Translator：Wang Yichun

In the shadow of the pandemic, cross-border e-commerce has surged as a beacon of growth. Recent data reveals a 28.6% year-on-year growth in China's cross-border e-commerce trade volume for the first half of 2022, marking a tenfold increase over five years. With the recent expansion in November, China now boasts 165 cross-border e-commerce pilot zones. As online transactions soar, the industry grapples with intensified competition and escalating compliance challenges. Major e-commerce platforms are rapidly expanding overseas, independent site operations are gaining traction, and the Southeast Asian e-commerce market is flourishing. Conversely, the surge in Amazon store closures and recurring intellectual property disputes in the US underscore the paramount importance of regulatory compliance.

On December 28, 2022, the 2023 Cross-Border E-commerce Compliance New Trends Forum, orchestrated by Shanghai Landing Law Offices and co-hosted by Seller's Home and Payoneer, was triumphantly conducted. Esteemed guests, including Liu Yixing, Director of Shanghai Landing Law Offices, Senior Partners Li Xinli, Feng Haibin, Huang Runsheng, Senior Associate Zhao Tianjiao, and Regional Business Director Bruce from Payoneer, graced the forum with their insights. Professionals, cross-border e-commerce enterprises, and service institutions also engaged online, delving deep into the multifaceted challenges and prospects of cross-border e-commerce compliance for 2023. Regarding the numerous compliance issues in the cross-border e-commerce industry for 2023, participants offered in-depth analyses and forecasts from diverse viewpoints, encompassing industry, technology, and legal perspectives.

The conference, inaugurated by Li Xinli, Senior Partner from Landing, emphasized the resilience of the cross-border e-commerce sector amidst pandemic-induced industry disruptions. The forum served as a platform to explore and share insights on legal services and industry trends in this evolving landscape.

In his keynote, Director Liu Yixing accentuated China's dominant stance in cross-border e-commerce, envisioning a vast untapped potential. However, the intricate interplay of international legalities and geopolitics presents formidable challenges, demanding unparalleled expertise from both the e-commerce and legal sectors, making this forum by Landing profoundly significant.

(Li Xinli, Senior Partner at Landing)

Following the inaugural address, a strategic collaboration agreement was signed between Shanghai Landing Law Offices and Shanghai Lin-gang Special Area Legal Service Center. With specialized teams catering to sectors like industrial parks, digital economy, and cross-border e-commerce, this alliance synergizes the locational and professional strengths of both entities. The collaboration aims to offer superior legal services to enterprises in this special area, bolstering Lin-gang Special Area's vision as a pivotal nexus for the integrated development of both onshore and offshore operations, and as a crucial platform for enterprises seeking international expansion and growth.

 The forum then transitioned to guest presentations. Feng Haibin, from Landing’s Shenzhen office elucidated the historical trajectory of customs regulations, offering a comprehensive analysis centered on the distinction between "goods” or “items", introducing the purpose and core of customs regulations and relevant legislations in P.R.China.

(Feng Haibin, Senior Partner at Landing)

Huang Runsheng, from Landing's Wenzhou office spotlighted intellectual property (IP) compliance and risk mitigation, specifying the myriad challenges Chinese enterprises face abroad, examining the critical aspects of cross-border IP compliance through a detailed analysis of both domestic and international application processes and infringement data.

(Huang Runsheng, Senior Partner at Landing)

Bruce from Payoneer addressed the role of fintech in bolstering the capital chain of cross-border e-commerce. He detailed the comprehensive financial services that firms in the cross-border e-commerce sector offer to sellers and underscored the significance of compliance in cross-border e-commerce, particularly concerning the realm of cross-border payments and funds movements.

(Bruce, the Regional Business Director at Payoneer)

Zhao Tianjiao, Senior Associate at Landing, initiated his discourse by outlining the business model of cross-border e-commerce. He meticulously dissected the nuances and focal points of the cross-border e-commerce business compliance regime, especially where it intersects with traditional foreign trade and e-commerce. Drawing from real-world scenarios, he honed in on the best practices for personal information protection in the cross-border e-commerce export sector.

(Zhao Tianjiao, Senior Associate at Landing)

Post presentations, a roundtable discussion ensued, addressing the anticipated trends and legal challenges for cross-border e-commerce in 2023. The dialogue was enriched with insights from the audience, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Landing's Cross-border E-commerce Legal Service Team, a consortium of experts from global offices, offers a gamut of services spanning corporate governance, tax planning, intellectual property, data compliance, customs inspection, product quality, advertising marketing, data compliance, customs inspection, product quality, advertising marketing, and more. Their mission is to deliver holistic legal solutions tailored to the cross-border e-commerce sector, encapsulating diverse stakeholders, business models, and processes. With participation from numerous Landing offices globally, the team continues to grow and evolve.