E-Commerce + Ai Is Expected To Reshape Foreign Trade Methods

Artificial intelligence technology and new cross-border e-commerce formats are reshaping the way foreign trade is conducted. The reporter learned through front-line research that cross-border e-commerce has now become an important channel for many foreign trade companies to obtain orders. With the support of AI technology, cross-border e-commerce may have a profound impact on traditional foreign trade methods. Industry insiders pointed out that cross-border e-commerce will play an important role in brand and channel construction of Chinese manufacturing companies.

AI technology supports cross-border e-commerce

"Cross-border e-commerce is the top priority of our business. Cross-border e-commerce live broadcast allows overseas buyers to see real stores, factories and products. Each of our salesmen must be able to do live broadcast." OPEC Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. Xu Jingqian, general manager of the company, said.

"Cross-border e-commerce", "live streaming" and "AI" have become high-frequency words in the mouths of many foreign trade companies. Some companies say that with the support of AI technology, cross-border e-commerce may have a profound impact on traditional foreign trade methods.

Data from the General Administration of Customs shows that in 2023, my country's cross-border e-commerce imports and exports will be 2.38 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 15.6%.

"During the New Year's Day holiday, our company has been busy with cross-border e-commerce live broadcasts, and many overseas buyers took advantage of the holidays to buy new supplies for their pets. In 2024, we will continue to increase our business layout in cross-border e-commerce live broadcasts and bring more new products to the market. Products are introduced to the international market, and at the same time, we understand needs, improve products and develop new products through interactions with users." said Zhu Qiucheng, CEO of Ningbo New Oriental Industry and Trade Co., Ltd.

"What are foreign trade companies most concerned about now? How to use AI technology to grab orders and traffic." Wu Xinhe, marketing director of Shenzhen Maiwei Times Technology Co., Ltd. said, "At the beginning of 2023, we will broadcast nearly 10 live broadcasts every day hours, and now AI digital humans can complete all live broadcast work for us."

Huang Kai, general manager of Jiecheng Furniture Co., Ltd. in Shunde District, Foshan City, told reporters that after using AI products, the company can release 100 products in only two hours, greatly improving efficiency. "Our team is currently studying how to train the AI assistant every day to make it better understand the needs of the team."

"For foreign trade people, 2023 is a year of market changes and technological changes. In the future, intelligence and video will change the next generation of foreign trade experience." said Zhang Kuo, President of Alibaba International Station.

"With the support of new technologies such as AI, digital foreign trade is ushering in better development opportunities. Looking to the future, AI technology will be deeply integrated with foreign trade and profoundly change the traditional foreign trade methods." Director of the Institute of International Trade in Services of the Ministry of Commerce Research Institute Li Jun said.

Increase global influence

Industry experts said that China's cross-border e-commerce platforms, represented by AliExpress, SHEIN, and TEMU, have continued to increase their global influence and are entering a new stage of high-quality development. In the future, cross-border e-commerce will play an important role in serving the construction of global brands and channels made in China.

"During the 'Double 11' Shopping Festival in 2023, we sold more than 30,000 items in our fully managed cross-border e-commerce stores alone, which is almost 5 to 8 times the usual number." The person in charge of CARE, a domestic automobile and motorcycle parts brand People say that overseas shoppers are increasingly enthusiastic about participating in the "Double 11" shopping festival.

"In the context of the increasing global influence of China's cross-border e-commerce platforms, the shopping habits of overseas consumers are gradually being affected by the Chinese consumer market." "In the past, Chinese consumers participated in traditional overseas shopping seasons such as 'Black Friday'. Now overseas consumers are also beginning to participate in China's 'Double 11' shopping festival." During the interview, many foreign trade companies lamented to reporters.

Chen Gang, Chairman of the Cross-Border E-Commerce Branch of the China Small and Medium Commercial Enterprises Association and Executive Vice President of Newegg Group China, pointed out that more and more companies in my country, especially manufacturing companies with innovation and iteration capabilities, pay more attention to expanding overseas markets through Cross-border e-commerce platforms sell products to all over the world, open up sales channels, and build brands. This not only brings more profits and business opportunities to companies, but also provides more consumption choices for overseas consumers.

"Cross-border e-commerce is an important trend in the transformation and development of international trade in the future and will play an important role in serving the construction of global brands and channels made in China." said Li Mingtao, chief e-commerce expert at the China International E-Commerce Center.

There are still shortcomings that need to be improved urgently

Industry insiders also said that there are still shortcomings in the development of the cross-border e-commerce industry.

Chen Gang pointed out that while the cross-border e-commerce industry is developing rapidly, we must be clearly aware that there are still many problems and challenges in the development of the industry, including high logistics costs, cumbersome payment procedures, cultural differences and other issues, which require greater cooperation between the upstream and downstream of the industry chain. , jointly promote the healthy development of the industry.

Talking about making up for the shortcomings in the development of the cross-border e-commerce industry, Zhu Keli, executive director of the China Information Association and founding director of the Guoyan New Economic Research Institute, put forward the following suggestions:

First, because the infrastructure is not perfect, it is necessary to increase investment in infrastructure construction, improve customs clearance efficiency, optimize logistics and information flow channels, reduce corporate operating costs, and provide strong support for the development of cross-border e-commerce; second, for the function of overseas warehouses and service levels need to be improved, information construction and compliance management need to be strengthened, a complete overseas warehouse service system should be established, and the optimization and development of the entire supply chain should be promoted; thirdly, in view of the prominent problem of talent shortage, it is necessary to increase school-enterprise cooperation and establish A complete cross-border e-commerce talent training system can meet the development needs of the industry and introduce and retain high-quality talents; fourth, the legal environment needs to be standardized, and it is necessary to promote the establishment and improvement of the cross-border e-commerce laws and regulations system and formulate regulations that meet the development needs of the industry. policies and regulations to promote the healthy development of the industry.