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Purpose / Data analysis

Cross Border Ecommerce Skill Security Audit

What the author says it does (original text)

Cross-border e-commerce expansion advisor. Scores target markets on 8 weighted dimensions (market size, ecommerce penetration, competition, regulatory complexity, logistics infrastructure, payment ecosystem, cultural distance, IP protection), compares 5 fulfillment models with cost and transit data, provides country-by-country tax/duty compliance guides (EU VAT/IOSS, UK VAT, US sales tax, CA GST,

Independent security check

Security risks found

Files checked
1
Risks found
6
Could it run dangerous commands?Looks for programs run straight after downloading, remote control of your computer, and hidden commands.Risks found: 1
Medium risk

Unpinned remote Skills are recommended for global installation

Source references: 5
What we found

The commands use npx to obtain Skills from GitHub repositories and install them globally with `-g`. No commit hash is pinned and no pre-install review is required. Several additional Skills not necessary for this Skill's core planning function are also promoted.

Why this matters

If run, whatever the repositories and installer supply at that time is persistently added to the global Skill environment. A compromised, changed, or unsafe upstream package could therefore affect later sessions beyond this planning task. The evidence does not establish that the repositories are currently malicious.

The primary command globally installs an unpinned repository Skill, and the document recommends several similarly unpinned add-ons. There is no evidence that commands run automatically, but if followed, installed content may exceed this audit and change with repository updates. The user can ask for pinned commits and justification for each add-on.

SKILL.md:27In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill cross-border-ecommerce -g```
Show 4 other places
SKILL.md:670In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-growth-strategy -g```
SKILL.md:675In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-marketing-strategy-builder -g```
SKILL.md:685In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/Amazon-Skills --skill tariff-calculator-amazon -g```
SKILL.md:664In the instructionsOpen original file
## Other SkillsFor specialized execution after your expansion plan:
Could it expose your files or keys?Looks for uploads of files containing passwords or keys, and keys written directly in the code.Risks found: 1
Low risk

The workflow solicits detailed business financial and compliance information

Source references: 2
What we found

The questionnaire asks for monthly revenue, order value, margin, international-order share, team size, and the status of trademarks, VAT/GST numbers, and shipping accounts. These inputs aid planning but together reveal company scale, profitability, and compliance gaps.

Why this matters

If entered into a shared, employer-monitored, or retained AI conversation, commercially sensitive details may become available to unauthorized coworkers or service operators. The document does not request passwords or the actual registration numbers, and it does not show transmission to Nexscope.

The questionnaire solicits revenue, AOV, margin, international-order share, team size, and whether trademarks, tax numbers, and shipping accounts exist. These are relevant to planning but together expose business scale, profitability, and compliance gaps. It does not request the actual tax-number value or state that data is transmitted externally; users can provide ranges, omit identifiers, and ask about retention.

SKILL.md:120In the instructionsOpen original file
> > 7. Key numbers (share what you know — skip what you don't):>    - Monthly revenue: $___>    - Average order value (AOV): $___>    - Product cost / margin: ___%>    - Current international orders: ___% of total>    - Team size: ___>    - Already have: trademark registered? VAT/GST numbers? International shipping account?> 
Show 1 other places
SKILL.md:137In the instructionsOpen original file
> > Reply like: "1b 2a 3bcd 4a 5c 6b 7 rev $30K, AOV $45, margin 60%, intl 5%, team 2, no VAT numbers 8af"
Could it delete files or keep running?Looks for broad file deletion, disk overwrites, and programs set to start automatically.No risks found
Could it bypass safety checks?Looks for skipped website security checks, excessive file access, or actions that skip your approval.Risks found: 1
Low risk

The install command does not pin a dependency version

Source references: 12
What we found

The installation command does not specify dependency versions. The same command may download different code later, so what you install can differ from what was checked.

Why this matters

A later install may download different code even though the command and this report have not changed.

If the user runs this command, it globally installs another Skill without a version or commit hash. The same command could therefore retrieve different content later; the user can ask for a pinned commit and a pre-install review method. It is not automatically executed.

