The competitive landscape of cross-border e-commerce continues to evolve rapidly, with logistics serving as its critical backbone. Recent developments—including Amazon's upgrades to its NARF program, adjusted fee structures by major shipping companies, and expanded route networks—are poised to significantly impact online sellers navigating international markets.
Amazon's NARF Program Upgrade: Deal Feature Simplifies North American Expansion
Amazon has introduced a significant enhancement to its North American Remote Fulfillment (NARF) program with the launch of NARF Deal, addressing longstanding seller challenges in managing inventory across the continent. Previously, NARF-eligible ASINs from U.S. warehouses faced limitations participating in promotional events on Canadian and Mexican marketplaces.
The updated program now allows merchants to directly submit U.S.-stored inventory for Deal campaigns on Amazon's Canadian and Mexican platforms, eliminating previous visibility barriers. This strategic move reduces operational complexity by enabling centralized U.S. inventory management while automatically handling cross-border logistics and import duties—a compelling solution for sellers testing new markets without establishing local distribution networks.
Shopee Tests Full-Turnkey Model: Suppliers Focus on Production While Platform Controls Operations
E-commerce platform Shopee is piloting a comprehensive managed service model that fundamentally redefines seller responsibilities. Under this arrangement, the platform assumes complete control over product selection, pricing, merchandising, and customer service, while participating vendors function strictly as product suppliers.
The model currently being tested requires selected manufacturers to confirm pricing viability for top-performing SKUs with minimal inventory commitments (30-50 units per item). While this approach dramatically lowers operational barriers for production-focused businesses, it simultaneously reduces supplier control over critical commercial decisions—a trade-off requiring careful evaluation.
Shipping Sector Developments: New Routes, Revised Fees, and Strategic Alliances
Maritime logistics providers are implementing substantial changes that will influence global e-commerce supply chains:
Route Network Expansions
- Torgmoll launched direct China-Russia container service linking Qingdao, Shanghai, and Huangpu to St. Petersburg's First Container Terminal using five specialized vessels (2,500 TEU capacity), with twice-monthly sailings.
- COSCO Shipping initiated Far East-South America East Coast service from Yangpu International Container Terminal, connecting to six Brazilian ports following last September's Yangpu-West Africa route launch.
Carrier Rate Adjustments (Effective April 2023)
- Hapag-Lloyd: Increased General Rate Increase (GRI) for Asia to Latin America West Coast/Mexico/Caribbean
- Sinotrans: Revised Australia destination charges for Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane
- ZIM: Adjusted GRI for Far East/Indian Subcontinent to North America routes
- Matson Navigation: Implemented MAF increase for CLX+ service
Operational Partnerships
Wan Hai Lines and Hapag-Lloyd filed a new vessel sharing agreement for Asia-U.S. East Coast service, deploying twelve 8,500-13,100 TEU vessels with port rotations including Shanghai, Ningbo, Singapore, and U.S. East Coast terminals.
OOCL Reports Record Earnings Amid Industry Uncertainty
Orient Overseas Container Line achieved historic financial performance in 2022 with $19.8 billion revenue (17.8% YoY growth) and $9.96 billion net profit. While reflecting strong market conditions, these results emerge as the industry faces emerging challenges including capacity oversupply and softening demand—factors requiring careful monitoring by logistics-dependent e-commerce businesses.
RCEP Facilitates Agricultural Exports: Chongqing Oranges Air-Shiped to Singapore
A Cathay Pacific cargo flight recently transported 10 metric tons of Fengjie navel oranges from Chongqing Jiangbei Airport to Singapore, initiating a 100-ton seasonal export program leveraging Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade terms. The operation utilized specialized green channels and multimodal air transport via Wushan Airport, demonstrating RCEP's potential to streamline agricultural exports through tariff reductions and simplified customs procedures.