AliExpress: Self Developer app, OAuth and synchronisation

What it is for

The AliExpress connector uses the AliExpress Open Platform. It retrieves orders and the list of listings (products and SKUs), sends stock levels and optionally prices, and reports the parcel number.

Connector scope: works for POP sellers (including semi-managed) and cross-border orders from the AliExpress warehouse. With other sales models, the API may return error 10002 or be unavailable.

Where to find it in the app

Sales and logistics, "Sales channels", "Add sales channel", type "AliExpress", and in the channel the "Connection" tab. Connector fields: "App Key" and "App Secret". You authorise the seller account separately with the "Connect account" button (OAuth), and Zaksio refreshes the access token itself.

The form in the "Connection" tab is built from the connector description, so it contains exactly the fields the platform requires, along with short instructions and a link to its documentation. After "Save credentials", click "Test connection"; "Start" in the "Synchronisation" tab only works after a successful check.

Where to get the keys

1. Create a seller account in AliExpress Seller Center, use it to log in to AliExpress Open Platform (openservice.aliexpress.com) and accept the platform agreement.
2. In Console, App Management, create a Self Developer app (company details and description). Wait for approval and for the API packages to be assigned: orders, products and logistics.
3. Once approved, copy the App Key and App Secret and paste them into the "Connection" tab.
4. In the app settings, enter the redirect URL shown in Zaksio when connecting the account. The authorisation code is valid for only 3 minutes.
5. Click "Connect account" and sign in as the seller who authorises the app.

API documentation: openservice.aliexpress.com/doc/api.htm.

What it synchronises

• Orders: searched by modification date, in windows of up to 24 hours (split when they exceed 20 pages), every 2 minutes. Orders awaiting payment and under risk control are skipped. The API does not provide VAT rates or the buyer's email.
• Listings: products and SKUs with the identifier "product_id:sku_code". The list requires a separate request for each product, and items without a SKU code are skipped.
• Stock levels and prices: in bulk, 20 products at a time, with a result per product, so an error on one SKU means an error on all SKUs of that product in the request. Prices only when "syncPrices" is enabled, and omitting the sale price deletes it, so a price change removes the SKU's active promotion.
• Parcel number: by default the "other" service with a tracking page. You can set a service name from the AliExpress list in "trackingServiceName".

Important notes

• We retrieve the recipient address using the method the documentation describes for sellers from Turkey, so it may be unavailable on other accounts.