The global B2C cross-border e-commerce market is expected to reach a value of 7.9 trillion U.S. dollars by the year 2030. In 2021, the cross-border online shopping sector was valued at roughly 785 billion U.S. dollars.

In 2022, the market size of China's cross-border e-commerce totaled 15.7 trillion yuan. The market was forecast to reach a value of 16.3 trillion yuan in 2023. B2B cross-border e-commerce constituted over three quarters of the market.

The Statista Digital Market Outlook estimates that the share of cross-border e-commerce retail revenue in 2023 will be only around two percent in Japan. The United States and China also had a relatively low share of cross-boarder revenue, at three percent. Belgium and Austria, on the other hand, had a significantly higher share of their e-commerce revenue generated cross-border, at 32 and 19 percent, respectively.

This statistic shows the retail sales value of cross-border e-commerce in China in 2017 and estimates up to 2022. In 2017, China's cross-border retail e-commerce sales amounted to approximately 100.2 billion U.S. dollars and was expected to exceed 199 billion U.S. dollars by 2022.

Significant fluctuations are estimated for all segments over the forecast period for the cross-border revenue. Only for the segment Cross-border, a significant increase can be observed over the forecast period. Here, the cross-border revenue exhibits a difference of 0.0900 percent between 2017 and 2025. Find other insights concerning similar markets and segments, such as a comparison of average revenue per user (ARPU) in the United Kingdom and a comparison of average revenue per user (ARPU) in Russia.

In 2023, cross-border e-commerce in China accounted for 40.35 percent of the total import-export transaction value that year. Despite a setback in 2021, the penetration rate of cross-border e-commerce has steadily increased over the last few years.

In 2022, cross-border accounted for 17 percent of business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce revenue in the United Kingdom. In 2020, the market share of cross-border e-commerce peaked at 20.1 percent, before declining to 16.7 percent in the following year.

According to a report published by PPRO, 52 percent of cross-border e-commerce in Thailand were from China in 2021. In comparison, only seven percent of cross-border e-commerce was from the United States.

According to a report published by PPRO, 43 percent of cross-border e-commerce in Indonesia was from China as of 2022. According to the source, Shopee.co.id was the most popular e-commerce store in Indonesia in July 2022, with 171.2 million visits.

According to a survey conducted in September 2024, a total 24 percent of online shoppers surveyed in 37 countries made their most recent cross-border purchase via Amazon. Temu came in second, as 21 percent of e-commerce users placed their latest order from abroad there.

In 2022, the revenue from domestic e-commerce in Estonia exceeded that of cross-border e-commerce by around 800 million euros. Overall, domestic e-commerce sales reached 2.17 billion euros in that year, accounting for 62 percent of the total e-commerce revenue in the country.

In the 16 countries accounting for most of the EU e-commerce market, the value of the B2C cross-border e-commerce market amounted to 237 billion euros, up from the previous year.

Where is cross-border e-commerce growing?

Cross-border e-commerce is where online trade or transaction happens between two countries. In some countries of the European region, online shopping from foreign e-commerce companies is much more established than in others. Indeed, the United Kingdom (UK) reportedly bagged the highest revenue mark in Europe with about 33 billion euros, followed by Germany with 27 billion euros.

Top three countries for UK cross-border

China came as the first popular and chosen country among UK online consumers, accounting for about 43 percent of recent cross-border purchases. The list is followed by the United States with 20 percent and Germany with six percent overall. Although cross-border e-commerce is growing at a rapid speed in the UK, many consumers still do not prefer to buy from international sellers for several reasons. Over 40 percent of the consumers stated that the delivery costs, timeline, and return policies are the main constraints to buy products internationally.

According to a report conducted by PPRO, 53 percent of cross-border e-commerce trade in Hong Kong was with mainland China in 2022. Besides, Japan listed also among Hong Kong's major cross-border e-commerce partners.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global cross-border e-commerce market size is USD 791542.2 million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.50% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market of more than 40%of the global revenue with a market size of USD 316616.88million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.7%from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a share of over 30% of the global market size of USD 237462.66million.
Asia Pacific held the market of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 182054.71million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.5%from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America's market will have more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 39577.11million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.9%from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa are the major markets of around 2% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 15830.84 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.2%from 2024 to 2031.
The Credit/Debit Cards held the highest Cross border E commerce market revenue share in 2024.

