TikTok Shop Launches Cross-border Store in the US SHEIN Invests in Supply Chain | Cross-border E-commerce Weekly Report

【Ebrun Original】TikTok Shop launches a cross-border store in the US; SHEIN invests in a hundred billion supply chain project; Temu maintains its lead in the UK shopping app download volume for the fifth consecutive month.

Compiled by Wang Haoran

Here's what happened in the cross-border e-commerce sector in the past week:

# Platform Dynamics #

【Amazon】

1. Amazon's Fall Member Day average spending per order is $55.86

Numerator has released data from the first 30 hours of Amazon Fall Member Day 2023, including verified spending, orders, products, and cart metrics; shopper demographics; and verified buyer survey data supported by Numerator's Total Channel Consumption panel. Here are the key findings from the Prime Big Deal Days purchase data survey:

The average spending per order on Prime Big Deal Days is $55.86, lower than the Prime Day promotion in July but slightly higher than the early fall promotion in October last year.

Nearly half (46%) of shopping households have placed more than 2 orders, and 6% of households placed 5 or more orders in the first 30 hours of Prime Big Deal Days. The average household spending is about $108.86. (VIPON)

2. Amazon sees 9.5 million visits in the 48 hours before the Great Indian Festival

Amazon reported that in the 48 hours before the Great Indian Festival on October 8, 2023, there were 9.5 million users logging into the platform. Prime members' purchases in the 24 hours before the big sale were 18 times higher than the same period last year, setting a historical high.

During the Great Indian Festival event, OnePlus, Samsung, and Apple were the most popular smartphone brands. Customers were purchasing over 100 phones per minute during the event. Prime members were buying over 75 smartphones per second in the first hour of the event. In the 48 hours, 75% of the phones were bought by users from the second and third-tier cities. (Yi En)

3. Amazon tests new "Buy Again" feature in its shopping app to drive repeat purchases

Amazon is testing a new "Buy Again" feature on its app, which will be displayed on the homepage of the Amazon shopping app. The purpose is to encourage repeat purchases by buyers in response to the current trends of increasing Prime membership and slowing purchasing expenditure.

The "Buy Again" option is currently only available on the app's homepage and has not been rolled out on the web yet, but a similar feature already exists; it's just not visible on the homepage.

When buyers click into the "Buy Again" option, they can see a stream of historical purchases and will have search and filtering options, as well as a "Discover" page that primarily shows personalized product recommendations based on the buyer's purchase history.

4. Amazon's AWS plans to invest nearly $6 billion in cloud infrastructure in South Korea in the coming years

Amazon recently announced that its cloud computing division, AWS, plans to invest 7.85 trillion South Korean won (approximately $5.88 billion) in cloud computing infrastructure in South Korea by 2027. Ham Kee-ho, head of the AWS Korea subsidiary, stated that this investment will help South Korea become a global power in internet-based cloud applications. Amazon established the Asia-Pacific data center in Seoul in 2016. According to the AWS Korea subsidiary, Amazon has already invested 2.73 trillion South Korean won in Korea since then.

5. Amazon reopens applications for the "Seller Flex Prime Program" in the US

The "Seller Flex Prime Program" has reopened new seller registrations for the US site. This program allows sellers to ship Prime orders directly from their own warehouses to Prime buyers in the destination country, and the products will display the Prime badge.

6. Amazon adds 5 categories to the pre-approval process

Many sellers of the Canadian, Saudi Arabian, Egyptian, Swedish, Polish, and Belgian sites of Amazon have recently received emails outlining Amazon's compliance policy requirements for specific categories. This includes "clothing with drawstrings", "kettles", and "glass doors and fences" for the Canadian site, "infant food" for the Saudi Arabian and Egyptian sites, and updated compliance requirements for "baby food" on the Swedish, Polish, and Belgian sites. Amazon advises sellers who sell the relevant products to pay attention and take action promptly to meet compliance requirements and avoid product delisting.

