Cross-Border E-commerce Keeps Growing Despite Tariffs

Updated October 2026.

Trade rules have shifted since 2025 but cross-border selling keeps growing. China's customs data gives one of the clearest official signals. China's cross-border e-commerce imports and exports reached 2.84 trillion yuan in 2025. That was about 418 billion US dollars and up 4.8 percent from the year before. In the first half of 2026 about 140 million people in China bought through cross-border platforms.

Estimates differ Global market forecasts vary a lot. One analysis says cross-border e-commerce passed US$1 trillion in 2024. Other sources give higher figures for 2026 because they count different things. We suggest you treat headline numbers with care and check the original study.

What sellers are doing Industry reports describe three shifts. Sellers show the full landed cost at checkout so customers see duties and taxes up front. More brands hold stock in overseas warehouses to cut delivery times. Many also set up a local legal entity in the market they sell to.

Why this matters for you A local company can simplify tax and customs and payments. A trademark filed in each market protects your brand before copycats arrive. Both are services we can help with. The country pages show company registration and trademark filing options for each destination.

Sources: China customs data reported by the Henan provincial government (English site) on July 22, 2026. Industry commentary from Tyn Magazine and FlavorCloud.