The surge in cross-border e-commerce is creating significant logistics complexity, with Australian providers adapting their capabilities to capture growth opportunities.

Market Growth

Volume Trends

Inbound parcels from China: Up 35% YoY
Southeast Asian marketplaces: Rapid growth
Outbound Australian brands: Increasing global reach
Returns complexity: Growing challenge

Platform Drivers

Major marketplace growth:

Temu and Shein: High-volume low-value shipments
Amazon Global: Seller expansion
Direct-to-consumer brands: International shipping

Logistics Challenges

Customs Processing

Low-value threshold compliance
GST collection requirements
Product classification accuracy
Documentation completeness

Delivery Complexity

Last-mile cost pressures
Consumer expectation management
Returns handling difficulty
Address quality issues

Provider Responses

Capability Investment

Customs brokerage expansion
Technology platform integration
Consolidated shipping solutions
Returns management services

Partnership Models

International carrier alliances
Marketplace logistics programs
Cross-border specialists
Technology platform integration

Regulatory Environment

Ongoing developments:

Low-value import review
Product safety compliance
Environmental packaging rules
Consumer protection requirements

The cross-border segment represents both significant growth potential and operational complexity for the logistics sector.