7. Amazon introduces new fee tiers for AmazonVine in the US

Amazon announced the introduction of new fee tiers for AmazonVine, effective from October 19, 2023. The AmazonVine program is a review management tool provided by Amazon for brand sellers, designed to help brands obtain insightful reviews for wise customer purchase decisions.

For $0 (new tier), each parent ASIN may register up to 2 items for the Vine program and receive up to 2 high-quality Vine reviews for free. For $75 (new tier), each parent ASIN may register up to 10 items for the Vine program and receive up to 10 high-quality Vine reviews. For $200 (existing tier), each parent ASIN may register up to 30 items for the Vine program and receive up to 30 high-quality Vine reviews.

The announcement also states that participating in the AmazonVine program can help increase sales by up to 30%. After October 19, 2023, items registered for the new fee tiers will not be able to switch to different tiers or add child ASINs.

8. Amazon updates return management tools; sellers can filter returns by specific stores

Amazon's US site recently announced an update to its return management tools to help sellers easily manage customer returns for orders fulfilled by sellers across multiple stores. Sellers can also filter returns by specific stores. Previously, sellers had to log in to each store's seller center account to manage returns, but now they can view all returns for the stores they sell in on one dashboard.

【TikTok】

1. TikTok’s Kang Zeyu responds to the shutdown of the e-commerce business in Indonesia: Striving to resume operations soon

Due to the impact of the new e-commerce law in Indonesia, TikTok Shop closed its e-commerce business in the country on October 4. In response, Kang Zeyu, Head of TikTok e-commerce, stated in an internal communication, "This incident happened rather suddenly, and the reasons behind it are quite complex. We will strive to resume operations soon." He further mentioned, "We are actively discussing with relevant authorities to find the best way to continue providing good services for Indonesian businesses and users."

Kang Zeyu also mentioned internally that TikTok Shop has served 80 million Indonesian users, and millions of sellers and creators have earned income through the platform. He believes that TikTok Shop not only serves local SMEs in Indonesia but also provides them with opportunities for global market development.

2. TikTok implements a new seller settlement policy; applies 3 settlement periods based on shop performance

According to the email sent by TikTok Shop, TikTok will implement a new seller settlement policy for TikTok stores. Starting from November 1, 2023, TikTok Shop will apply 3 different settlement periods based on the performance of the seller's store. These include, standard settlement period: 8 calendar days for funds settlement; rapid settlement period: 3 calendar days for funds settlement; extended settlement period: 15 calendar days for funds settlement. TikTok sellers are advised to pay attention to the settlement policy and understand the settlement period applicable to their store. (TikTok Shop Cross-border e-commerce)

3. TikTok supports direct content publishing from AI-driven Adobe applications

TikTok recently introduced a new feature that allows users to directly publish from a range of popular editing applications to its video platform, including Adobe's AI video editing software Premiere Pro, AI creative app Adobe Express, and other apps such as Twitch, SocialPilot, and ByteDance's CapCut. The new product, Direct Post, is essentially targeted at third-party app developers who want to integrate more closely with TikTok. It builds on TikTok's existing integration, allowing third-party apps to add their tags when publishing to TikTok.

4. TikTok Shop opens cross-border store entry in the USTikTok Shop, the cross-border e-commerce platform, has announced that its TikTok Shop's self-operated mode in the United States is now open to invite cross-border merchants to join. According to the introduction, the "self-operated mode for merchants (also known as the POP mode)" refers to merchants independently operating and being responsible for the entire process of product listing, sales, marketing, logistics, etc. In the self-operated mode, merchants can flexibly choose sales scenarios such as live streaming, short videos, influencer collaboration, and participate in platform marketing activities based on their own capabilities. Currently, the self-operated mode for cross-border merchants in the U.S. market supports three types of merchants for targeted invitation to join: domestic shipping merchants in the U.S., brands expanding to the U.S. market, and jewelry and crystal merchants.

TikTok's U.S. store has started inviting domestic merchants with Amazon operating experience and an annual sales volume of no less than 2 million U.S. dollars to join. The three types of merchants targeted for invitation to join are: domestic companies, stores under the same entity as Amazon with an annual sales volume of no less than 2 million U.S. dollars, and the need for domestic shipping. (TK Growth Conference)

【Shopee】

1 Shopee 10.10 Mega Sale: Order volume increases tenfold compared to regular days

Following the end of the Shopee 10.10 Mega Sale, the order volume has surged tenfold compared to regular days.

