Complex current situation and risk analysis of cross-border e-commerce entry market
As the government strengthens supervision of cross-border e-commerce, the industry has different expectations for future direct mail policies. However, the policy adjustment obviously focuses on a two-pronged approach, with the goal of simultaneously strengthening the prevention and crackdown on “gray overseas shopping”. According to the “2016 Action Plan for Implementing the Quality Development Outline” issued by the State Council, it is clearly stated that it is necessary to strengthen the supervision of postal and express channels in cross-border online transactions and severely crack down on smuggling and infringement through e-commerce platforms or cross-border mail channels. .
The key is that practitioners should follow the formal cross-border “three orders and one-on-one” customs clearance model. The “customs clearance and tax-included” service provided by the forwarding company takes advantage of the probability of customs random inspection of personal packages, allowing some packages to be cleared when the policy is relaxed. However, under strict inspection, they may face the risk of seizure and heavy payment. Such irregular customs clearance methods should arouse caution.
Hong Kong, China, has attracted a large number of mainland consumers by virtue of its status as a free trade port. Except for some specific goods such as tobacco and alcohol that are subject to tax, most goods are not subject to tax restrictions when entering the port. Commodities such as electronic products and milk powder have become popular categories purchased by “Hong Kong Transfer” and “Shui Ke” agents due to their relatively low prices. Many professional “water merchants” frequently travel between Hong Kong and the mainland, making use of purchasing and shipping agents to earn the difference, and even spawned a certain tax avoidance industry.
In addition, regarding the purchasing of human flesh, import taxes must be paid on the portion exceeding the limit. If deliberately evaded, it may constitute smuggling, and the goods involved are called parallel imports. The existence of smuggling channels, such as through-train transportation to Shenzhen, allows goods to enter the mainland without paying taxes, increasing market risks.
Since the implementation of the “Free Travel to Hong Kong and Macao” ten years ago, mainland tourists’ shopping consumption in Hong Kong has increased by 5.3 times, and even supported one-third of Hong Kong’s retail industry in 2013. However, due to the convenience of “one visa, multiple entries” and the self-service E-Channel, the number of water passengers traveling back and forth has intensified, and the smuggling phenomenon has become more serious. Shuike brought the items into pieces by “cutting them into parts” and re-sold them in the mainland, thus affecting the normal consumption of local residents in Hong Kong. There are even purchase restriction policies to deal with supply shortages.
In the current industry context, although the tourism industry in Hong Kong, China, is cooling down and physical stores are facing a decline, the phenomenon of “parallel importers” has shown that mainland consumers still have strong demand for cross-border e-commerce products. This demand reflects that there are still huge market opportunities for online sales.
Legitimate import channels often face challenges due to insufficient timeliness or excessive costs. Some goods need to pay taxes of up to 40% or more when imported through formal channels, and the registration and commodity inspection process for food, milk powder and cosmetics is even more complicated. lengthy. This has led some importers to take desperate risks in pursuit of profits and choose to enter the market through underground smuggling. However, this move is not only seriously illegal, but may also lead to the risk of “black and white”. Therefore, ensuring legality and safety has become an urgent issue for importers to consider.