Cross-Border E-Commerce Weekly: AliExpress Teams Up with Tmall; Walmart Opens AI Agent Shopping; eBay Announces Another Round of Global Layoffs

Platform Moves

Amazon

1. Amazon Europe to Raise Fuel and Logistics Surcharge to 2%

As the peak season approaches, Amazon has announced that it will raise the fuel and logistics surcharge from 1.5% to 2% across multiple European marketplaces. The surcharge applies to FBA orders starting November 2, covering the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Belgium; for Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) orders, it takes effect November 19, covering the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. The surcharge is calculated on fulfillment fees, not on product selling prices.

2. Amazon Opens Sixth Global Consolidation Warehouse in Tianjin

Amazon's Global Cross-Border Warehouse (GXD) has landed in the Tianjin Dongjiang Comprehensive Bonded Zone, marking its sixth global consolidation warehouse in China and the first in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The Tianjin warehouse provides consolidation, quality inspection, and labeling services for FBA sellers, and goods can be shipped from Tianjin Port via Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) to FBA warehouses in Europe and the US. Since trial operations began in July this year, the warehouse's cargo sources have covered Tianjin, Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, and other regions.

3. Amazon Raises Prime Membership Fees in Australia

Amazon has raised Prime membership prices in Australia, with the monthly fee increasing from AUD 9.99 to AUD 12.99 and the annual fee from AUD 79 to AUD 99. New members are already subject to the new pricing, while existing members will see the new rates applied upon their first renewal on or after November 25. Amazon said the price increase is related to delivery network expansion and content investments such as Prime Video, with the scope of membership benefits remaining unchanged. This is Amazon's second Prime membership price increase since entering the Australian market in 2018.

TikTok Shop

1. TikTok Shop Southeast Asia Updates After-Sales Policy with 7-Day Appeal Window

TikTok Shop Southeast Asia cross-border and local stores have updated their Return and Refund Policy, with the new rules taking effect on October 27. For first-round refund requests already approved by the platform, sellers must file appeals within 7 calendar days; appeals filed after the deadline will not be accepted. The platform has also adjusted evidence requirements for packing and unboxing videos. In cases involving returned items that do not match, missing parts, or damaged goods, sellers must submit continuous, clear video materials as required.

2. TikTok Shop Poland Cuts Some Commissions; New Sellers Get 2% Rate for First 90 Days

TikTok Shop has lowered sales commissions for certain product categories on its Poland site. Newly onboarded sellers can enjoy a 2% commission rate for their first 90 days, while active sellers in certain key categories will see rates drop to 5%. Among them, categories such as food and beverages, books, magazines, and audio products will be reduced from 9% to 5%, and some electronics and home appliances from 7% to 5%. Delivery fees and costs for creator affiliate marketing run by merchants are calculated separately.

3. TikTok Shop US Fall Sale: Cross-Border POP Average Daily GMV Up Nearly 2x

TikTok Shop released results for its US fall sale, with average daily GMV for cross-border self-operated (POP) sellers growing nearly 2x compared to last year's fall sale, setting new single-day sales records twice. Livestream GMV grew more than 3x year-over-year, while short-video sales increased 1.8x. Fully managed average daily GMV grew more than 1.3x, and sales of overseas warehouse products increased nearly 1.5x compared to before the event.

Alibaba

1. AliExpress and Tmall Launch "China Brand Global Growth Plan"

AliExpress and Tmall jointly launched the "China Brand Global Growth Plan," providing integrated domestic and overseas operational support for top Tmall brands, AI hardware brands, and factory brands. AliExpress also set a target of 50% annual growth in both the number of brands and brand GMV over the next three years. According to platform disclosures, brand business currently accounts for about one-quarter of AliExpress's overall scale, and over 1,100 brands have achieved more than $1 million in sales over the past year.

2. AliExpress and YouTube Expand Shopping Affiliate Partnership to Four Countries

AliExpress has entered a global strategic partnership with YouTube, expanding their shopping affiliate cooperation to the UK, Germany, Brazil, and the US. Eligible creators can link products in videos, Shorts, and livestreams; consumers who click through are redirected to AliExpress to complete purchases, and creators earn commissions on qualifying sales. Partner products span consumer electronics, sports and outdoor, and home categories.

3. AliExpress Sets Double 11 Launch for November 1; Top Merchants Can Get Up to 12% Commission Rebate

AliExpress announced its overseas Double 11 schedule: warm-up begins October 29, official sales run from November 1 to 18, followed by the Black Friday period from November 19 through December 3. Top merchants can receive up to a 12% commission rebate incentive, and platform coupon investment will increase 20% compared to last year's Double 11. In addition, AliExpress plans to organize creator collaborations covering 45 countries for influencer and livestream partnerships, providing off-platform promotional support for merchants.

4. Taobao to Invest Over RMB 100 Million in Singapore Marketing for Double 11

Taobao will invest more than RMB 100 million in Singapore this Double 11 for consumer subsidies, free-shipping logistics, and offline advertising, with offline ad spending double that of the same period last year. The platform is also upgrading local shopping services, adding AI features such as virtual try-on and furniture placement previews, and providing large furniture delivery, package tracking, and related compensation services. According to Taobao, its Singapore GMV achieved double-digit growth during each of the past two Double 11 periods.

Temu

1. Temu and IACC Expand IP Protection Cooperation

Temu and the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) launched a dedicated IP protection program, providing an escalation channel for complex infringement cases involving IACC member brands. Brands can submit keywords, images, and other information to help the platform proactively identify potentially infringing products; cases escalated through the program will receive a response within 48 hours. The platform's existing complaint channel for all rights holders remains available.