Shopee is vigorously developing its live streaming business, creating new marketing scenes and strategies for brands. On the 10.10 Mega Sale day, the number of cross-border stores hosting live streams increased by 43 times compared to regular days, and cross-border brand live streams saw a staggering 68-fold increase in order volume compared to regular days.

Leveraging the Shopee platform, new sellers on Shopee Mall achieved an astonishing 15-fold increase in order volume on the Mega Sale day. (Shopee cross-border e-commerce)

2 Shopee Philippines: Accounts that repeatedly list prohibited items will be directly frozen

Shopee Philippines e-commerce platform announced that starting from October 2, 2023, accounts that repeatedly list prohibited items will be directly frozen. Prohibited items include but are not limited to: products that violate local regulations, products that breach Shopee standards, products used for promotion, swapped products, and products with misleading discounts.

3 Shopee Indonesia suspends the sale of cross-border goods in response to Indonesia's new e-commerce regulations

According to Indonesian media reports, the e-commerce platform Shopee Indonesia has officially suspended the sale of goods from overseas or cross-border sellers. This measure took effect on October 4th. Radityo Triatmojo, Shopee Indonesia's Head of Public Policy, stated on October 6th that this measure is a response to Regulation 31/2023 issued by Indonesia's Trade Minister in 2023.

【Alibaba】

1 Lazada Vietnam adjusts end-point fees for cross-border sites

Lazada announced that following a comprehensive platform assessment, it will adjust the end-point fee rates for its Vietnam sites. In Da Nang, Ha Noi, and HCM regions, the average fee for 0.01kg to 2kg parcels will increase by 4%-22%; however, other regions will not be affected. This adjustment will apply to orders created from 0:00 on October 13, 2023, and will be applicable to orders fulfilled by Lazada from mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea.

2 Alibaba International revises "Alibaba International Station Intellectual Property Rules"

Alibaba International Station recently announced that in order to better comply with relevant domestic and international laws and regulations, promote the sustainable development of businesses on the Alibaba International Station, and help businesses operate and promote products in compliance, the platform has refined the separate penalty rules for infringement in the transaction process and upgraded the "Alibaba International Station Intellectual Property Rules". The revised rules were announced for public notice on October 10, 2023, and will officially come into effect on October 17, 2023.

3 AliExpress launches semi-fulfillment warehouse delivery service, enabling "Goods Dispatched When Ordered"

AliExpress's semi-fulfillment has recently launched a warehouse delivery service.

Prior to the launch of warehouse delivery, semi-fulfillment sellers could only choose the Just-In-Time (JIT) shipping method, where goods are dispatched when orders are received. With the introduction of the warehouse delivery service, goods are pre-stocked at selected warehouses within China, allowing orders to be automatically processed for delivery within 24 hours once overseas customers complete the order and payment.

According to AliExpress's announcement, the warehouse delivery service is currently available at two locations in Hangzhou and Dongguan and can support sellers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Fujian, and other regions. AliExpress is actively preparing for more warehouse capacity resources.

4 Lazada exempts fees for sellers specifically conducting live sales on Lazada

James Chang, CEO of Lazada Indonesia, told employees during a Friday staff meeting that the company is attracting sellers who are affected by Indonesia's latest e-commerce regulations. According to a memorandum sent to employees after the meeting, Chang stated that the company has exempted all sellers specifically conducting live sales on Lazada in Indonesia from fees. "For micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises affected by recent regulatory changes, we are providing support by allowing them to join Lazada. In addition, self-registered new sellers will enjoy 3 months of zero commission, 2 months of free shipping, and a seller solution policy worth 300,000 Indonesian Rupiah," he added.

