AliExpress Back-to-School Sale 2026: How It Works and How to Save More

Advertiser Disclosure: At Slickdeals, we work hard to find the best deals. Some products in our articles are from partners who may provide us with compensation, but this doesn’t change our opinions. Our editors strive to ensure that the information in this article is accurate as of the date published, but please keep in mind that offers can change. We encourage you to verify all terms and conditions of any product before you apply.

AliExpress runs a Back-to-School Sale every year, and 2026’s version is one of the deeper ones — sale pricing stacked with tiered promo codes and an extra payment-based discount on top. If you’re deciding whether to time a purchase around it, here’s how the event actually works, what to expect, and how to get the most out of it.

When Does the Sale Run?

The event happens in two phases. A warm-up window runs Aug. 14 through Aug. 16 PT, when you can browse the sale venue and build your cart before pricing officially drops. The main sale then goes live Aug. 16 at 9 p.m. PT and runs through Aug. 26 at 8:59 p.m. PT — a 10-day window once it opens.

Timing matters here more than with AliExpress’s everyday discounts. Prices and promo eligibility are tied to that exact window, so shopping a day early or a day late means missing the event-specific savings entirely.

How the Discount Structure Works

Two layers of savings apply during the sale, and they stack:

• Sale pricing: Listings across the event venue are marked down as much as 90% off, applied automatically — no code needed to see the discounted price.
• Tiered promo codes: On top of sale pricing, AliExpress issues a set of event-exclusive codes tied to your cart total. The bigger your order, the bigger the code’s dollar value — the top tier is worth well over $100 off a large cart.

New AliExpress accounts get a separate, longer-running set of first-order codes on top of this, valid past the sale’s end date. For exact code names, current values and minimum spend requirements, check our AliExpress coupon guide, which we keep updated in real time as codes go live and expire.

Stacking PayPal Pay Later for Extra Savings

Beyond sale pricing and promo codes, choosing PayPal Pay Later as your payment method unlocks an additional discount during the event. It’s a genuine third layer rather than an either-or choice — you can use a promo code and still get the added Pay Later discount on the same order.

This offer is first come, first served, meaning it can run out mid-sale even if you’re shopping within the official dates. If you’re planning to use it, it’s worth checking out earlier in the window rather than waiting for the final days.

What’s Actually on Sale

The event isn’t limited to a school-supplies subcategory — it spans AliExpress’s full catalog, discounted across electronics, apparel, home goods, accessories and more. That breadth is worth knowing before you shop: if you assume it’s just backpacks and notebooks, you’ll miss a lot of what’s included.

Selection and pricing shift throughout the 10-day window, so specific items that are discounted on day one won’t necessarily still be available (or at the same price) by day eight.

How to Get the Most Out of the Sale

Use the warm-up window to prep. Add items to your cart between Aug. 14–16 so you’re ready to check out the moment pricing drops, rather than starting your search from scratch after the sale opens.

Watch your cart total against the code tiers. Because the promo codes scale with how much you spend, adding one more item you were already planning to buy can sometimes push you into a meaningfully bigger discount tier. Check the current tier breakdown on our coupon page before you check out.

Compare new-account codes against event codes if you’re a first-time shopper. The new-user codes run longer than the main event, so it’s worth comparing both sets rather than assuming the event code is automatically your best option.

Don’t wait on PayPal Pay Later. Since it’s limited availability, claim it early in the sale window if you want to stack it.

Is the AliExpress Back-to-School Sale Worth Shopping?

If you already had an AliExpress order planned for this month, yes — stacking sale pricing, a promo code and the Pay Later discount adds up to meaningfully more savings than AliExpress’s standing, year-round discounts. It’s a weaker case if you need something before Aug. 16, since none of the event-specific pricing or codes apply until the sale is officially live.

For the current, verified promo codes to use once the sale opens, see our full AliExpress coupon guide — we update it as soon as each code goes active.

AliExpress Back-to-School Sale FAQs

When exactly does the Back-to-School Sale start and end?

The sale goes live Aug. 16 at 9 p.m. PT and runs through Aug. 26 at 8:59 p.m. PT. A warm-up period from Aug. 14–16 lets you browse and cart items before pricing officially drops.

Do I need a promo code to get the sale discount?

No. Sale pricing (up to 90% off) applies automatically across the event venue. A promo code is a separate, additional discount on top of that, tied to your cart total.

Can I combine a promo code with PayPal Pay Later?

Yes. The Pay Later discount stacks on top of a promo code discount. It’s first come, first served, so it may become unavailable before the sale ends even if the sale itself is still running.

Do new AliExpress accounts get a different discount than returning shoppers?

Yes. New accounts unlock their own set of first-order codes, which run longer than the main event’s codes. It’s worth comparing both if you’re a new shopper during the sale window.

Is the sale limited to school supplies?

No. The Back-to-School Sale spans AliExpress’s full catalog — electronics, apparel, home goods and more — not just items marketed specifically for students.