Consumer Law Implications of Ecommerce and Goods Warehousing

Abstract

Australian consumers are increasingly purchasing goods online from platforms such as eBay. It is anticipated that global ecommerce sales will reach US$4.5 trillion by 2021, with Australia being in the top 10 countries worldwide to engage in this form of trade. Online platforms and logistic companies are increasingly providing overseas sellers with a local address, a warehouse and a local bank account. This paper examines whether the consumers in Australia have adequate consumer protection against overseas online sellers and associated problems with redress in the case of consumer law breaches. The paper also explores the shortcomings of the Australian and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines for consumer protection of electronic commerce and offers possible solutions.