5 AliExpress to implement "Brazilian Tax Fee Prepayment Logistics Service" on October 16

According to the Brazilian Tax Compliance Plan (PRC Plan), AliExpress will officially launch the "Brazilian Tax Fee Prepayment Logistics Service" on October 16, allowing consumers to prepay taxes when placing orders. In the future, buyers who are unwilling to go through customs clearance and get stuck due to prepayment issues when ordering goods from AliExpress to Brazil will significantly decrease, and the fulfillment time will also be substantially improved.

【Shopify】

1 Shopify Search&Discovery App upgraded to be compatible with Storefront API

The Shopify Search&Discovery app has been upgraded to be compatible with the Storefront API, allowing merchants to customize their online stores, increase product exposure, and provide personalized search recommendations to customers. Headless commerce can now use the app to customize the following features: product promotions, promoting products on the search results page; synonyms, creating and editing synonym groups to match product descriptions with customer search terms; collections and search filters, editing product series to allow customers to filter by product inventory status, price, color, and more.

2 Shopify acquires a stake in Faire, intensifying its presence in the B2B market

Shopify announced a partnership with the B2B market Faire, making Faire its recommended wholesale provider. As part of the deal, Shopify will also become a shareholder of Faire, although the specific transaction amount was not disclosed. Established in 2017, Faire currently partners with over 100,000 brands and offers nearly 10 million products, making its customer resources extremely rich.

3 ShopifyQL Notebooks discontinues inventory dataset function

ShopifyQL Notebooks recently removed the inventory dataset function to improve the overall integrity and stability of the platform and optimize system resource management. As of August 7, 2023, ShopifyQL Notebooks no longer supports access to the inventory dataset. The tutorial notes and inventory templates in the inventory dataset, as well as the associated API terminals, will no longer be in use.

As a result, Shopify has provided alternative inventory management solutions to help merchants through the transition. Merchants can track product inventory information and manage product inventory through inventory reports and inventory adjustments history records.

4 Shopify introduces Collabs Network to establish a commission collaboration model between merchants and creators

Shopify has launched the Collabs Network to establish a commission collaboration model between merchants and creators. Through Collabs Network, merchants can set commission rates for all products or at the product series level. Creators can view merchant products through discovery and generate affiliate product links for immediate promotion and sales. Merchants can share affiliate commissions with verified Shopify Collabs creators to reduce selling costs. Merchants can also search for creator project applications and find creators that best suit their product sales needs for collaborative promotions.

5 Shopify adds URL handle translation function

Shopify announced that after configuring multi-language and multi-currency markets, sellers need to ensure that they guide visitors to the appropriate localized store version for a better shopping experience. After enabling the automatic domain name redirection feature in the Shopify backend, the system will automatically guide visitors to URLs matching their language and geographical location. Sellers can now manually input translated URL handles to present different versions for customers in different languages. Sellers' products, collections, blogs, articles, and pages all support translated URL handles.

【Other Platforms】

1 eBay introduces dynamic bidding feature, automatic update of keyword biddingIn order to maintain the competitiveness of seller's premium advertising campaigns, eBay has added the dynamic bidding feature to manually created ad campaigns. When sellers choose to enable dynamic bidding in an ad campaign, the keyword bidding for that campaign will be automatically updated to the corresponding recommended bid, with daily updates.

2. Wish Merchant Promotion Platform Launches New Quick Function for Duplicating Promotions

Wish's "Merchant Promotion Platform" has launched a new quick function. Merchants can now add or remove all countries (regions) with one click when selecting the countries (regions) for promoting activities, making it easier for merchants to target most countries (regions) for promotions but exclude a few. If a merchant wants to create similar promotion activities, they only need to duplicate an existing promotion activity, then edit and submit it as a new promotion activity.

3. SHEIN Invests 10 Billion Yuan in Supply Chain Project

SHEIN has accelerated the investment in its 10 billion yuan supply chain project in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It has successfully bid for a first-phase project site in Guangzhou's Zengcheng District with a total investment of no less than 3.69 billion yuan. The project, located in Zhongxin Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou, is the first phase of SHEIN's Greater Bay Area supply chain, which will build and operate warehousing, shipping, and other order fulfillment businesses.

