WIC releases 2026 Collection of Cross-Border E-Commerce Practice Cases, focusing on development in the AI era

As one of the most dynamic forms of digital trade, cross-border e-commerce is profoundly reshaping the global trade landscape, creating unprecedented opportunities for businesses, particularly micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to participate in the international division of labor and expand into overseas markets. With the accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), cross-border trade is entering a critical period of transformation across its entire value chain. On Sept 3, the International Symposium on Cross-Border E-Commerce themed "Silk Road Links Businesses, Smart Trade for Win-Win" was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. During the symposium, the 2026 World Internet Conference Collection of Cross-Border E-Commerce Practice Cases (the Collection) was officially released, offering the global cross-border e-commerce industry a forward-looking and practice-oriented industry publication.

In 2026, the World Internet Conference (WIC), through its Specialized Committee on E-Commerce, worked with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce to launch a global call for cases. Through a combination of field research, targeted invitations, and online submissions, a total of 114 cases from around the world were collected. Following multiple rounds of rigorous expert review, 88 outstanding cases were selected for inclusion in the Collection.

Covering six areas — digital platform service innovation, AI + cross-border e-commerce, integrated innovation in supporting services, compliance and sustainable development, international exchange and cooperation, and government guidance and service innovation — the Collection showcases representative, impactful, and innovative practices and experiences, sharing best practices in cross-border e-commerce development with businesses and stakeholders worldwide.

The digital platform service innovation section features 13 outstanding cases involving international platform services, platform-enabled brand internationalization, and innovative platform business models. Driven by market demand, innovation, and technology, various platforms provide targeted support to businesses of different types and in different sectors seeking to enter international markets. They make effective use of cross-border e-commerce resources and foster a mutually beneficial ecosystem between platforms and businesses, providing valuable examples for the large-scale, and high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce.

The AI + cross-border e-commerce section features 19 outstanding cases concerning cross-border e-commerce AI agents, AI-powered marketing and promotion, and AI applications across the entire business process. These cases demonstrate how AI is reshaping shopping entry points, search and recommendation systems, merchant operations, and supply chains, promoting intelligent operations and dynamic coordination across multiple processes and functions. Such applications significantly lower barriers to cross-border trade while enhancing business efficiency and competitiveness.

The integrated innovation in supporting services section features 24 outstanding cases in cross-border payment and settlement services, logistics and supply chain services, and one-stop cross-border e-commerce services. Supporting services for cross-border e-commerce are evolving toward a platform- and ecosystem-based model, shifting from simply adding functions to integrated restructuring. These innovations help reduce costs and improve efficiency in trade, while supporting for cross-border e-commerce businesses seeking to expand into international markets.

The compliance and sustainable development section features 15 outstanding cases addressing key industry challenges through innovations in platform compliance governance, dispute resolution mechanisms, full-cycle intellectual property rights management, intelligent solutions for tariff compliance, and green innovation, thereby promoting the sustainable development of cross-border e-commerce.

The international exchange and cooperation section features six outstanding cases showcasing new forms of international exchange and cooperation in cross-border e-commerce, covering capacity-building partnerships for small and medium-sized enterprises, industrial and supply chain cooperation, and talent development. Cross-border e-commerce is emerging as a key driver of deeper connectivity and coordinated development across global supply chains, capacity building, and mutual cultural understanding.

The government guidance and service innovation section features 11 outstanding cases exploring distinctive approaches to government service innovation, more efficient customs supervision, and ecosystem collaboration among industry organizations. These cases demonstrate that the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce calls for effective coordination between an efficient market and a competent government, as well as stronger support from industry organizations in areas such as standards, talent development, and ecosystem building.

The Collection provides valuable references and insights for the development of the cross-border e-commerce industry, responding to the sector's pressing needs for intelligent and digital transformation and compliant operations in global markets, while contributing to the creation of an open, inclusive, and accessible cross-border e-commerce ecosystem. Innovative practices in areas such as AI empowerment and intelligent compliance demonstrate how digital technologies are evolving from efficiency-enhancing tools into engines of governance. Meanwhile, the growing focus on emerging markets and the empowerment of MSMEs and women entrepreneurs show that cross-border e-commerce is not only an "accelerator" of trade growth, but also an inclusive "bridge" for narrowing the digital divide and promoting mutual learning among civilizations. These developments are injecting strong momentum into the building of a new global digital trade order that is open and inclusive, secure and trustworthy, green, and sustainable.