Aliexpress Alipay authenticate identity

[LinZhenPu]

Can someone break this down for me?

It's something about certifiying your identity but I'd like it broken down for me.

 

As an aside, this is currently an obstacle for us foreigners who want to check out on websites that support aliplay. Taobao and Aliexpress seems possible, but the generic Aliplay service only accepts Chinese bank cards at the moment to certify your identity.

 

Apparently this is going to be fixed with a website update within the next 24-48 hours, according to a live chat support rep on Aliexpress Aliplay. I'll see if it is so.

[Kamille]

You already know all there's to know. It doesn't express anything more than the need for you to verify your ID.

[muyongshi]

And you are also correct that their express services only allow for Chinese bank cards.

I used to think it was an obstacle to, until I went and got a Chinese bank card. Best hour spent of my life in China... (Possibly slight exaggeration). Point being, it doesn't have to be an obstacle.

[LinZhenPu]

Yes, I could get another card from the Bank of China, both closest cities they are in are 5 hour drive away... But will get around to it. If only I hadn't lost my first one.

[muyongshi]

What about another bank? ICBC, CCB.... Used both. At the moment I prefer ICBC

[LinZhenPu]

The thing is that I'm not physically in China, I'm in Australia, so it's currently not possible for me to open a bank account there without getting someone else to do it for me under their name, which would be no good because Alipay will most likely require my passport to get authenticated.

 

The only Chinese bank that has branches for personal banking open to the public in Australia is Bank of China. It's a separate entity to the Bank of China entity in Mainland China: Bank of China Australia Ltd. However, Alipay does seem to recognize the cards they issue as BOC going by the numbers on the sample card image (6259 0788). Here is the card I'm talking about, it's called the Great Wall International Debit Card: http://www.bankofchina.com/au/en/1-7.html

 

Whether it will accept this card to get 'real name authenticated' remains to be seen. It takes 2 weeks to get a personalized card with your name printed on it, the usual card does not have your name printed on it. Having your name on the card may or may not be an issue.

The other thing is that they spelled my surname incorrectly when I opened my account with them. That might be my ticket to getting a brand new account opened without a charge for a new card.

 

There are other Chinese banks that do have a presence in Australia but AFAIK none of them provide any banking service for the average joe who walks into their office off the street, only Bank of China Australia Ltd.

 

It may not be an issue at all if the website update makes it so Alipay accepts international (non-chinese) bank cards/passports for real name authentication, but for now they don't. They only accept a Chinese bank card and a Chinese Resident Identity Card. I was also told while on the phone to Alipay customer service that you need to own a Chinese Resident Identity Card to get real name authenticated.

 

The Aliexpress Alipay online live chat help when reporting this issue to them told me to try again after 48 hours after the website update. 12 hours down, 36 to go. Fingers crossed!

[Kamille]

Best hour spent of my life in China... (Possibly slight exaggeration).

 

I don't know . I personally wish I had a Chinese bank account. Is it possible to get one with a simple tourist visa?

[muyongshi]

I don't know . I personally wish I had a Chinese bank account. Is it possible to get one with a simple tourist visa?

Yes. All you need is a passport and phone #. They'll ask for an address but they really don't care about that. The daily limits are not high for purchases (like 10000, I think).

[muyongshi]

The thing is that I'm not physically in China, I'm in Australia, so it's currently not possible for me to open a bank account there without getting someone else to do it for me under their name, which would be no good because Alipay will most likely require my passport to get authenticated.

The only Chinese bank that has branches for personal banking open to the public in Australia is Bank of China. It's a separate entity to the Bank of China entity in Mainland China: Bank of China Australia Ltd. However, Alipay does seem to recognize the cards they issue as BOC going by the numbers on the sample card image (6259 0788). Here is the card I'm talking about, it's called the Great Wall International Debit Card: http://www.bankofchina.com/au/en/1-7.html

Whether it will accept this card to get 'real name authenticated' remains to be seen. It takes 2 weeks to get a personalized card with your name printed on it, the usual card does not have your name printed on it. Having your name on the card may or may not be an issue.

The other thing is that they spelled my surname incorrectly when I opened my account with them. That might be my ticket to getting a brand new account opened without a charge for a new card.

There are other Chinese banks that do have a presence in Australia but AFAIK none of them provide any banking service for the average joe who walks into their office off the street, only Bank of China Australia Ltd.

It may not be an issue at all if the website update makes it so Alipay accepts international (non-chinese) bank cards/passports for real name authentication, but for now they don't. They only accept a Chinese bank card and a Chinese Resident Identity Card. I was also told while on the phone to Alipay customer service that you need to own a Chinese Resident Identity Card to get real name authenticated.

The Aliexpress Alipay online live chat help when reporting this issue to them told me to try again after 48 hours after the website update. 12 hours down, 36 to go. Fingers crossed!

I understand better. I was assuming you were in mainland.

What does the real name thing do for you? I use my international credit card all the time for taobao purchases but it's not the express pay.

Also, I set up alipay like 10 years ago so I honestly can't remember if I'm "verified" or not.

[LinZhenPu]

It says something along the lines of this card type can't be used at this time, please use a different card, or if english prompt, it says if it's an international card use it directly. Ie, use it directly on the website using the website's own mastercard/visa etc processing.

The biggest reason why I want to use aliplay is because of the lower processing fees on italki. It may seem small but money is money and it can add up over time. Though they also accept unionpay, so if I get a bank of china card i'll probably just use union pay.

 

I'm going to get into trouble for making such an off-topic thread, lol

[muyongshi]

It's not really off topic and if you get in trouble, Roddy is really nice about it (or so I've heard... He's usually mean to me ;).