New tax rules on overseas goods purchased via the Internet began on Friday. The new rules level the playing field for  e-commerce platforms and traditional retailers and importers. Overseas retail goods bought online will be taxed the same way as any other imported goods under the new rules. In the meantime, China also has published a list of cross-border e-commerce retail imports subject to the new tax rules. The list includes 1,000 products, mostly consumer goods, such as food and drinks, clothes and shoes, some cosmetics, and toys. The new rules ensure fair competition for  traditional importers by eliminating the preferential fiscal treatment for e-commerce platforms.