Quanzhou Cross-border EC Ecosphere Helps Businesses Go Global

With the help of the Donghai Cross-border E-commerce Ecosphere in Fengze District, plus-size women clothing made in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, is gaining traction on TikTok in the U.S.. Donghai ecosphere is playing a key role as the city is emerging as one of China’s most active cross-border e-commerce clusters.

To help local businesses build a presence and make profit on different platforms, the Donghai ecosphere has established a full-chain services system covering product sourcing, livestreaming guidance, third-party managed operations, logistics and finance.

“Plus-size products are hard to find in U.S. offline stores, and they tend to be expensive online. We offer both good design and low prices,” said Zhuang Zhimin, director of Cross-border E-commerce Operations in Donghai, adding that some items are priced as low as $10 on TikTok in the U.S..

According to Zhuang, top-selling items target women aged 30 to 50 and follow U.S. sizing standards with a focus on daily outfit styles.

Compared with other social media platforms such as Facebook and X, TikTok’s short-video format makes it easier for products to go viral. 

“TikTok has more diverse forms of interaction, which makes it easier for users to better understand the product,” said Huang Canyang, general manager of the Donghai Cross-border E-commerce Ecosphere Operations Company.

Donghai ecosphere has many companies that help sellers find influencers, multi-channel networks, and livestreaming counsellors to promote their products. As a result, an increasing number of plus-size items are becoming more and more popular among American consumers.

Although the growth in business and market expansion bring opportinities, the cross-border e-commerce faces growing uncertainties. The low entry barriers have attracted a flood of new players, leading to fierce competition and price wars, which makes it increasingly challenging for businesses to maintain profitability in the global market.

A recent policy was released by State Taxation Administration to improve management and strengthen supervision over cross-border e-commerce. It requires international e-commerce platforms to report sales data and seller information to China’s tax authorities. Shops on platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and TikTok are required to submit seller information, including identity and income data, by the end of October 2025.

The rule is expected to impact sellers operating under non-inventory or low-compliance models, and to accelerate the industry’s move toward transparency and standardization. “If the new policy is fully enforced, many low-cost, asset-light sellers may exit the market, and supply chains will need to adapt,” said Zhuang.

To improve self-regulation and streamline operations, Donghai is ramping up investment in overseas warehouses. It is also developing AI-powered platforms to strengthen its digital infrastructure and support expansion into potential markets, including Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.