The Southeast Asian e-commerce market has undergone significant transformations within just one month. From Thailand's unexpected import tariff adjustments to the shifting fortunes of Shopee and Lazada in key performance metrics, and the refinement of seller services across platforms, these developments signal intensifying competition. Sellers must now navigate this evolving landscape of challenges and opportunities.
Industry Recognition and Platform Developments
Dianxiaomi ERP Wins Lazada's Top Service Provider Award
At the "Shining Overseas · United Forward – 2025 Lazada & Daraz Seller Awards" held in Shenzhen on January 16, Dianxiaomi ERP received the "Excellent Service Provider" award from Lazada. This recognition highlights the platform's growing emphasis on high-quality service partners that can provide sellers with efficient operational support.
Ozon Launches Telegram Bot for Real-Time Seller Analytics
Russian e-commerce platform Ozon has introduced a dedicated Telegram chatbot that delivers daily business reports to sellers. The automated updates include over 20 key metrics such as sales performance, product listings, conversion rates, and promotional effectiveness. While Ozon clarifies that backend data remains authoritative, this innovation significantly improves sellers' access to operational insights.
Key Platform Policy Changes
Shopee Taiwan Implements Next-Day Delivery Mandate: Starting April 1, 2026, Shopee Mall sellers in Taiwan must meet strict next-day delivery requirements. Monthly evaluations will assess seller performance based on response rates and order volume, with non-compliant sellers risking marketplace privileges.
Lazada's Lunar New Year Logistics Adjustments: The platform has announced special operational arrangements for the 2025 Spring Festival period (January 28-February 4), including modified fulfillment timelines and warehouse schedules. Sellers must carefully plan inventory and shipping operations to accommodate these changes.
Cross-Border Tools and Service Enhancements
Seller Ledger Expands to Amazon and Poshmark
The cross-border accounting tool has broadened its platform support, now serving sellers on Amazon and Poshmark in addition to eBay and Etsy. Developed by Kevin Reeth (co-founder of Outright), Seller Ledger provides critical financial management features including inventory tracking, cost recording, and automated platform synchronization.
Mercado Libre Introduces Chinese Account Managers for Brazilian Market
The Latin American e-commerce giant now provides dedicated Chinese-speaking account managers to assist sellers using Brazilian fulfillment centers. This localized support helps navigate operational challenges, promotional opportunities, and dispute resolution in this key emerging market.
Emerging Platforms and Traffic Trends
TikTok Shop Launches Email Subscription Feature
The social commerce platform now allows sellers to collect customer emails during checkout, enabling direct communication for order confirmations, after-sales service, and loyalty programs. This marks a strategic shift toward helping brands build sustainable customer relationships beyond individual transactions.
December 2025 Traffic Analysis: Shopee Gains, Lazada Rebounds
Recent traffic data reveals Shopee achieved growth across all Southeast Asian markets, with the Philippines showing strongest gains at 16.03%. Lazada demonstrated mixed performance, recovering significantly in Singapore (19.52%) and the Philippines (17.57%) while experiencing slight declines in Indonesia and Vietnam.
Thailand's Tariff Reform Impacts Cross-Border Sellers
Effective January 14, 2026, Thailand will impose import duties on all cross-border purchases regardless of value, coupled with the existing 7% VAT. This policy change eliminates the previous 1,500 THB tax exemption threshold, potentially increasing total tax burdens to 17% or higher depending on product categories. Sellers must urgently recalibrate pricing strategies and inventory planning to accommodate these new cost structures.
The Southeast Asian e-commerce sector continues to evolve rapidly, with platform innovations, consumer preference shifts, and regulatory changes reshaping competitive dynamics. Sellers who adapt quickly to these developments while maintaining focus on product quality and localization will be best positioned for success in this dynamic marketplace.