Cross-border Logistics for WeChat Stores, A Primer

1. Cross-border models to choose from

• Direct ship from origin, you fulfill from your home warehouse to the buyer in China. Simple to start, slower transit, tax collected per parcel.
• Bonded warehouse in China, you bulk import into a bonded zone, tax is assessed per parcel on release, faster last mile after the order.
• General trade, full import to a domestic warehouse. Fastest delivery after customs clearance, requires full product compliance and labeling in advance.

2. Importer of Record and compliance basics

Each shipment needs a legal Importer of Record that takes responsibility for declarations and taxes. For most overseas brands, this is a local entity or a licensed logistics partner. Align early on who signs declarations, who stores records, and how disputes are handled. Keep consistent naming across invoices, packing lists, and platform data to avoid delays.

3. HS codes, duties, and taxes

• Confirm HS codes per SKU, use the most specific code that fits the product function and materials.
• Estimate duty and VAT based on code and model. Cross border retail parcels often use different collection methods compared to general trade.
• Price with taxes in mind to keep checkout honest. Show duties included when you can, unexpected charges kill repeat purchases.

4. Shipping methods and SLAs

• Postal, low cost, slow, useful for samples and very low value orders.
• Commercial express, faster and trackable, good for D2C parcels and early stage testing.
• Line haul + local courier, common for bonded workflows, stable speed and predictable costs.
• Set clear SLAs, order cut off, dispatch time, average delivery by province, and communicate delays inside the Mini Program and OA replies.

5. Bonded zones and FTZ workflows

Bonded warehouses let you clear parcels after the order, which improves cash flow and speed. You pre-position inventory in the zone, sync orders from your WeChat store, generate pick and pack tasks, and release parcels with electronic customs data. Stock accuracy and on time data pushes are critical.

6. Documents and data you must prepare

• Commercial invoice per parcel, buyer name, address, phone, item description, quantity, value, currency.
• Packing list, weight and dimensions, carton count, SKU level detail when required.
• Certificates for regulated goods where applicable, cosmetics, food, electronics, and so on.
• Electronic data feed to your partner, order number, SKU code, HS code, price, and tax basis.

7. Packaging, labeling, and restricted goods

• Use sturdy cartons and internal protection, avoid rework at the zone.
• Product labels should match declarations, language, ingredients, warnings, and power specs where relevant.
• Know restricted categories early, batteries, liquids, powders, magnets, and temperature sensitive items need special lanes.

8. Returns and aftersales flow

Decide where returns land, back to origin, to the bonded zone, or to a domestic partner. Returns should create a ticket in your WeChat workflow, with a QR code or code number for the parcel. Inspect on arrival, restock if possible, and issue refunds based on your policy. Keep messages friendly and fast, the aftersales experience defines your review score.

9. How to pick 3PL and customs partners

• Ask for references in your category and confirm service lanes for your top provinces.
• Check WMS and API capability, orders in, status back, stock levels, and exception feeds.
• Agree on an SLA sheet, receiving, putaway, pick accuracy, dispatch time, delivery time, and claim handling.
• Run a two week pilot with 100 to 300 orders, watch first scan time and last mile exceptions.

10. Go live checklist