1. Multilateralization
Traditional international (regional) trade is mainly bilateral trade between two countries (regions). Even if there is multilateral trade, it is achieved through multiple bilateral trades and presents a linear structure. Cross-border e-commerce can achieve direct trade between other countries (regions) through the trading platform of country A (region), the payment and settlement platform of country B (region), and the logistics platform of country C (region). The information flow, business flow, logistics, and capital flow related to the trade process have gradually evolved from traditional bilateral to multilateral, presenting a network structure. This form of international trade is reconstructing the new world economic order.
2. Direct
Traditional international (regional) trade is mainly carried out by importers and exporters of one country (region) through the importers and exporters of another country (region) to import and export large quantities of goods, and then through the multi-level distribution of domestic circulation enterprises, and finally reach the hands of enterprises or consumers with import and export needs. There are many import and export links, long time, high cost, and low efficiency. Cross-border e-commerce can realize direct transactions between enterprises in multiple countries (regions) and between enterprises and end consumers through e-commerce transaction and service platforms, with fewer import/export links, shorter time, lower cost and higher efficiency.
3. Small batches
Cross-border e-commerce can realize direct transactions between enterprises in multiple countries (regions) and between enterprises and end 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 transactions.
4. High frequency
Cross-border e-commerce can realize direct transactions between enterprises in multiple countries (regions) and between enterprises and end 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, and it is instant on-demand procurement, sales or consumption, the number or frequency of transactions is higher than that of traditional trade.
5. Digitalization
Traditional international (inter-regional) trade is mainly physical product or service transactions. With the deepening application of information network technology, the categories and trade volume of digital products (software, film, television, games, etc.) have grown rapidly, and the trend of sales or consumption through cross-border e-commerce has become more obvious. However, a major challenge of “digitalization” is that the cross-border trade of digital products has not yet been included in the scope of effective supervision, trade volume statistics, and tariff collection by customs and other relevant government departments.