1. Amazon Signs Agreement with TikTok

On August 12, Amazon announced a partnership agreement with TikTok and Pinterest, allowing users to purchase products from Amazon without leaving the social media app. TikTok users will see Amazon product recommendations in their "For You" feed. When ready to buy, they can link their TikTok account to their Amazon account with a one-time setup. Once linked, Amazon customers can complete their purchases directly within the TikTok app without leaving, and they can also see real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, delivery estimates, and product details in TikTok’s Amazon ads

Source: TikTok.com

2、TEMU's Semi-Fulfillment Service to Launch in Japan and South Korea

On August 12, it was reported that TEMU's semi-fulfillment service has been rapidly expanding over the past six months, opening markets in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Australia, France, Italy, and Spain. Soon, the service will also be available in Japan and South Korea. With the opening of these markets, in-stock sellers in Japan and South Korea will have new opportunities to launch best-selling products.

To ensure smooth operations in these markets, TEMU has set the following basic requirements for merchants: In-stock resources: Merchants must have stable in-stock resources in Japan and South Korea; Business qualifications: The platform supports businesses from mainland China and Hong Kong; Compliance: All products must meet the legal and regulatory requirements of Japan and South Korea; No category restrictions: Sellers can choose their categories flexibly based on their resources, provided they comply with local laws and regulations.

Source: Kuaitong News

3.Amazon Logistics’ 2024 Peak Season Delivery Fees to Take Effect Soon

On August 12, Amazon Logistics announced its peak season delivery fees for this year. From October 15, 2024, to January 14, 2025, peak season delivery fees will be charged for products sold through Amazon FBA in the U.S. and Canada, North American Remote Fulfillment, U.S. Multi-Channel Fulfillment, and Buy with Prime. Amazon reminded sellers that the 2024 peak season delivery fees will apply to all products; the average holiday season delivery fees will remain the same as last year, but items priced under $10 using Amazon FBA in the U.S. will be subject to new peak season fees. Compared to similar next-day delivery services offered by other major third-party logistics providers, FBA’s average fees remain 70% lower.

Source: Amazon

4.TikTok Shop to Implement Store Deposit Policy

On August 12, TikTok Shop announced that it has updated the entry requirements for merchants using the cross-border self-operation model in the U.S. region and will implement a store deposit policy on August 16, 2024. The store deposit policy applies to TikTok Shop cross-border self-operation merchants in the U.S. (for entities from mainland China and Hong Kong). The policy covers all new and existing merchants, with a deposit of $500 required for each store. If a merchant has multiple stores, a separate deposit must be paid for each one.

Source: TikTok Shop

5.AliExpress and Cainiao Upgrade Tax Prepayment Service in Three Latin American Countries

On August 12, it was reported that AliExpress, in partnership with Cainiao, has upgraded its "tax prepayment service" in Colombia, Chile, and Mexico. AliExpress consumers using the DDP service can pay taxes online in advance, reducing delivery times by an average of 5-8 days for upgraded service packages, further accelerating cross-border express deliveries in Latin America. Specifically, consumers shopping on AliExpress in the aforementioned countries can see the tax amount at checkout and pay it instantly online. Orders can clear customs before arriving in the destination country, improving fulfillment efficiency, boosting customer satisfaction, and increasing conversion rates.

Source: Modern Logistics News

6. Temu and Shein to Face Tariffs in This Region

On August 12, it was reported that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) will implement temporary tax changes for e-commerce companies like Shein and Temu starting September 1, 2024. SARS stated that amid the rapid expansion of e-commerce, it remains committed to providing clarity and certainty in enforcing measures that promote legitimate trade to support national economic development. The changes primarily target e-commerce in the apparel sector.

To address related issues, SARS made changes consistent with the World Customs Organization framework, specifying cases where shipments below the fully declared value threshold should be taxed, using simplified declarations, or facilitating clearance via manifest release followed by simplified clearance. High-value shipments that do not fall under the three categories, including those containing restricted goods, will be subject to standard release and clearance procedures, including payment of duties and taxes. SARS Commissioner Kieswetter recently revealed that tax loopholes exploited by international e-commerce players have caused an estimated ZAR 3.5 billion in fiscal losses.

Source: GoGlobal News

7. Shenzhen Airport Leads in Domestic Cargo Volume

On August 12, it was reported that as of mid-July, Shenzhen Airport's cargo volume reached 934,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of over 16%. Domestic cargo volume reached 464,000 tons, up over 11%, maintaining its leading position in China. With the rapid development of cross-border e-commerce in Shenzhen, the number of direct cargo flights and destinations from Shenzhen to overseas markets continues to increase. In the Middle East alone, there are now seven cargo destinations, with over 60 flights in and out weekly, handling more than 2,200 tons of cargo.

