Daigou
Daigou () is an emerging form of cross-border exporting in which an individual or a syndicated group of exporters outside China purchases commodities (mainly luxury goods, but sometimes also groceries such as infant formulas) for customers in China. "Daigou" shoppers typically purchase the desired goods in a region outside China, after which they post the goods to China or carry them in their luggage when they return to China. The goods are then sold for profit in China. "Daigou" activities can be conducted illegally, or legally, using loopholes to circumvent import tariffs imposed on overseas goods. Sales. "Daigou" sales  across sectors total $15 billion annually. In 2014 the value of the "daigou" business just in luxury goods increased from CN¥55 billion to CN¥75 billion yuan (US$8.8 billion to $12 billion). "Daigou" purchases are often made in luxury brand boutiques in major fashion cities like Paris, London, New York City, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul. Some "daigou" operators use Weibo and WeChat to communicate with their clients. The large demand for "daigou" service is due to perceived high import tariffs on luxury goods and concern over unsafe products, especially food safety problems, "Daigou" shoppers can provide assurance  that the products which consumers in China order are genuine and safe to use. Shoppers often have personal connections with the people in China who order from them. A 2015 survey of Chinese online luxury shoppers found that 35% have used "daigou" to purchase luxury goods online, while only 7% used the website of the brand they are buying, or think they are buying. Approximately 80% of Chinese luxury purchases are made abroad. Negative impacts. "Daigou" syndicates can be involved in hoarding and stockpiling of goods in large quantities, often infuriating local customers for the shortage of goods and disruption  incurred to the markets. This has also prompted several governments to take actions against "Daigou" smuggling and hoarding. Starting from 2012, the New Zealand government has been regularly cracking down and sometimes outright banning unauthorized export of consumer goods through unregistered channels. Australian retailers have imposed multiple restrictions on "Daigou" purchases of baby formula. Some "Daigou" service providers fraudulently sell counterfeit products that have been altered to appear purchased abroad from legitimate sources. Responses from China. On January 1, 2019, China officially rolled out a new e-commerce law, the first of its kind to directly regulate "Daigou" activities. Under  the new law, all "Daigou" participants will be legally required to register as e-commerce operators and acquire licenses in both China and the country where they shop, making their business subject to taxation in both China and the region where they purchased goods. Any e-commerce platform and seller could be fined 2 million yuan and 500,000 yuan respectively, and possibly face criminal charges, if they are found guilty of smuggling, tax evasion and willful violation of the new e-commerce law.