This policy brief focuses on physical digital trade, specifically the cross-border e-commerce of tangible goods ordered through digital platforms. It examines the impacts of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) with digital trade provisions on cross-border e-commerce, with particular emphasis on their implications for designated operators and policymakers.

The joint research seeks to identify and test the causal relationship between digital trade agreements and the growth of cross-border postal volumes. It assesses both anticipatory and responsive behaviours in relation to digital trade policies from January 2018 to June 2023.

Initial findings from the ongoing analysis indicate significant anticipatory behaviours by businesses and consumers, as well as varied impacts across different mail categories. These insights highlight the need for clear, targeted digital trade policies to promote economic growth, reduce supply chain disruptions, and ensure better alignment between international postal policies and global digital trade regulations.