November is AliExpress's biggest month. The 11.11 sale (Singles' Day) and Black Friday bring the most generous promo codes of the year, but also the most noise: inflated "was" prices, codes that only work in one country, and coupons that quietly cancel each other out.
Here's how to plan it so you actually pay less.
Key dates for November 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| 11.11 (Singles' Day) | Wednesday, November 11 |
| Black Friday | Friday, November 27 |
| Cyber Monday | Monday, November 30 |
For 2026, AliExpress's announced 11.11 campaign runs from November 1 to November 18, with the biggest day on November 11 itself, according to press coverage of the announcement. A Black Friday and Cyber Monday phase follows later in the month. Exact start times vary by country, so check the banner on AliExpress's homepage for your region.
How sale discounts stack on AliExpress
During a sale, a single order can combine three layers:
- Store coupons from each seller in your cart. You collect them on the store or product page before checkout.
- One platform discount: either a sitewide sale promo code or an AliExpress coupon already in your account. They share one slot.
- Coins, a small extra saving on eligible orders.
The sale codes are released per country and currency, in tiers. A typical set looks like "US $X off orders of US $Y", with bigger discounts at higher thresholds. A code published for the US usually won't work on a Canadian, UK or European checkout.
Your 11.11 and Black Friday plan
Before the sale
- Fill your cart early. Add what you want before the sale starts, so on the day you're only checking prices, not searching.
- Check price histories. Some listings raise their price before a sale so the "discount" looks bigger. A price-history extension shows whether the sale price is really lower than last month's. See the best AliExpress extensions.
- Collect store coupons for each seller in your cart. Sellers often add sale-only coupons, so check again when the sale starts.
- Find the codes for your country. Deal sites list many codes, but only your region's codes will work.
On the day
- Shop early for high-value codes. The top-tier codes at the start of a sale can have a limited number of uses, and popular items can sell out.
- Aim for a code tier. If you're just below a threshold, adding something you need anyway can unlock a bigger code. Don't add US $20 of things you don't want to save US $5.
- Split or combine orders deliberately. A single code applies per order. One big order may reach a higher tier; two smaller orders could each use a smaller code. Work out which gives the bigger total discount.
At checkout
- Note the total before entering a code. A sale code replaces any AliExpress account coupon you already hold, and if that coupon was worth more, your total goes up. If that happens, remove the code or reload the checkout page.
- Check the order summary breakdown. You'll see separate lines for seller discounts, store coupons, coins and "AliExpress coupons/codes". Make sure each layer is filled.
- Read why AliExpress promo codes fail if a code is rejected.
Spotting fake sale prices
- "Up to 90% off" is a ceiling, not an average. Most items are discounted far less.
- Compare the sale price with the price history, not with the crossed-out "original" price.
- Check the total with shipping. A cheap item with expensive shipping can cost more than a pricier listing with free delivery.
- Watch for variant tricks. The headline price sometimes belongs to the smallest size or a cheaper accessory, not the item you want.
11.11 or Black Friday: which is better?
Both bring big codes. 11.11 is AliExpress's traditional headline sale, so it usually gets the most attention and the widest range of discounts. Black Friday and Cyber Monday add another round later in the month. If you need something now, 11.11 is a good bet. If you can wait, compare the price history at both events before deciding.
Let AutoAli do the checkout part
During a sale, checking store coupons for every seller, finding your country's code and comparing totals takes time you'd rather spend shopping. AutoAli, our free extension, does it in one click at checkout:
- collects the store coupons for every seller in your cart;
- finds the current sale codes for your country and currency;
- applies the best code your order qualifies for, and only keeps it if your total goes down.
It never places an order and needs no account. Before the sale, see our guide to AliExpress coupons and promo codes and 10 ways to save on AliExpress.
Checklist for sale day
- Cart filled before the sale
- Price history checked for big-ticket items
- Store coupons collected (and re-checked when the sale starts)
- Your country's sale code ready
- Total noted before the code, compared after
- Shipping included in the comparison