2. Temu Reaches $3 Million Settlement with Texas

Temu has reached a settlement with the US state of Texas over allegations concerning data privacy and product safety, agreeing to pay $3 million and to adjust its data management and product safety review mechanisms. Under the agreement, Texas consumers' personal data must be stored on servers located in the US and owned and controlled by US parties; the platform must also conduct annual independent product safety testing, remove products confirmed to contain harmful substances, terminate the operations of involved sellers and their affiliated stores, notify affected Texas consumers, and provide full refunds. Temu did not admit to any wrongdoing.

SHEIN

1. SHEIN Middle East Third-Party Platform Signs Over 600 Sellers

Ten months after launching its third-party platform business in the Middle East, SHEIN has signed more than 600 sellers. The platform has also partnered with two e-commerce technology companies, Unicommerce and Increff, to add order management, warehouse automation, inventory tracking, and cross-channel inventory synchronization capabilities. Unicommerce's video management system can record packing and return processes, while Increff handles cross-channel inventory synchronization.

2. SHEIN Partners with DiDi in Mexico to Introduce Buy Now, Pay Later

SHEIN has officially partnered with DiDi to integrate the DiDi Paga Después service into the payment page of SHEIN Mexico. Through this partnership, SHEIN has formally introduced the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) model. This credit-based payment solution is gaining popularity among a growing number of Mexican consumers. With the launch of this service, SHEIN has further enriched its payment method mix in the Mexican market.

More

1. Shopee Singapore Shortens Payout Cycle for Some Mall Orders to 3 Days

Shopee's Singapore local site has adjusted payout arrangements for mall sellers. Starting October 19, for eligible orders fulfilled through platform-supported logistics partners, the escrow payout cycle will be shortened from 7 days to 3 days. Actual receipt may still be affected by factors such as refunds and returns, fee confirmation, and security reviews; sellers can check the estimated payout date on the "My Income" page.

2. Shopee Philippines to Add 12% VAT on Ad Credit Top-Ups

Shopee Philippines has announced that starting November 1, a 12% VAT will be levied on ad credit top-ups, applicable equally to cross-border and local stores. The tax is calculated based on the top-up amount. For example, topping up PHP 100,000 in ad credits will incur an additional PHP 12,000 in tax.

3. Walmart Opens AI Agent Shopping Gateway; Users Can Set Spending Limits

Walmart has launched Agent Gateway, shopping infrastructure designed for AI agents, and plans to roll out Agent Profiles in November. Consumers can authorize AI agents to shop on their behalf, set spending limits, or require per-order confirmation, as well as view agent orders separately and revoke authorization at any time. Agent Gateway is currently in testing; approved agents can connect to Walmart and Sam's Club product and transaction systems through this gateway.

4. eBay Plans to Cut About 9% of Workforce

eBay has confirmed a new round of layoffs affecting about 9% of its global workforce. Based on the company's roughly 12,300 employees at the end of 2025, about 1,100 people will be affected. This is eBay's second major layoff this year, following the elimination of about 800 positions in February. The company said the adjustment aims to simplify operations and focus resources on key growth businesses.

5. Mercado Libre Opens Argentina Local Store Onboarding with Chinese Account Manager Support

Mercado Libre has opened onboarding for local stores in Argentina and is providing official Chinese-speaking account manager support for eligible sellers. This opening is for the local store operating channel; sellers must prepare entity and operational qualifications in accordance with local business requirements. Currently, Mercado Libre offers multiple operating models including overseas warehouses, self-fulfillment, transit warehouses, managed services, and local stores.

Cross-Border Service Provider News

1. Best Express Cross-Border Cargo Domestic Pickup Volume Up Nearly 10x Year-over-Year

Best Express disclosed that its domestic pickup volume for cross-border cargo increased nearly 10x year-over-year. Relying on its national express network, the company consolidates cargo from various locations for transfer to cross-border consolidation warehouses, and has set up cross-border receiving windows at 59 sorting centers nationwide. This business mainly handles the domestic leg of cross-border transportation, connecting with subsequent international transport and overseas fulfillment.

2. TÜV Rheinland and TAPA APAC Partner on Overseas Supply Chain Compliance Services

TÜV Rheinland Greater China and the Shanghai Representative Office of the Transnational Asset Protection Association Asia-Pacific (TAPA APAC) signed a strategic cooperation memorandum. The two parties will collaborate in areas including cross-border risk management, logistics security, legal compliance, and ESG, and jointly develop service solutions for companies expanding overseas, covering supply chain inspection, risk management, and international market product conformity.

Trade Policy and Data

1. Cross-Border E-Commerce Imports and Exports Total RMB 2.18 Trillion in First Three Quarters

Lü Daliang, spokesperson for the General Administration of Customs, said at a State Council Information Office press conference that according to preliminary customs estimates, China's cross-border e-commerce imports and exports totaled about RMB 2.18 trillion in the first three quarters of 2026, up 4.4% year-over-year. Exports were about RMB 1.75 trillion, up 4.6%, while imports were about RMB 434.05 billion, up 3.3%. Customs will also fully replicate and promote the "inspect first, then load" regulatory model and broaden international road and rail intermodal channels to support cross-border e-commerce exports.

2. CICC Expects Latin America E-Commerce to Reach $310 Billion by 2027

CICC released a report on Latin America's digital economy, projecting that the region's e-commerce market will grow from $205 billion in 2025 to about $310 billion in 2027, a compound annual growth rate of 22.9%. Citing eMarketer data, the report expects e-commerce penetration to rise from about 12% to 14% over the same period. CICC estimates that Mercado Libre's market share in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina will be approximately 37%, 29%, and 73%, respectively, in 2025.

This article was first published on the official Ebrun website.