China’s cross-border e-commerce grows just 4.4% through September, far below overall trade

China’s cross-border e-commerce reached about 2.18 trillion yuan from January to September 2026, up 4.4%, according to a preliminary customs estimate presented by statistics director Lü Daliang on October 14, as reported by Beijing News. Exports were about 1.75 trillion (+4.6%) and imports 434.05 billion (+3.3%).

The first-half survey shows exports are mainly apparel, shoes, bags and jewellery and home, kitchen and bathroom goods, shipped mostly from Guangdong, Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangsu. Imports are concentrated in medicines and health equipment, cosmetics and apparel.

According to Lü, customs has rolled out nationwide an “inspect before loading” model for consolidated cargo to speed clearance and cut costs, and now supports e-commerce exports by international road transport and rail.

CSP take: with 4.4% growth in a year when total trade grows 18.8%, Chinese cross-border e-commerce has entered a fight for margin. For brands and importers, the edge lies less in the channel and more in choosing the right supplier and shipping method. This reading is ours, not Customs’.