2. E-Commerce

2.1. Definition

There is no single universal definition of e‑commerce. For the purposes of this module, we define it as:

The buying or selling of goods and services via the internet.

When these transactions cross national borders, they are classified as cross‑border e‑commerce. International organizations and national administrations use definitions that emphasize elements such as the use of information and communication technologies, the internet as the medium for initiating transactions, the cross‑border movement of goods between economies, and the use of electronic payment or ordering systems. Examples include:

Source

Definition of e-commerce

DHL

“the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet”, highlighting its global reach and 24/7 accessibility (DHL: What is E-Commerce).

WTO Work Program on E-Commerce

“the production, distribution, marketing, sale or delivery of goods and services by electronic means.”

OECD

“the sale or purchase of goods or services, conducted over computer networks by methods specifically designed for the purpose of receiving or placing orders.”

WCO (cross-border e-commerce)

•    online ordering, sale, communication and, where applicable, payment,

•    cross-border transactions or shipment of physical (tangible) goods, and

•    goods destined for consumers or buyers (commercial or non-commercial).

These definitions reflect the broad scope of e‑commerce and how it spans digital platforms, logistics networks, payment systems, and the physical movement of goods across borders.