In addition, following the previously released "Rare Gravity" million-seller program, SHEIN has launched the national Industrial Belt "Going Global" plan, which aims to drive the development of more suppliers and platform sellers and provide integrated empowerment from production to sales and branding by penetrating the digital trade and the digital flexible supply chain throughout the industrial belt in 500 cities nationwide over the next three years.

SHEIN stated that it will continue to ramp up supply chain construction to provide a solid foundation for driving the development of more suppliers and platform sellers.

4. Temu continues to lead the UK shopping app download charts for five consecutive months

Data analysis platform data.ai has conducted a statistical analysis of the use of e-commerce applications in the UK, which shows that Temu has maintained its position as the champion of shopping app downloads in the UK for five consecutive months. The app's downloads in the UK have now exceeded 7.64 million. Moreover, in September of this year, the number of monthly active users of Temu in the UK rose to the third place, surpassing its competitor Shein. It is understood that Temu was officially launched in the UK in April of this year and has attracted tens of thousands of UK consumers in less than a year. (data.ai)

5. Allegro plans to expand to multiple European countries by 2024

Polish e-commerce platform Allegro plans to expand to several countries in Central and Eastern Europe by 2024, including Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary. The basis for Allegro's expansion is the acquisition of Mall Group in 2022.

6. Walmart is testing multiple AI functionalities to optimize user experience

According to an official announcement from Walmart, the company is testing new technologies and will soon launch several new features based on Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to make shopping easier for consumers.

Specifically, Walmart is using AI to improve search functionality. The new AI technology will better understand the contextual information provided by consumers, generating more relevant results and saving consumers' time.

Additionally, Walmart is utilizing AI to highlight product features, condensing large volumes of user reviews into concise summaries to help consumers make shopping decisions more efficiently. In addition, Walmart has also announced several other new features based on AI technology, such as voice shopping, AR tools, and virtual stores.

7. eBay Germany introduces multi-factor authentication to protect fund and data security

eBay Germany announced that it has introduced multi-factor authentication to protect sellers' account funds and sales data security. The platform recommends users to set up two-step verification. If two-step verification is not activated, the platform will require sellers to verify their identity in subsequent transactions. For example, sellers may be required to enter a password or provide a unique device ID.

8. eBay Small Business Report: 68% of respondents expect business growth in the next five years

eBay recently released the "2023 Small Business Report". This is eBay's second annual small business report which explores how small business sellers are conducting business and the key role eBay plays in supporting small business e-commerce. The report shows that eBay small business sellers exhibit a strong sense of optimism regarding the future global economic situation, with approximately 68% of respondents expecting their business on eBay to grow in the next five years, and 55% of sellers expecting overall business growth within the next 12 months.

9. Walmart extends holiday season return window until January 31, 2024

Walmart has announced an extension of the holiday season return window. Products purchased in Walmart physical stores or on the website between October 1 and December 31, 2023, can be returned by January 31, 2024. Exclusions include wireless phones, Walmart Protection Plans, AppleCare, precious metals, and certain luxury items. Walmart claims that adjusting the holiday return policy will help sellers increase sales and attract more repeat customers.

# Merchant Circle #

1. SHOPLINE POD Plug-in Introduces Four New Functions to Provide Personalized Choices for Merchants

SHOPLINE's "POD plug-in" for product customization, product options, and package functions has been upgraded with four new features to boost the peak season. These include a content material library, curved text options, advanced option logic customization, and custom printing designators. The content material library allows merchants to quickly apply materials to different products in the store through one-click linking. The curved text option helps merchants to curve text along a path. The advanced option logic customization allows merchants to associate diverse elements together. The custom printing size feature means that merchants are no longer limited to standard sizes, and can offer more personalized choices to customers.# Industry News

## 1. acoustical AI detection instrument and equipment manufacturer "Lianfeng Xunsheng" completes two rounds of financing

