Despite increased trade barriers due to the elimination of the small-value tax exemption, shipments of Korean sellers’ products to the U.S. surged by approximately 60% compared to the same period last year.
On Wednesday, logistics company Lincos released an analysis of data from Korean sellers using eBay eGS, its overseas shipping service operated in partnership with the global e-commerce platform eBay.
The analysis revealed a significant uptick in cross-border e-commerce interest. eBay eGS user numbers nearly doubled, increasing by 91% year-over-year, while overall shipping volume rose by 41%.
eBay eGS offers a comprehensive shipping solution for sellers. By simply sending their online-ordered products to the Incheon logistics center, sellers benefit from a one-stop service covering everything from customs clearance to local delivery. This convenient and cost-effective option serves as a crucial springboard for new and small-scale vendors looking to break into the global market.
Particularly noteworthy was the 58% year-over-year increase in U.S. Standard shipments to the U.S. Surprisingly, despite concerns over customs duties following the August 29 repeal of the small-value tax exemption, U.S.-bound shipments more than doubled between September and December.
Analysts attribute this growth to two factors: an influx of sellers capitalizing on the strong dollar, and Korean vendors’ proactive adoption of the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping method, effectively mitigating customs-related concerns.
Expansion beyond the U.S. market was also notable. CA Standard shipments to Canada increased by 36%, while AU Standard deliveries to Australia grew by 23%. European shipments under the EU Standard category saw a 36% uptick, and GB Standard shipments to the UK rose by 38%.
These countries are targets of eBay’s eBaymag service, highlighting the success of programs designed to support Korean sellers’ international expansion. eBaymag automatically translates and currency-converts product listings from eBay.com to seven local eBay sites, including those in the UK and France.
To meet the growing demand for cross-border e-commerce, eBay eGS is enhancing its overseas shipping capabilities. Following a 2024 partnership with GS25, the company has now forged shipping alliances with CU and Emart24 as of January this year.
The new system allows sellers to select convenience store shipping through eGS and drop off items at their nearest participating store. Products are then transferred to the Incheon logistics center, where eBay eGS manages the entire process from inspection and customs clearance to local delivery. This streamlined approach combines the ease of local drop-offs with comprehensive overseas shipping management.
An eBay eGS spokesperson commented that driven by the strong dollar and support for cross-border e-commerce, they’ve seen substantial year-over-year growth in overseas shipments through eGS. By upgrading its logistics infrastructure through partnerships with three major convenience store chains, they’re actively addressing the demand for international purchases. It’ll continue expanding eGS services to allow sellers to focus on overseas sales without shipping concerns.