Core Insights - In May 2025, China's exports of low-value small packages to the U.S. plummeted by 40% year-on-year, reaching $1.09 billion, marking the lowest level since early 2023 [1] - The cancellation of the T86 policy, which previously allowed Chinese direct mail packages to bypass tariff barriers, has resulted in a maximum tax rate of 54% on exports to the U.S. [1] - Despite the decline in U.S. exports, China's total global exports of direct mail packages increased by 40% year-on-year in May 2025, indicating a shift in market dynamics [1] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The T86 policy allowed over 1.3 billion goods to enter the U.S. in 2024, but its removal has significantly impacted the cost structure for Chinese exporters [1] - Major platforms like SHEIN and TEMU are adjusting their strategies, with SHEIN raising product prices and TEMU halting direct shipments to the U.S. [1] Group 2: Alternative Markets - In May, China's small package exports to Malaysia exceeded $700 million, making it the second-largest market, with Belgium and Hungary also emerging as alternative markets due to their customs efficiency and cost advantages [3] - The rise of the China-Europe Railway Express has provided shorter transport times and lower logistics costs for shipments to Belgium and Hungary [5] Group 3: Strategic Adjustments - Companies are restructuring logistics by pre-stocking goods in U.S. warehouses to avoid tariff costs and reduce delivery times to within three days [5] - There is a shift towards higher-margin products such as smart home devices and self-branded items, while also expanding B2B operations through platforms like Amazon and Alibaba [5] - Direct mail packages to Malaysia can benefit from regional free trade agreements to reduce tariffs, enhancing competitiveness in that market [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the adaptability and strategic foresight of Yang Shuxia, CEO of Zhejiang Zhongfa Import and Export Co., Ltd., in navigating the challenges of global trade and the evolving landscape of cross-border e-commerce, particularly focusing on emerging markets and innovative product offerings [2][4][6]. Group 1: Market Strategy - Yang Shuxia has diversified her business focus beyond North America to emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, reducing sensitivity to fluctuations in any single market [4]. - In 2024, imports and exports from Yiwu to Belt and Road countries accounted for 61.8%, with orders from the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa increasing by 25% year-on-year [4]. - The global trade landscape is expected to undergo significant changes by 2025, with Yiwu serving as a resilient trade hub for over 75,000 shops and 200,000 merchants [4]. Group 2: Business Evolution - Yang Shuxia's entrepreneurial journey began with the creation of the Japanese wedding dress brand "TIGLILY," which achieved monthly sales exceeding 1 million and annual sales surpassing 10 million [7]. - The transition to cross-border e-commerce was marked by a strategic pivot to TikTok's cross-border business, where the company quickly became a leading seller after the platform's UK launch in 2021 [8][10]. - The challenges faced in the early stages of TikTok's cross-border e-commerce led to a reevaluation of the business model, emphasizing the need for adaptability in a volatile market [10][11]. Group 3: Product Focus and Innovation - In 2024, the company shifted its focus to personal care small appliances, recognizing the higher average transaction value and technological attributes of these products [13]. - Approximately 80% of customers now come from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where Chinese electronic products are favored for their quality-to-price ratio [13]. - The company is leveraging AI and digital tools to enhance customer engagement and streamline operations, aiming to integrate online and offline sales channels [18][19]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The upcoming "Good Life Expo" aims to stimulate consumer activity and support quality brands, providing a platform for domestic companies to expand their market reach [21]. - The expo will feature a unique online-offline integration model, facilitating direct connections between quality product/service companies and domestic distribution channels [21].

Core Viewpoint - The rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce is facing significant challenges due to changing policies and market dynamics, leading to a shift from a focus on low prices to a need for brand differentiation and operational resilience [1][2][9]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Over the past two years, platforms like TEMU have disrupted the cross-border e-commerce landscape, leading to a decline in sales for many individual sellers who previously thrived on low-cost models [1][2]. - The cancellation of the "low-value exemption" policy by the U.S. in April 2025 has severely impacted Chinese cross-border e-commerce players, particularly those relying on direct shipping models [5][6][8]. - The introduction of new tariffs has forced platforms to adapt their business models, with many transitioning from full-service to semi-managed or local fulfillment strategies to maintain competitiveness [8][9][30]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment - Regulatory scrutiny has increased globally, with platforms like SHEIN and TEMU being designated as "super large online platforms" under the EU's Digital Services Act, indicating a tightening of oversight [4]. - In Southeast Asia, countries like Thailand and Indonesia have taken measures to ensure compliance from Chinese e-commerce platforms, reflecting a growing wariness of foreign competition [5][6]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The competitive landscape is intensifying, with major players like SHEIN and TikTok Shop also adopting new strategies to counter the rise of TEMU, which has quickly gained market share [20][22]. - TEMU's "full-service model" has attracted many sellers by minimizing entry barriers, but this has also led to concerns about sellers losing pricing power and market influence [22][24]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The cross-border e-commerce sector is expected to undergo a significant transformation, with a shift towards profitability and value-driven strategies rather than solely competing on price [32]. - The recent tariff adjustments have created a temporary window for increased shipping activity, as businesses rush to capitalize on lower costs before the next policy changes [27][28]. - The future of cross-border e-commerce will likely see a greater emphasis on brand building and product quality, as companies adapt to a more challenging regulatory and competitive environment [32].