Key Drivers of Cross border E commerce Market

Increasing Internet Penetration and Smartphone Adoption to Increase the Demand Globally

One of the key drivers in the cross-border e-commerce market is the increasing internet penetration and smartphone adoption worldwide. As more people gain access to the internet and smartphones, the potential customer base for online shopping expands, leading to a surge in cross-border e-commerce activities. The convenience of shopping online from international retailers, coupled with the availability of a wide range of products and competitive prices, has fueled the growth of cross-border e-commerce. Moreover, the ease of payment through digital wallets and online payment platforms has further facilitated cross-border transactions. This trend is expected to continue as internet infrastructure improves and smartphone technology becomes more affordable, driving the growth of cross-border e-commerce.

Growing Preference for Global Brands and Product Variety to Propel Market Growth

Another key driver in the cross-border e-commerce market is the growing preference among consumers for global brands and a wider variety of products. Cross-border e-commerce allows consumers to access products that may not be available in their local markets, giving them access to a broader selection of goods from around the world. This has led to an increase in demand for international brands and niche products that cater to specific interests and preferences. Additionally, cross-border e-commerce offers consumers the opportunity to compare prices and quality across different markets, empowering them to make informed purchasing decisions. As a result, retailers are increasingly focusing on expanding their product offerings and improving the shopping experience for cross-border shoppers, driving the growth of cross-border e-commerce.

Restraint Factors Of Cross border E commerce Market

Complex Regulatory Environment to Limit the Sales

One of the key restraints in the cross-border e-commerce market is the complex regulatory environment governing international trade and e-commerce. Different countries have varying regulations and policies regarding taxes, customs duties, import/export restrictions, and consumer protection laws, which can create barriers for cross-border e-commerce businesses. Adhering to these regulations can be challenging for e-commerce companies, especially smaller businesses that may not have the resources to navigate the complexities of international trade laws. This can result in delays, additional costs, and legal issues, limiting the growth of cross-border e-commerce.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Cross border E-commerce market

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the cross-border e-commerce market. With lockdowns and restrictions on movement imposed worldwide, consumers increasingly turned to online shopping for their needs. This surge in online shopping resulted in a spike in cross-border e-commerce as consumers sought products not available in their local markets or looked for better deals abroad. However, the pandemic also brought challenges such as disruptions in supply chains, logistics...

In 2023, the cross-border e-commerce market of Japan with the United States and China grew by 6.4 percent compared to the previous year, with the size exceeding 420 billion Japanese yen. The United States accounted for the largest share of B2C online cross-border purchases to Japan. Even though the market showed continuous growth in recent years, cross-border purchases play a minor role within the Japanese e-commerce market.

According to a report published by PPRO, 26 percent of cross-border e-commerce in Vietnam were from the United States as of January 2020. Within the same period, e-commerce industry accounted for one percent of the total retail.

In 2020, domestic e-commerce sales in Ecuador amounted to about 716 million U.S. dollars, compared to 964 million dollars reported for international online sales. This represents an increase of 16 percent on e-commerce sales through national portals, and a seven percent drop in those made on international stores. Additionally, in 2020, a total of 22.7 million e-commerce transactions were carried out in the South American country.

In 2023, around 189 million Chinese customers had engaged in cross-border import e-commerce, growing from 167 million the previous year. The trade value of cross-border import business reached approximately 3.6 trillion yuan that year. “Daigou” in China While the market size of cross-border online retail exceeded 551 billion yuan in 2023, China’s “daigou” industry appeared to slow down considerably after thriving for two decades. “Daigou” is a unique Chinese term for an overseas shopping agent and is well known by most Chinese online shoppers. “Daigou” purchase goods in physical stores overseas and sell them to Chinese buyers online. The craze for imported products among Chinese has increased along with their disposable income. However, the “daigou” industry hit a snag when China’s first e-commerce law was published in January 2019. With the tightening of customs regulations, it is hard for “daigou” to keep making a profit. “Haitao” in China The fast-growing international logistics service industry allows Chinese consumers to shop directly from overseas-based online retailers and ship their orders home. Known as “haitao”, this cross-border shopping trend has become increasingly popular among Chinese consumers. China’s leading e-commerce platforms have also expanded their business to overseas shopping. The range of products accessible in the overseas shopping market has evolved from primarily diary and cosmetic items to encompass various facets of daily life.

The cross-border e-commerce rate in Poland increased in 2024, reaching 36 percent for internet users who bought products from foreign e-stores.

In 2023, China's cross-border e-commerce retail import market was valued at about 551.77 billion yuan, increasing from around 527.37 billion yuan in 2022. The market had recovered from the pandemic.