Established in 2018, "Lianfeng Xunsheng" completed two rounds of financing in 2018 and 2021 respectively. It is an acoustical AI detection instrument and equipment manufacturer with "machine audition" as its core, focusing on the research and design of environmental sound signal detection, recognition, acoustic AI monitoring instrument equipment, and related sound source positioning. Currently, it has released handheld acoustic detection instruments, acoustic devices such as sound vibration electronic sentinels, which are widely used in 20+ vertical application scenarios in fields such as power, industrial, coal mining, and security, serving 100+ industry customers. (36Kr)

## 2. Courtyard robot company "Laimo Technology" completes multimillion-dollar angel round of financing

Courtyard robot manufacturer "Laimo Technology" raised a multimillion-dollar angel round of financing at the beginning of the year, with NBT Capital (Necessary Bond Trust) as the investor. Prior to this, "Laimo" had received seed round investment from XBOTPARK Fund, founded by Professor Li Zexiang. This round of financing will be used for product mass production preparation, market deployment, and team expansion.

It is worth noting that "Laimo Technology" founder Gao Wangshu graduated from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, was a co-founder of Cloud Whale Intelligence, and later led the development of floor sweeping robot for the SharkNinja brand, responsible for the product shipment ranking second in North America. The founding team of "Laimo Technology" also includes core R&D personnel from NVIDIA, Huawei, and Tusimple, with the team having both civil robotics and core technology research and development and mass production experience in autonomous driving. (36Kr)

## 3. Industrial cross-border service platform "Greensun Industrial Products" secures multimillion-yuan angel round financing

Industrial cross-border supply chain service platform "Greensun Industrial Products" recently completed a multimillion-yuan angel round financing, with Extraordinary Capital acting as financial advisor.

"Greensun Industrial Products" was established in May 2020, headquartered in Nanjing. The company mainly provides industrial cross-border supply chain and engineering technical services, focusing on categories such as electromechanical, mechanical products, and industrial consumables, with a primary target market in emerging markets such as the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia. "Greensun Industrial Products" currently has a team of about fifty people, with the core team having experience in industrial engineering design, installation delivery, and international trade procurement and sales. (36Kr)

# Overseas Marketing

## 1. Meta plans to launch ad-free paid version of Instagram and Facebook

Meta Platforms plans to launch a $17 per month ad-free version of Facebook for PC and a $14 per month ad-free version of Instagram for mobile.

Reportedly, the platform recently proposed to the European Union that it will charge a monthly subscription fee if it doesn't agree to target personalized ads. This proposal is a strategy for Meta to circumvent EU regulations, which may restrict its ability to deliver personalized ads to users without their consent, endangering its main source of revenue.

## 2. Meta unveils new AI advertising tools, businesses may save 5 hours of work per week

Meta announced the launch of new generative AI advertising tools, including image format expansion, product background generation, and promotional copy optimization.

Previously, Meta had started small-scale testing of these tools in the "AI Sandbox" launched in May of this year. Data from Meta's survey shows that among the advertisers involved in the early testing, half of them expect generative AI to save businesses 5 hours or more per week. Major advertising and communication groups in France, such as Y&R Group and Media Monks, participated in the early testing. (36Kr)

## 3. Google: Adding social media page links to enterprise search results

In August this year, Google announced that it will provide the functionality to add social media page links to search results for some brands. Through this feature, search will also become a new traffic entry point for brand social media pages. Google recently announced that this feature will be available to all businesses.

## 4. Meta: Adding more redirect capabilities to Reels ads

Meta recently announced the addition of more capabilities to Facebook Reels ads. First, Collections Ads (boutique bar ads) have been added, allowing the display of product images like a carousel while browsing Reels videos, making it easier for viewers to switch to learn more about the products in the ads.

In addition, Meta has added new "left swipe" functionality to Facebook and Instagram Reels ads, allowing viewers to easily switch to gain more information about the products in the ads.

# Cross-Border Logistics

## 1. Amazon Global Logistics opens US import T86 clearance mode for qualified goods

Amazon Global Logistics (AGL), based on the U.S. Customs 321 regulation, has initiated the Type86 (T86) clearance mode for low-value goods from China to the US. For goods expected to arrive after October 2, 2023 (US time), AGL's customs clearance agents will use the T86 clearance mode for qualified goods. These types of goods will enjoy duty-free imports and experience more efficient clearance speeds (other relevant fees still apply). In addition, each importer is allowed to import goods with a total value not exceeding $800 per day.

