Following @UNCTAD #eCommerce session on #trade #facilitation & expedited shipments. Interesting first intervention from @eBay confirming #eCommerce is doing very well in the current crisis - from video games & fitness equipment to beauty & care products and food & drinks 1/ https://twitter.com/UNCTAD_TLB/status/1252548151220867073

@ebay speaker confirms that local #deliveries are more efficient at present due to reduced #urban #traffic. Some countries where e-commerce relies on national postal services have been impacted by challenges faced by postal services. 2/

@UPU_UN speaker highlights the challenges faced by #postal operators supporting #ecommerce . The lack of passenger international flights has forced operators to look for other means of transport + new routes - generating in some cases a need for new procedures. 3/

@GEAExpress reminds participants that #express operators are open for business & have played a key role in bringing essential goods & PPE to their destinations. Operators have had to adapt services to protect staff + react to uncoordinated action at national level. 4/

#express operators have faced issues in terms of #flight operations, #ground operations & at #borders. Some countries introduced complete flight bans in the early days of the crisis. Bans were subsequently lifted but operators have faced quarantines for pilots. 5/

#ground operations have been negatively affected by local restrictions or curfews. Fortunately, an increasing number of countries recognise the #express sector as essential. Some countries have imposed restrictions on exports of PPE. 6/

Another issue faced in countries where #ecustoms uptake is low is unavailability of #customs officers at the borders. @DeutschePostDHL then emphasises need to expedite shipments & to ensure goods are not stuck at warehouses & borders as a matter of priority. 7/

@DeutschePostDHL pleads for the private & public sectors to work hand in hand & for expedited clearance to prioritise inbound flows so that essential goods may get to their destination ASAP. Public authorities should then focus on the economic recovery. 8/

Authorities should encourage & support SMEs in greater use of #ecommerce argues @DeutschePostDHL, as part of the recovery. Authorities need to move away from paper-based systems, move to the exchange of #edocuments , accept electronic signatures & enable #epayments . 9/

This was echoed by @unctad Constantin Ciuta who reminded participants of a few available tools that could prove useful during the lockdown & beyond, to help reduce need for physical contact, increase uptake of #eformalities & identify & prioritise goods used to fight #COVID19 10/