01 The Blue Ocean Emerges: Why Import Cross-Border E-Commerce Is Worth Betting On?  

Amid China’s sustained efforts to expand openness and the accelerated digitization of foreign trade, import cross-border e-commerce has entered a high-growth cycle. Compared to traditional general trade, models like "Bonded Online Shopping Import" (1210) and "Direct Purchase Import" (9610) feature lower qualification barriers, lighter tax burdens, and smaller capital requirements—lowering the entry threshold for businesses while offering greater profit flexibility. For newcomers seeking a "light-asset" start, this market is unleashing unprecedented opportunities.  

02 Clarifying the Concept: How Does Import Cross-Border E-Commerce Work?  

Strictly speaking, import cross-border e-commerce is a B2C international trade model where buyers and sellers from different countries or customs territories complete orders and payments via online platforms, with goods delivered directly to consumers through cross-border logistics. Under China’s regulatory framework, it mainly operates in two modes:  

**Bonded Online Shopping (1210)** — Merchants bulk-ship overseas goods to special customs supervision zones for consolidation, clearing customs and shipping orders individually after consumers place orders. Benefiting from a "bonded first, taxed later" mechanism, this model enjoys tariff exemptions for orders under ¥5,000 (annual cap: ¥26,000) with VAT and consumption tax levied at 70% of the standard rate, resulting in an effective tax rate of around 9%. Additionally, stocking goods in domestic bonded warehouses cuts delivery times to 2–3 days, significantly enhancing user experience.  

**Direct Purchase Import (9610)** — After consumers place orders, goods are shipped directly from overseas warehouses and cleared under a "multi-item, single-ticket" declaration. This model requires no domestic pre-stocking, features shorter supply chains and fewer category restrictions, making it ideal for new sellers testing diverse SKUs with low inventory. Compared to bonded online shopping, delivery times are slightly longer, but capital requirements are lower, allowing flexible shipping based on stock availability.  

The two models can coexist: Merchants can stock high-turnover bestsellers in bonded warehouses for speed while keeping long-tail or niche items in overseas warehouses for on-demand shipping, striking an optimal balance between experience and cost.