With the continuous development of science and technology, the operation mode of international trade has also undergone profound changes. Compared with traditional international trade, cross-border e-commerce presents four new characteristics.
(I) Multilateralization and network structure
Traditional international trade is mainly manifested as bilateral trade between two countries. Even if there is multilateral trade, it is achieved through multiple bilateral trades and presents a linear structure. Cross-border e-commerce can realize direct trade with other countries (regions) through a country’s trading platform. The information flow, business flow, logistics, and capital flow related to the trade process have gradually evolved from the traditional bilateral to the multilateral direction, presenting a network structure. This feature enables cross-border e-commerce to reconstruct a new world economic order.
(II) Directness and high efficiency
Traditional international trade is mainly carried out by importers/exporters of one country through importers/importers of another country, and then through domestic circulation enterprises through multi-level distribution, and finally reach enterprises or consumers with import/export needs. Usually, there are many links, long time, and high cost. Cross-border e-commerce can change the value chain pattern. Under the cross-border e-commerce model, the traditional international trade supply chain is flatter, some important intermediate links in traditional trade are weakened or even replaced, and the intermediate costs of the original traders, wholesalers, and foreign importers are squeezed or even completely eliminated. This part of the cost is transferred to a large extent and becomes the profit of the manufacturer, and the other part becomes the price discount obtained by consumers. The proportion of the cost of international trade in the product price is greatly reduced.
(III) Small batch and high frequency
Cross-border e-commerce realizes direct transactions between multinational enterprises and between enterprises and final consumers through e-commerce transaction and service platforms. Since it is a transaction between individual enterprises or between a single enterprise and a single consumer, compared with traditional trade, most of them are small batches or even single items. Moreover, it is generally instant on-demand procurement, sales and consumption. Compared with traditional trade, the number and frequency of transactions are high.
(IV) Networking and digitization
Networking and digitization refer to the fact that international trade is increasingly carried out with the help of network digital information technology, including the use of electronic platforms and paperless operation methods to transmit various information and complete relevant links in trade. With the development of the global Internet, e-commerce, modern logistics and payment methods, with the help of cross-border e-commerce platforms, enterprises have smoother channels to go overseas, more flexible marketing methods, and more convenient cross-border trade. The professional services provided by cross-border e-commerce platforms can replace the role of professionals in trade, finance, foreign languages, etc. in traditional trade, making the complicated international trade in the past simple and transparent. These can greatly reduce the threshold for enterprises to enter international trade and the import and export costs, which will help enterprises grow rapidly.