Since the beginning of the year, Shenzhen Airport has successfully attracted 13 airlines, including Qatar Airways and Lufthansa Cargo, to increase capacity in Shenzhen, adding three new international cargo routes and increasing the frequency of flights to 15 international cargo destinations. The airport now serves 38 international and regional cargo destinations, covering five continents and 25 countries and regions, aiming to achieve same-day delivery for domestic goods departing from Shenzhen and the fastest delivery within two days to major Asian cities and within three days to other major global cities. In the first half of the year, Shenzhen's air cargo cross-border e-commerce business volume increased by 68.5% year-on-year.

Source: China Business News

8、Ezhou Airport Ranks Among Top Five in China for Cargo Volume

On August 12, it was reported that with the GG9523 cargo flight fully loaded and departing from Ezhou Huahu Airport to Miami, USA, the airport's international cargo throughput exceeded 100,000 tons this year, with a total cargo throughput surpassing 500,000 tons. Ezhou Huahu Airport has now risen to the fifth position nationwide, following Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao'an, and Beijing Capital airports. Since the beginning of this year, Ezhou Huahu Airport has opened 51 domestic cargo routes and 24 international cargo routes, covering 46 domestic destinations and 27 international destinations. The airport now hosts 15 cargo airlines, gradually establishing a nationwide domestic route network and an international route network that extends to Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The "Air Silk Road" is transitioning from a "point-to-point connection" to a "network formation."

Source: China Civil Aviation Network

9、Hunan Changsha to Bangkok Cargo Route Resumes

 On August 12, it was reported that a Boeing 737 freighter fully loaded with 20 tons of imported fruit landed smoothly at Changsha Huanghua International Airport, marking the successful resumption of the Changsha-Bangkok cargo route. The route is operated by Thai K-Mile Air using a Boeing 737-800BCF freighter with a maximum capacity of approximately 20 tons. Initially, the route will operate twice a week, with plans to increase the frequency based on market demand. Exported goods will mainly include cross-border e-commerce products and electronic goods, while imports will consist primarily of fresh fruits such as durians, young coconuts, and mangosteens from Thailand. The resumption of this route will further expand Changsha Airport's "Belt and Road" air logistics corridor and enhance its logistics hub capabilities, with an expected annual increase of 5,000 tons in cargo and mail throughput.

Source: China News Service

10、Hong Kong Cargo Airlines to Add a New Cargo Route

 On August 12, it was announced that Hong Kong Cargo Airlines will add a new cargo route from Hong Kong to Oslo, starting on September 4, using Airbus A330-200 freighters. This move aims to capitalize on Asia's growing demand for seafood. In recent months, Hong Kong Cargo Airlines has been expanding its network, seeking to seize opportunities created by e-commerce. In March of this year, the airline launched a route to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; in February, it opened new routes to Liège, Belgium, and London Stansted Airport; and in October last year, it launched its first European cargo route to Milan Malpensa.

 Source: Global Air Cargo

11、MSC Upgrades Asia to Northern Europe Route Network

On August 12, MSC announced that it will upgrade its Asia-Northern Europe trade route network starting from week 32. The upgraded network aims to improve service quality, offer new port combinations, and address the ongoing challenges of European port congestion while continuing to provide competitive transit times for goods transported between Asia and Northern Europe. The route will no longer call at Le Havre but will add Yantian as a new stop. After the upgrade, it will take 35 days from Yantian to Felixstowe and 40 days from Yantian to Rotterdam. The maiden voyage was undertaken by the MSC VANDYA, which departed from Shanghai on August 5, 2024, with the voyage number 432. The port rotation is as follows: Shanghai - Ningbo - Xiamen - Yantian (new) - Tanjung Pelepas - Felixstowe - Rotterdam - Tangier - Hong Kong - Shanghai.

Source: MSC

12、MSC Launches a New Independent Route – CLANGA

On August 12, MSC announced the launch of a new independent route, CLANGA. This new route will provide competitive transit times for goods transported from Asia to the Middle East and will further strengthen trade connections between China, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia by calling at Dammam Port. Additionally, by directly connecting Dammam Port to Shanghai, the CLANGA route will offer unique and competitive services for Saudi Arabia's exports to the Far East. The CLANGA route service will commence operations in week 35. The port rotation is as follows: Shanghai – Ningbo – Shekou – Singapore – Dammam Port – Shanghai.

Source: MSC

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Official Account: Cross-border E-commerce Logistics Expert