E-commerce news
One story a day from the e-commerce world, and what it means for your store.
41 stories
- Platforms
eBay raises seller currency conversion fee to 2.75% for China sellers
From October 14, eBay will keep 2.75% instead of 2.5% when it converts funds for Greater China sellers on non-USD sites; US and Canadian sellers go from 3% to 3.25%, with Australia, the UK and four EU markets following by December.
- Logistics
Shopify opens market-driven shipping; mixed carts now pay the highest rate
Since Oct. 1, Shopify merchants can opt in to managing shipping rates by market, and new shops start there by default. Same-name rates now merge so a mixed cart pays only the highest one. Every qualified store must switch by July 1, 2027, so stores with several shipping profiles or shipping apps need to check their setup.
- AI & tools
Meta launches Muse for Small Business with Shopify and ad account access
Meta's Muse AI agent now connects to Shopify, Stripe, QuickBooks, Klaviyo and Meta ad accounts for small businesses in the U.S. and Canada. It is free for most uses, with paid plans for heavier use, and Shopify sellers who run Meta ads are the most affected.
- Logistics
TikTok Shop adds no-box returns at about 10,000 Happy Returns drop-offs
TikTok Shop now lets U.S. shoppers return eligible orders with no box or label at about 10,000 Happy Returns locations, with an instant refund. The option is open to participating sellers, both self-fulfilled and Fulfilled by TikTok. Seller pricing hasn't been disclosed.
- Advertising
Amazon rebuilds ads as Ads Agent, folds Sponsored Display into DVA+
At unBoxed on Sept. 29, Amazon merged its ads console and DSP into Amazon Ads Agent, opened Full-Funnel Campaigns to all U.S. advertisers and said DVA+, which absorbs Sponsored Display and Sponsored TV, rolls out from late October. Sellers running display ads face the biggest change.
- Platforms
Shopify moves Shop to Shop.com, adds per-product return windows
Shopify has moved its Shop app's website to shop.com after buying the domain from Market America, and launched return windows that can be set by collection, product or variant. From October 23, Shopify Tax will also tax return shipping fees on U.S. orders.
- Policy & regulation
US-China $30B tariff-cut lists cover toys, appliances, baby gear
The U.S. and China published the product lists for their reciprocal "30-for-30" tariff cuts. The 77 U.S. tariff lines cover toys, small appliances, home textiles and holiday goods, but no effective date has been set.
- Logistics
US-bound container rates hold near $7,800–$10,400 ahead of Golden Week
Shanghai–US rates stopped rising but stayed near 2026 highs in the week to September 24, while Asia–Europe rates fell. Drewry expects a dip around China's October 1–7 holiday, but US lanes may stay elevated through late October, which affects Q4 restocking for Amazon and cross-border sellers.
- Logistics
Amazon to extend GWD to 7 more countries, adds one-test compliance
Amazon will expand Global Warehousing and Distribution beyond the U.S. to the UK, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Canada by year-end, letting one shipment feed eight marketplaces. It also launched multi-country compliance testing, starting with toys.
- Policy & regulation
EU sets €2 customs handling fee on e-commerce imports from Nov. 1
The European Commission set the new EU handling fee at €2 per item for e-commerce goods from outside the EU. Dutch authorities say it starts November 1, on top of the €3 flat duty, raising costs for cross-border sellers who ship parcels directly to EU buyers.