编辑丨周智宇 图源丨Midjourney 过去十年，跨境电商草莽掘金，一夜暴富的神话，正在迅速退潮。 来源丨全天候科技（ID： iawtmt ） 作者丨 黄昱 王策（化名），一位在跨境浪潮中摸爬滚打了近八年的舵手，曾经动辄爆单、利润丰厚，日赚斗金， 然而如今他的店销量仅能勉强维持在高峰期的三分之一，全球开店的浪漫想象也已被现实的骨感击 碎。 过去两年多，TEMU携大量拼多多商家汹涌出海，分食了原本偏小众的跨境电商生意，美国在2025年 4月悍然取消中国商品的 "小额免税" 政策，又成为最后一根稻草，随后关税飙升，让那些高度依赖直 邮小包模式的中国玩家遭遇直接冲击。 不仅是个体商家，以TEMU为代表的跨境平台，也被迫从过去依赖免税小单、极致低价和高效供应 链，为海外消费者营造"像亿万富翁一样购物"的幻梦中惊醒。 随后的中美经贸会谈带来喘息之机，但政策的钟摆效应远未平息——欧盟对入境小包裹拟征费用的传 闻旋即又起。这清晰地昭示着，不确定性，已是跨境电商必须时刻面对的新常态。 对于高度依赖政策红利的跨境玩家而言，每一次风向变动，都挤压着本已微薄的利润空间，挑战着他 们的生存底线。 这不再是一个单凭勇气和低价就能制胜 ...

作者黄昱 编辑周智宇 过去十年，跨境电商草莽掘金，一夜暴富的神话，正在迅速退潮。 王策（化名），一位在跨境浪潮中摸爬滚打了近八年的舵手，曾经动辄爆单、利润丰厚，日赚斗金，然而如今他的店销量仅能勉强维持在高峰期的三分之一， 全球开店的浪漫想象也已被现实的骨感击碎。 过去两年多，TEMU携大量拼多多商家汹涌出海，分食了原本偏小众的跨境电商生意，美国在2025年4月悍然取消中国商品的 "小额免税" 政策，又成为最后一 根稻草， 随后关税飙升，让那些高度依赖直邮小包模式的中国玩家遭遇直接冲击。 不仅是个体商家，以TEMU为代表的跨境平台，也被迫从过去依赖免税小单、极致低价和高效供应链，为海外消费者营造"像亿万富翁一样购物"的幻梦中惊 醒。 随后的中美经贸会谈带来喘息之机，但政策的钟摆效应远未平息——欧盟对入境小包裹拟征费用的传闻旋即又起。这清晰地昭示着，不确定性，已是跨境电商 必须时刻面对的新常态。 对于高度依赖政策红利的跨境玩家而言，每一次风向变动，都挤压着本已微薄的利润空间，挑战着他们的生存底线。 这不再是一个单凭勇气和低价就能制胜的时代，那些躺着赚钱的日子，无疑画上了句号。 王策和TEMU也在行动。从不惜一切代 ...

Core Viewpoint - The rapid growth and profitability of cross-border e-commerce, particularly for Chinese platforms like TEMU, SHEIN, and TikTok Shop, is facing significant challenges due to changing regulations and increased tariffs, leading to a new era of competition and survival strategies in the industry [1][2][11]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The cancellation of the "low-value exemption" policy by the U.S. government has severely impacted Chinese cross-border e-commerce players, particularly those relying on direct shipping models [5][7][11]. - TEMU and other platforms are shifting from aggressive price wars to brand transformation and operational adjustments in response to the evolving market landscape [2][11]. - The cross-border e-commerce sector is experiencing a shake-up, with smaller players and those dependent on low-cost strategies likely to exit the market, while larger, more resilient companies may gain market share [33][34]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment - Regulatory scrutiny has increased globally, with platforms like SHEIN and TEMU being designated as "super large online platforms" under the EU's Digital Services Act, leading to tighter regulations [3][4]. - The U.S. has also implemented stricter customs policies, which have resulted in significant price increases for goods sold through platforms like Amazon and TEMU [8][9]. Group 3: Business Model Evolution - The introduction of the "full management model" by TEMU has attracted many merchants by reducing entry barriers, but it has also led to concerns about merchants losing pricing power and autonomy [25][28]. - A shift towards a "semi-management model" is emerging, allowing sellers more control over logistics and pricing while still benefiting from platform support [29][30]. - TEMU's recent adjustments, including the Y2 model that allows direct shipping from China to the U.S., aim to mitigate the impact of high tariffs while maintaining competitive pricing [35][36]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The cross-border e-commerce landscape is expected to transition from a focus on aggressive growth to a more sustainable, profit-oriented approach, emphasizing product quality and brand value [37][38]. - Companies must enhance their research and development efforts and shift from low-cost exports to high-value branding strategies to thrive in the new regulatory environment [38].