## 2. Shopee Philippines to launch TatakPinoy program, offering free cross-border logistics

Shopee Philippines is set to launch the TatakPinoy International program, open to all Shopee sellers. The TatakPinoy International program promises to provide seamless cross-border logistics support for a shopping experience similar to the existing system, but with wider coverage.

Vincent Lee, head of Shopee Philippines, stated that harnessing the potential for technological change is key to driving long-term growth for Filipino sellers, and the program will first be opened to the Singapore and Malaysia markets.

Vincent Lee added that the program will enable sellers and brands to maintain a local sales experience, while also gaining access to a broader buyer base and higher order volume, expanding their consumer base to users in other Shopee markets.

## 3. DHL Express announces 5.9% freight rate increase

DHL Express has announced an increase in its global average prices, effective from January 1, 2024. The tariff standard for China's international time-limited dispatch services will be raised by 4.9%. The new prices apply to all customers, subject to contract permission.

# Industry Policy and Data

## 1. Brazil's e-commerce sales reached 80.4 billion reais in the first half of 2023

In the first half of 2023, affected by macroeconomic issues, Brazil's e-commerce revenue increased by 2% year-on-year. According to ABComm data, e-commerce sales in Brazil reached 80.4 billion reais (approximately 120 billion RMB) in the first half of the year.

Boosted by Black Friday and Christmas, e-commerce sales for 2023 are expected to reach 185.7 billion reais. The average online shopping expenditure for Brazilian consumers in 2022 was 460 reais, with order volume at 368.7 million. (Ebrun Cross-border)

## 2. General Administration of Customs: China's cross-border e-commerce import and export reached 1.7 trillion yuan in the first three quarters of 2023

At a press conference on the foreign trade situation, Lu Dalang, the director of the Statistical Analysis Department of the General Administration of Customs, reported that in the first three quarters, China's cross-border e-commerce import and export reached 1.7 trillion yuan, an increase of 14.4%. Out of this, exports reached 1.3 trillion yuan, an increase of 17.7%, and imports reached 0.4 trillion yuan, an increase of 5.3%.

## 3. Ministry of Commerce: Accelerating the construction of "Belt and Road e-commerce" cooperation pilot zones

At a press conference, Vice Minister of Commerce Guo Tingting revealed that China has already signed memorandums of bilateral e-commerce cooperation with 30 countries. Guo Tingting stated that the next step is to enhance trade and economic cooperation with co-building countries in the digital domain, using "Belt and Road e-commerce" as a focal point. On one hand, they will accelerate the construction of "Belt and Road e-commerce" cooperation pilot zones, exploring new initiatives and pathways for cooperation. On the other hand, efforts will be made to promote the development of new fields such as digital payments and smart logistics.

## 4. Scale of new formats such as cross-border e-commerce in China grew 11 times by the first eight months of 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels

Vice Minister of Commerce Guo Tingting stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that compared to the same period in 2019 before the pandemic, China's import and export volume and the number of foreign trade entities grew by over 30% in the first 8 months of this year. The proportion of exports to emerging markets increased by nearly 7%. The scale of new formats such as cross-border e-commerce grew by 11 times, with green new energy products becoming export highlights.

According to WTO statistics, global export value in the first half of the year decreased by 4.6% year-on-year, with China's market share reaching 14.2%, an increase of 0.4 percentage points from the same period last year.

## 5. 2023 holiday season online shopping forecast: US online sales to increase by 4.8% year-on-year

Recently, Adobe released the "2023 Holiday Season Online Shopping Forecast" based on its Analytics data, covering the period from November 1 to December 31, 2023.According to Adobe's forecast, the total online sales in the United States during the 2023 holiday shopping season (November 1 to December 31) will reach $221.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.8%. In the 2022 holiday season, U.S. consumers spent $211.7 billion online, an increase of 3.5% year-on-year.