What does economic research tell us about cross-border e-commerce in the EU Digital Single Market?

This paper presents a non-technical summary of the latest economic research studies on cross-border e-commerce in the EU and elsewhere, and combines this with findings from older research on this subject. It compares online with offline cross-border trade and investigates the differences in drivers and impediments to both. It also looks into research findings regarding consumer motives to shift from offline to online trade and explores possible sources of consumer welfare increase as a result of this shift. Finally, it flags issues for further research. The main purpose of this note is to bring the findings from recent research together in a coherent framework and make it accessible to stakeholders and decision-makers involved in EU policy-making on the Digital Agenda for Europe and the EU Digital Single Market.