short numeric ID, and the App Secret. Paste both into PopMCP before running the OAuth handshake.

- Auth: OAuth authorization
- Setup time: 20 min, plus 1 to 2 business days waiting for AliExpress to approve the app
- API base URL: https://api-sg.aliexpress.com/sync
- Credentials screen: https://open.aliexpress.com/app/index.htm
- Provider docs: https://openservice.aliexpress.com/doc/doc.htm

## Approval required before this works

AliExpress Open Platform staff must approve both your developer account and each app's API permission request before an App Key and Secret are issued.

- Typical wait: AliExpress does not publish an SLA. Developers commonly report the app sitting "Under Review" for roughly 1-5 working days; treat any figure as community-reported, not vendor-stated.
- Cost: Free - registering as a developer and submitting an app costs nothing.
- Blocked until approved: Every API call. Without an approved app you have no App Key or App Secret, so there is no OAuth authorization URL and no signed request to make - affiliate, dropshipping (DS) and seller/solution API families each need their permission granted explicitly.
- Works meanwhile: Create the UAC account, sign the Open Platform agreement, read the API reference and the MD5/SHA256 signature rules, and build against the documented request/response shapes. Nothing live works.

## Before you begin

- An AliExpress account you can sign into the Open Platform with. A seller or store account is expected for the dropshipping solution.
- Company details, a contact phone number and an email you can receive a verification code on. Developer registration asks for all of these.
- Approval of the dropshipping API permission group on the app. AliExpress reviews new apps and usually replies within 1 to 2 business days.
- PopMCP's callback URL, copied from the connect screen before you start. It has to be saved on the app before authorization works.

## Get your credentials

### 1. Register as an Open Platform developer

Go to open.aliexpress.com and sign in with your AliExpress account. Accept the Open Platform Developer Agreement, complete Registration certification with your dialling code, phone number and email, then click Get Check Code and enter the code.

Screen: https://open.aliexpress.com/

### 2. Create an app in App Management

Open the App Management tab and click Create App, then pick Self Developer as the app type and click Click to Apply. Fill in Contact name, Contact mobile number, E-mail, your AliExpress store address, Software name and Software function, then submit.

Screen: https://open.aliexpress.com/app/index.htm

### 3. Apply for the dropshipping API permission

Open API Permission on your app and apply for the group covering the `aliexpress.ds.*` APIs. Attach a document describing your business need if the form asks for one.

Screen: https://open.aliexpress.com/app/index.htm

### 4. Save PopMCP's callback URL on the app

Open Authorization Management on the app and paste the callback URL from PopMCP's AliExpress connect screen into Callback URL. Click Save.

Screen: https://open.aliexpress.com/app/index.htm

### 5. Copy the App Key and App Secret

Once the app shows Approved in App Management, click Management on its row. Copy App Key into PopMCP, click View to reveal App Secret, and paste that in too.

Screen: https://open.aliexpress.com/app/index.htm

## Fields PopMCP asks for

- App Key (appKey) [required]: Your AliExpress app's App Key from open.aliexpress.com (Console → App Management). Add the callback URL above to that app first, and make sure the app is approved for the Dropshipper solution.
- App Secret (appSecret) [required]: The app's secret, on the same screen as the App Key. Stored encrypted; used server-side only and never shown again.

## Callback URL to register

https://app.popmcp.com/api/providers/aliexpress/callback

## Verify

PopMCP's AliExpress connector shows Connected after the authorization redirect returns, and a product search comes back with live listings, prices and stock.

## Troubleshooting

### Invalid redirect_uri, or the authorization page refuses to redirect back

Cause: The callback URL saved on the app does not exactly match the one PopMCP sends.

Fix: Re-copy the callback URL from PopMCP's connect screen into Authorization Management. No trailing slash, no http against https.

### IncompleteSignature or invalid signature errors

Cause: The App Secret was pasted with a leading or trailing space, or the key and secret came from two different apps.

Fix: Re-copy both values from the same app's credentials panel and reconnect.

### App has no permission for this API

Cause: The dropshipping permission group is still pending, or was never applied for.

Fix: Open the app's API Permission tab and confirm the dropshipping group shows Approved before connecting.

### Credentials never appear after creating the app

Cause: The app is still under review. App Key and App Secret are issued on approval, not on submission.

Fix: Wait the 1 to 2 business days AliExpress quotes, then reopen the app from App Management.

### Calls start failing after a few days

Cause: The access token from the OAuth exchange expired.

Fix: Reconnect the connector in PopMCP to run authorization again. The App Key and App Secret do not change.

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Source: https://www.docs.popmcp.com/docs/integrations/aliexpress/