Introduction
In China’s fast-paced digital economy, Alipay has become the backbone of commerce, connecting millions of local and international users. Yet one question often confuses foreign buyers: why do Chinese vendors always ask for the Alipay transaction detail for proof, instead of accepting the blue “Payment Successful” screenshot that appears immediately after payment?
The reason is simple but crucial — in Alipay’s ecosystem, the blue success page is just a momentary confirmation of payment initiation, while the transaction detail (账单详情) is the only verifiable and permanent proof that funds were actually received. Understanding this difference not only builds trust but also protects both parties in global trade.
The Two Faces of Alipay Payment Confirmation
Every payment on Alipay produces two distinct visual confirmations:
-
Blue “Payment Successful” Screen (支付成功)
-
Appears instantly after you complete a transaction.
-
Shows the amount, recipient, and “Done” button.
-
Cannot be reopened or verified later.
-
-
Transaction Detail Screen (账单详情)
-
Found in Alipay → Bills (账单) → select the payment.
-
Displays transaction ID, order number, date, time, and payment method.
-
Acts as a digital money slip and proof of payment.
-
Why Chinese Vendors Reject the Blue Payment Screen
1️⃣ Lack of Transaction Identifiers
The blue screen does not contain vital identifiers such as:
-
Transaction number (交易单号)
-
Order number (订单号)
-
Timestamp or bank routing reference
Without these, merchants cannot trace payments in their system. In contrast, the Alipay transaction detail for proof includes all identifiers required for bookkeeping and order verification.
2️⃣ No Backend Verification
Chinese merchants verify payments through Alipay’s merchant console, which only recognizes the order or transaction number.
If you send them a blue screenshot, they cannot match it to any internal record — meaning, for them, the payment cannot be confirmed.
3️⃣ Risk of Forged Screenshots
The blue success page is easy to imitate. Online scammers often use templates to create fake confirmation screens and trick small suppliers.
By requesting the Alipay transaction detail for proof, vendors eliminate this risk because the transaction ID can be checked directly in their records.
What the Alipay Transaction Detail for Proof Includes
When you open the 账单详情 (Transaction Detail) page, you’ll notice that it provides:
-
Exact Date & Time – the timestamp of successful payment
-
Merchant Name – official account or business name
-
Payment Method – e.g., balance, linked card, or bank transfer
-
Order Number (订单号) – used for internal reconciliation
-
Transaction Number (交易单号) – unique Alipay ledger reference
-
Payment Status – 交易成功 (Transaction Successful)
In other words, this page is your digital receipt — a verifiable document accepted by vendors, customer support, and even financial institutions.
Vendor’s Perspective: Why It Matters So Much
From a supplier’s viewpoint, hundreds of small transactions arrive daily. Without the Alipay transaction detail for proof, there is no reliable way to confirm which buyer’s payment corresponds to which order.
“To a Chinese vendor, a blue screen means someone clicked pay — but only a transaction detail means the money reached their account.”
That’s why the 账单详情 page isn’t just a formality; it’s part of the financial verification chain used across China’s B2B trade platforms like 1688, Taobao, and Alibaba.
The Legal and Financial Importance
Alipay is regulated under China’s central banking and anti-fraud frameworks. Legally, the Alipay transaction detail for proof is the official record that holds evidentiary value in case of:
-
Payment disputes
-
Refund requests
-
Audits or chargeback investigations
The blue payment page, by contrast, is only a UI notification, not a legal record. Once closed, it cannot be retrieved or validated.
How to Provide the Correct Proof to Vendors
If a vendor asks you to send proof of payment, here’s what you should do:
-
Open Alipay → Bills (账单)
-
Find your transaction and tap to open the full record
-
Screenshot the entire Transaction Detail (账单详情) page showing:
-
Merchant name
-
Payment time and date
-
Order number and transaction number
-
Payment method and success status
-
-
Blur personal data if needed, but never crop the identifiers
-
Send this screenshot to your supplier as official proof
By following these steps, your supplier can instantly confirm your payment in their system, reducing delays in shipping or refund processing.
Common Mistakes Foreign Buyers Make
-
Sending only the blue success screen as “proof”
-
Cropping screenshots to hide parts of the detail
-
Forgetting to include the transaction ID
-
Not matching the order number with invoice records
Each of these errors leads to unnecessary confusion. Vendors aren’t being difficult; they simply need verifiable data — which only the Alipay transaction detail for proof provides.
Fraud Prevention: Why This Habit Protects Everyone
Fake Alipay screenshots are one of the most common fraud tools in online trade. By insisting on the detailed transaction page, vendors not only protect themselves but also buyers.
When both parties exchange transaction numbers, they can confirm the transaction directly in Alipay’s system, making scams virtually impossible.
Hence, this practice of asking for the Alipay transaction detail for proof is not mistrust — it’s mutual protection.
Real Example of Vendor Verification
Imagine a buyer transfers ¥10,000 to a factory in Shenzhen. The buyer shares the blue screen as proof. The factory accountant, managing 50 transactions per hour, searches by order number — but finds nothing.
Only after the buyer sends the Alipay transaction detail for proof, showing the 交易单号 and timestamp, can the accountant confirm the transfer and release goods.
This real-world example illustrates why the detail page is the universal language of trust in China’s digital payment environment.
Conclusion
In digital trade, speed without verification is risk. The blue “Payment Successful” screen provides reassurance but not accountability. The Alipay transaction detail for proof provides both — clear identifiers, accurate timestamps, and immutable records.
For every cross-border buyer or merchant using Alipay, understanding this difference means smoother operations, faster verification, and stronger protection against fraud.
So next time your vendor says, “Please send me the 账单详情,” remember — they are not being cautious; they are being professional.
