Analysis of Pain Points in Cross-Border E-Commerce

What Are the Difficulties in Cross-border E-commerce?

With the acceleration of globalization and the development of internet technology, cross-border e-commerce has become an important part of international trade. More and more enterprises and individuals are entering this field, attempting to expand their international markets through online platforms. However, on this land full of opportunities, there are also many challenges and difficulties hidden. This article will discuss the difficulties faced by cross-border e-commerce from multiple angles based on relevant news reports.

Firstly, language barriers are a major challenge that cannot be ignored in cross-border e-commerce. Although English, as an international lingua franca, alleviates communication problems to some extent, there are still many local languages in different countries and regions. For example, according to a 2025 report on the cross-border e-commerce industry, the demand for niche languages such as Indonesian and Thai in the Southeast Asian market is rising year by year. For merchants, how to accurately translate product descriptions, customer service, and marketing copy becomes a major challenge. Cultural differences also affect consumers' purchasing decisions. For instance, certain countries have specific cultural taboos regarding certain colors or patterns. If these details are not fully understood, it may lead to unsold goods or even unnecessary disputes.

Secondly, the complexity of the logistics system is also one of the key factors constraining the development of cross-border trade. In recent years, with the rise of domestic logistics companies like Cainiao Network and SF Express International, China's cross-border e-commerce logistics services have seen significant improvements. However, compared with domestic express delivery services, international transportation still faces problems such as slow delivery times, high costs, and cumbersome customs clearance procedures. During peak holiday seasons, package backlog phenomena are common. During this year's Double Eleven period, Amazon experienced delivery delays due to a surge in orders. In response, industry insiders suggest that companies should plan their supply chain layouts in advance and establish cooperative relationships with multiple logistics companies to cope with emergencies.

Moreover, the security and convenience of the payment process also test the capabilities of cross-border sellers. Currently, mainstream cross-border payment tools include PayPal, Stripe, and local bank transfers. However, due to different financial regulatory policies in various countries, users in some regions may not be able to use the aforementioned services normally. Additionally, economic losses caused by exchange rate fluctuations cannot be overlooked. According to foreign media reports, the recent inflation in the Eurozone has led to a continuous decline in the euro-to-dollar exchange rate, which has put considerable pressure on Chinese exporters who mainly settle in US dollars. Establishing a sound risk control mechanism and choosing appropriate currency settlement methods are particularly important.

In addition, weak awareness of intellectual property protection is another pressing issue currently facing the cross-border e-commerce industry. In recent years, with the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard goods, many well-known brands have stepped up their anti-counterfeiting efforts. At the end of last year, Alibaba successfully dismantled a transnational counterfeiting gang in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from multiple countries, with a case value reaching tens of millions of RMB. This case not only demonstrates the determination of e-commerce platforms to maintain a fair competitive environment but also serves as a reminder for merchants to focus on original designs and avoid infringing behaviors.

In summary, although cross-border e-commerce provides a broad stage for small and medium-sized enterprises, the risks lurking behind it cannot be taken lightly. Faced with increasingly fierce market competition, practitioners need to continuously improve their professional levels and actively embrace new technologies and trends to stand firm in this blue ocean. As a responsible person of a well-known cross-border e-commerce platform once said Only by constantly innovating can we survive in the unpredictable market environment. In the future, we look forward to seeing more outstanding Chinese enterprises go global with high-quality products and excellent service concepts, winning the favor of more consumers.