U.S. online cross-border shopping with Canada up five per cent

American online shoppers are overwhelmingly convenience-driven, with 93 per cent prioritizing fast, free delivery and easy returns above all else, according to the U.S. findings of the 2026 DHL eCommerce Trends Report.

The report, based on responses from 1,000 U.S. shoppers, highlights growing expectations around delivery speed, inventory accuracy, cross-border shopping and AI-enabled retail experiences, alongside rising concerns about trust and fraud.

“American shoppers are clear about what they want: speed, transparency, and trust. The U.S. is one of the world’s most convenience-driven markets, and retailers who close the expectation gap, especially around delivery, returns, and AI-enabled shopping, will be the ones who win,” said Pablo Ciano, global CEO of DHL eCommerce.

Cross-border shopping continues to grow, with purchases from China rising from 60 per cent in 2025 to 63 per cent in 2026, the United Kingdom increasing from 25 per cent to 28 per cent and Canada climbing from 18 per cent to 23 per cent. However, 52 per cent of respondents said they avoid international purchases due to fraud concerns, making trust the top barrier.

The report found cart abandonment is driven primarily by stock availability, with 68 per cent citing out-of-stock items, followed by unmet delivery expectations at 66 per cent and unexpected customs or tax charges at 62 per cent.

Digital wallets are also gaining traction, used by 66 per cent of U.S. shoppers, compared with 87 per cent using credit and debit cards.

On emerging technology, 64 per cent of respondents cited privacy and security as their top concern regarding AI in shopping, while 46 per cent want AI-powered fraud detection and 40% want real-time inventory updates.

Looking ahead, 57 per cent of shoppers said they want same-day or faster delivery and returns, underscoring rising expectations for speed in e-commerce.

The report also found 51 per cent of U.S. consumers have purchased pre-owned or refurbished goods, ranking second globally behind France, reflecting growing interest in value and sustainability.