Core Viewpoint - Temu, a cross-border e-commerce platform under Pinduoduo, will cease direct sales of goods imported from China to U.S. customers, shifting to local sellers for U.S. market sales [1][3] Group 1: Business Model Changes - Temu will no longer allow U.S. consumers to purchase directly from China, instead offering products stored in U.S. warehouses [1] - The new model eliminates additional import duties and customs fees, helping Temu maintain competitive pricing [1][3] - Temu is actively recruiting U.S. local sellers to enhance its platform and expand business reach [1][3] Group 2: Regulatory Impact - The change was prompted by a new policy from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that ended the duty exemption for small packages from mainland China and Hong Kong, effective May 2 [1][3] - All goods imported from China must now go through formal customs procedures and pay full duties, with tariffs potentially reaching up to 145% [3] Group 3: Operational Adjustments - To ensure sufficient local inventory, Temu is accelerating the recruitment of U.S. sellers and has expanded its warehouse coverage from 15 to 40 cities [3][4] - Temu is investing in local operations by hiring talent from major U.S. e-commerce companies, offering salaries 40%-60% higher to attract executives [4] Group 4: Financial Performance and Market Pressure - Pinduoduo's revenue growth is slowing, with Q4 2024 revenue reported at 110.61 billion yuan, a 24% year-over-year increase, below market expectations [5] - Temu is projected to contribute over half of Pinduoduo's nearly 200 billion yuan commission revenue in 2024, but it is still unprofitable, with losses estimated at around $3.5 billion [5] - In response to market pressures, Temu significantly reduced its advertising spending in the U.S. in April, indicating a strategy to lower costs [5] Group 5: Industry Trends - Similar to Temu, SHEIN has announced price increases to cope with the new tariff pressures and is shifting production from China to other countries to avoid high tariffs [6] - The cross-border e-commerce sector is entering a more complex and competitive phase due to increased tariffs and the cancellation of duty exemptions, necessitating a balance between price competition and compliance costs [6]

Core Viewpoint - DHgate, a B2B online trading platform, has experienced a surge in popularity due to TikTok's viral marketing, but its growth may not be sustainable due to inherent business model challenges and market competition [2][13][19]. Group 1: Company Overview - DHgate was founded in 2004 and differentiates itself from Alibaba's international platform by allowing free seller registration and charging commissions based on transaction amounts [5][11]. - The platform has over 2.78 million registered suppliers and more than 100 million cumulative registered buyers, covering over 225 countries and regions [5][16]. - The founder, Wang Shutong, has a rich professional background, having worked at Microsoft and Cisco before starting DHgate [6][11]. Group 2: Recent Performance - DHgate's app saw a significant rise in rankings on the App Store, reaching second place overall and first in the shopping category by April 15, 2023, but subsequently fell out of the top 200 by May 1 [3][5]. - The app's downloads increased by 56% in a short period, with nearly half of the downloads coming from the U.S. market [15][16]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The recent surge in DHgate's popularity is attributed to rising consumer demand for affordable products amid inflation and increased tariffs on Chinese imports [15][19]. - The platform's growth was also supported by a significant increase in daily GMV, averaging around $40 million during a peak period [16]. Group 4: Challenges and Risks - Despite the initial success, DHgate faces challenges in user retention and product quality, with reports of negative reviews and potential infringement issues [19][22]. - The platform's business model primarily targets B2B transactions, which may limit its ability to sustain consumer interest and growth in a competitive market [19][23]. Group 5: Strategic Adjustments - DHgate is attempting to adapt by forming an ecosystem that includes DHgate (centralized platform), MyyShop (social e-commerce), and DHLink (logistics) to better serve small and micro businesses [25][26]. - The company is exploring partnerships with other cross-border e-commerce platforms to enhance its market presence and adapt to changing industry dynamics [24][26].