From the perspective of supply chain, discuss the optimization measures of cross-border e-commerce logistics chain

The development process of an enterprise includes several stages, such as growth, maturity, and decline. Different operating and management models should be applied at different stages of development. International cross-border logistics, as a key support for the development of cross-border e-commerce enterprises, is also influenced by the enterprise life cycle. Therefore, cross-border e-commerce enterprises should determine the specific logistics model to apply based on their respective development stages.

In 2019, my country's cross-border e-commerce transaction volume reached 10.7 trillion RMB, doubling the figure compared to 2015. This has led to the gradual and systematic development of the cross-border e-commerce financial industry.

However, overall, my country's cross-border e-commerce business remains highly fragmented. Despite a total number of 705,000 businesses and 3.014 million employees,

Enterprises with transaction volumes exceeding 10 million RMB still account for less than 10% of all cross-border e-commerce enterprises. This results in relatively fragmented cross-border e-commerce service resources and low market concentration.

Under these circumstances, postal parcel services have become the primary form of cross-border logistics, which is not conducive to the systematic development of cross-border logistics. The current cross-border e-commerce industry is gradually shifting from a B2B-based business model to a more B2C model.

This places higher demands on cross-border logistics, requiring international logistics models to shift from their original operating model to a model of consolidation and overseas warehousing. Against this backdrop, optimizing the cross-border e-commerce logistics chain from a supply chain perspective should address the following aspects.

(I) Integrating the Entire Supply Chain and Promoting Logistics Integration

From a supply chain perspective, the overall cross-border e-commerce supply chain encompasses manufacturers, suppliers, logistics companies, warehousing, distribution, and international consumers. The essence of management lies in effectively integrating these capital and information flows.

As the central hub of cross-border e-commerce operations, logistics connects, integrates, and serves various stakeholders in the supply chain. To ensure timely delivery of cross-border goods while minimizing costs, a combination of various logistics models should be employed to achieve the optimal combination.

The internal components of a cross-border e-commerce enterprise primarily encompass cost, management, and service. Warehousing, transportation, and management all contribute to costs. Enterprise costs directly influence the choice of logistics model.

(II) Optimizing customs clearance conditions and applying hybrid logistics

Cross-border e-commerce products must undergo various stages, including logistics in the exporting country, customs, commodity inspection, international transportation, customs in the importing country, and commodity inspection in the importing country. They may also undergo reverse logistics for returns and exchanges, significantly increasing cross-border logistics time and adding more links.

Therefore, optimizing customs clearance conditions for cross-border e-commerce and building a cross-border e-commerce logistics network can further enhance the development of the cross-border e-commerce ecosystem.

The government plays an active guiding role in this process. Government departments should guide customs to establish green inspection channels that facilitate cross-border e-commerce, thereby shortening customs clearance times for cross-border e-commerce.

At the same time, processes such as storage, customs clearance, declaration, inspection, and tax payment should be optimized. Cross-border e-commerce companies should actively cooperate with customs and security inspections and other necessary procedures, and prepare the necessary materials for customs clearance in advance.

(3) Improving Logistics Infrastructure and Developing Big Data Technology

To adapt to the continuous improvement of the cross-border e-commerce system, cross-border logistics optimization can be addressed through two aspects: establishing overseas warehouses and upgrading infrastructure. Overseas warehouse construction requires significant human and material resources. When serving international buyers, cross-border e-commerce merchants must also consider the policies, culture, and customs of the host country.

This is difficult for most cross-border e-commerce merchants to effectively manage. Optimizing logistics infrastructure and management systems cannot be achieved in the short term. Therefore, cross-border e-commerce merchants need to develop long-term plans and continuously invest capital, manpower, and technology to further develop in the cross-border e-commerce sector.

(4) Establishing a Trust Mechanism and Promoting Business Integration

The coordinated development of cross-border e-commerce logistics involves issues related to profit distribution, capital flow, and information disclosure, which affect the interests of both parties.

As cross-border e-commerce and cross-border logistics are independent entities, conflicts of interest can arise between them. These conflicts often arise from the lack of a sound trust mechanism between the two parties, requiring a more rational distribution of interests.