1. Amazon launches new feature ShipTrack to enhance logistics tracking transparency

On November 17th, Amazon introduced a new feature called ShipTrack to improve transparency in cross-border logistics tracking. ShipTrack is a new option for sellers' inbound logistics, where carriers automatically provide sellers with Amazon Fulfillment (FBA) shipment tracking codes once the carriers deliver products to Amazon's fulfillment centers. These tracking IDs are then displayed on the sellers' "Shipment Overview" page on the platform.

Source: Amazon Global Selling

2. Alibaba considers acquiring a major South Korean e-commerce giant

On November 17th, Alibaba is reportedly seeking to acquire a major online retail platform in South Korea to reshape the country's e-commerce market.

Sources state that Alibaba is considering acquiring 11Street, a platform owned by SK Square Co., and has been in negotiations with investors of South Korean e-commerce platforms such as TMON Inc., W Concept Co., and Ably Corp. for several months. Alibaba's goal is to reshape the rapidly growing South Korean e-commerce market through mergers and acquisitions.

As of mid-September, Alibaba has been pushing for the acquisition of 11Street, the e-commerce platform under SK Group's investment arm SK Square. Currently, Alibaba has proposed that SK Group retain a 20-30% stake in 11Street and jointly manage this South Korean online shopping platform.

Source: Cross-Border Southeast Asia

3. TikTok plans substantial investment in logistics, establishing warehouses and fulfillment operations network

On November 17th, TikTok plans to make significant investments in logistics, aiming to leverage its large streaming audience into a significant share of the US e-commerce market.

It is understood that TikTok is building a warehouse and fulfillment operations network to manage inventory more efficiently and deliver goods for independent TikTok merchants. TikTok chooses to outsource its logistics operations and is in negotiations with logistics providers such as ShipBob and Newegg to store inventory and pick, pack, and ship online orders. These companies will then deliver packages to private delivery networks for final delivery.

Source: Meigou Cross-Border Information

4. Amazon integrates ReturnGo platform

On November 17th, Amazon integrated the ReturnGo returns platform with its multi-channel fulfillment services. This enables third-party sellers to automate and streamline reverse logistics more effectively.

ReturnGo is a platform that handles over 250,000 returns, providing customers with return and exchange portals embedded within sellers' stores. The platform can connect with any carrier or shipping aggregator used by the shipper and has a growing network of warehouses and drop-off points. Multi-channel fulfillment services offer sellers fulfillment and delivery services for orders outside of the Amazon marketplace. Utilizing ReturnGo will help sellers provide a simple and user-friendly automated return experience.

Source: Zhimei Tong Overseas Warehouse

5. SHEIN's revenue for the first three quarters of this year reached $24 billion

 marking a growth of over 40%, according to sources cited by the foreign media outlet The Information. If this growth rate continues, SHEIN is likely to achieve its goal of a 40% increase in annual sales for 2023, with year-end revenue expected to reach $32-33 billion. This surpasses SHEIN's total revenue of $22.7 billion for the entire previous year. Additionally, SHEIN achieved a gross merchandise volume (GMV) of $29 billion in 2022, surpassing the annual sales of the single-brand ZARA.

Source: The Information

6. USPS announces financial performance for fiscal year 2023: Revenue of $78.2 billion, net loss of $6.5 billion

On November 17th, USPS disclosed its financial performance for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2023. The net loss amounted to $6.5 billion, compared to a net profit of $56 billion in the same period last year. Total annual operating revenue was $78.2 billion, a decrease of 0.4% compared to the previous year.

Total operating expenses for the year were $85.4 billion, an increase of $5.8 billion compared to the previous year, representing a 7.3% increase. Adjusted operating expenses on a non-GAAP basis increased by $2.1 billion compared to the previous year, or 2.6%. Controllable losses amounted to $2.3 billion on a non-GAAP basis, compared to $473 million in controllable losses last year.

Source: E-commerce News

7. Successful inaugural flight of MSC's scheduled air cargo route from Hong Kong to Dallas

On November 17th, MSC's first commercial scheduled air cargo route in the Asia-Pacific region, HKG-DFW (Hong Kong to Dallas), successfully completed its inaugural flight.

To meet market demand, MSC has launched the HKG-DFW route, with regular flights connecting China and the United States. Dallas, located in the northern region of Texas, is a major core of the largest metropolitan area in the southern United States and the largest inland metropolitan area in the country.

Since January 2023, MSC's air cargo business has operated five flights per week from China to the United States and Mexico, with two flights per week from HKG to DFW starting in November. In addition, the company is in the process of acquiring the Italian airline AlisCargo Airlines to expand its global air transport network.

Source: MSC Mediterranean Shipping

8. Successful inaugural flight of international all-cargo route from Ordos to Moscow

On November 17th, a Boeing 747-300F all-cargo aircraft operated by Belavia successfully took off from Ordos Airport in Inner Mongolia and flew to the Russian capital, Moscow, marking the official opening of the first cargo route from Ordos Airport to Russia and the first export cargo route. The aircraft carried approximately 100 tons of machinery, electronic components, and other products with a cargo value of approximately $3.5 million.

After the official opening of the route, it is planned to operate two flights per week, with an average cargo volume of about 100 tons per flight and a daily round-trip capacity of up to 200 tons. Export goods mainly include machinery and electronic products, while imports mainly consist of dried fruits, fresh and frozen aquatic products, and edible aquatic animals from Russia and Central Asia.

Source: Civil Aviation Resources Network

9. National Bureau of Statistics: Total value of goods imports and exports in October increased by 0.9% year-on-year

On November 17th, the National Bureau of Statistics released data showing that the total value of goods imports and exports in October was 3.5417 trillion yuan, an increase of 0.9% year-on-year, with exports reaching 1.9736 trillion yuan. For the period from January to October, the total value of goods imports and exports was 34.3199 trillion yuan, an increase of 0.03% year-on-year, with exports totaling 19.5543 trillion yuan, up 0.4% year-on-year. During the January-October period, the year-on-year growth of general trade imports and exports was 1.8%, accounting for 64.9% of the total value of imports and exports, an increase of 1.1 percentage points over the same period last year. Imports and exports by private enterprises increased by 6.2%, accounting for 53.1% of the total value of imports and exports, an increase of 3.1 percentage points over the same period last year.

Source: Economic Daily

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Cross-border E-commerce Logistics Bai Xiaosheng"