Analysis of the concept and main characteristics of cross-border e-commerce logistics

Cross-border e-commerce logistics is a logistics system that has gradually formed with the vigorous development of cross-border e-commerce. It mainly refers to transaction entities in different countries or regions that use cross-border logistics to deliver goods to consumers after completing transactions and completing payments through e-commerce platforms. This logistics activity is not only the support of e-commerce transactions, but also a key link. It greatly affects consumer satisfaction and the smooth completion of e-commerce transactions.

Characteristics of cross-border e-commerce logistics

Although cross-border e-commerce logistics has made certain progress, compared with developed countries, my country still has many problems in infrastructure construction and logistics operation efficiency. Here are some notable features:

1. Long delivery time and low efficiency
   Cross-border e-commerce logistics needs to go through many links, including domestic logistics at the place of origin, customs inspection and quarantine, customs commodity inspection in the destination country, etc. These uncontrollable factors make the logistics process lengthy. For example, the world’s mature e-commerce platforms such as eBay generally have delivery times of 7 to 12 days for international parcels, while the delivery commitments of most merchants in my country are as long as three months, which greatly reduces consumers’ patience. It also restricts the development of cross-border e-commerce.

2. Difficulty tracking the entire package
   In domestic e-commerce logistics, full tracking has become a basic service, but in cross-border e-commerce logistics, this service is basically impossible to achieve. The lack of full tracking is mainly due to the gap in informatization level between my country’s logistics systems and other countries’, as well as the lack of corresponding information sharing networks. At present, most of the countries that can provide package tracking are developed countries in e-commerce logistics such as Europe and the United States, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

3. Extensive transport area
   The regional distribution of cross-border e-commerce logistics and transportation has become increasingly widespread with the development of globalization, gradually forming a logistics network from China to global consumers. This trend not only satisfies overseas consumers’ demand for Chinese goods, but also continuously promotes the globalization of my country’s cross-border logistics.

4. Small parcels
   The main service targets of cross-border e-commerce are individual consumers and companies that purchase small quantities. Therefore, compared with traditional import and export trade, the scale of parcels involved in cross-border e-commerce logistics is generally smaller. This small-scale feature makes logistics operations more flexible, but also means that frequent transactions will increase the overall cost of transportation.

5. Increased transportation frequency
   Since cross-border e-commerce allows consumers to conduct transactions anytime and anywhere, the frequency of transactions has increased significantly. This ability to place orders at any time means that cross-border e-commerce logistics need to be shipped more frequently, further pushing up transportation costs.

To sum up, while cross-border e-commerce logistics promotes the development of global trade, it also faces a series of problems that need to be solved urgently. Improving logistics efficiency and tracking capabilities will be the key to promoting the sustainable development of cross-border e-commerce.