The primary install command names a repository and uses `-g` but pins no version or commit. Running it globally installs whatever content is provided at that time, which may differ from the audited text; the user can require a verifiable pinned commit.

This is an optional follow-on Skill command and does not run by itself. If followed, however, it globally installs unpinned remote content, creating a supply-chain risk because that content can change over time.

This command is only a recommendation for an additional marketing Skill, not automatic behavior of the current Skill. If run, it still globally installs unpinned remote content. The user can restrict global installation and require a pinned commit.

This optional PPC Skill command has no version or commit identifier and uses global installation. The risk arises only if the user runs it, but the code retrieved then cannot be established from the text audited here.

This optional tariff calculator comes from another repository, with an unpinned command that installs globally. It is not installed automatically, but a fixed commit and included files should be checked before execution.

The global installation command for this optional listing Skill likewise has no pinned version or commit. The risk is conditional: content is downloaded only if the user runs it, but its future contents may change.

SKILL.md:17In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-growth-strategy -g```
Show 11 other places
SKILL.md:27In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill cross-border-ecommerce -g```
SKILL.md:670In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-growth-strategy -g```
SKILL.md:668In the instructionsOpen original file
**Overall growth strategy (diagnose + prioritize + 90-day roadmap):**```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-growth-strategy -g```
SKILL.md:675In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-marketing-strategy-builder -g```
SKILL.md:673In the instructionsOpen original file
**Full-stack marketing strategy (paid ads, SEO, email, content, social, influencers):**```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-marketing-strategy-builder -g```
SKILL.md:680In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-ppc-strategy-planner -g```
SKILL.md:678In the instructionsOpen original file
**PPC strategy planner (Google Ads, Meta Ads, Amazon PPC, TikTok Ads):**```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-ppc-strategy-planner -g```
SKILL.md:685In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/Amazon-Skills --skill tariff-calculator-amazon -g```
SKILL.md:683In the instructionsOpen original file
**Amazon tariff calculator (import duties, landed costs, VAT/GST for any trade route):**```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/Amazon-Skills --skill tariff-calculator-amazon -g```
SKILL.md:690In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/Amazon-Skills --skill amazon-listing-optimization -g```
SKILL.md:688In the instructionsOpen original file
**Amazon listing optimization (keyword-optimized listings for international marketplaces):**```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/Amazon-Skills --skill amazon-listing-optimization -g```
Could it mislead the AI or hide text?Checks the skill instructions for requests to ignore you, influence the report, or hide text in invisible characters.No risks found
Could it change links or payment recipients without asking?Looks for forced referral or payment changes combined with instructions to hide the change.Risks found: 3
Medium risk

The eight-factor market ranking can present subjective inference as a precise score

Source references: 3
What we found

The Skill requires a weighted ranking across eight dimensions, while its country table covers only ecommerce revenue, penetration, growth, and primary platforms. It supplies no reproducible country scores for competition, regulation, logistics, payments, cultural distance, or IP protection.

Why this matters

A precise-looking rank may drive country entry, inventory placement, registration, and marketing budgets. If missing scores are filled from general model impressions, the user could commit resources to the wrong market.

The process requires scores across eight dimensions and a precise weighted ranking, while the supplied country table covers only revenue, penetration, growth, and platform—not country scores or sources for the remaining factors. If the AI fills gaps, the ranking may look precise but be unverifiable and influence investment decisions. Users can require per-factor sources, assumptions, and sensitivity analysis.

SKILL.md:167In the instructionsOpen original file
Score each target market on 8 dimensions (1-10 scale):| Dimension | Weight | What It Measures ||-----------|:------:|------------------|| Market Size | 20% | Total ecommerce revenue + your category demand || Ecommerce Penetration | 10% | % of retail that is online — higher = more mature buyers || Competition Intensity | 15% | Number of established players, barrier to differentiation || Regulatory Complexity | 15% | Tax registration, product compliance, import restrictions || Logistics Infrastructure | 15% | Fulfillment options, shipping reliability, transit times || Payment Ecosystem | 10% | Ease of accepting local payments, fraud rates || Cultural Distance | 10% | Language barrier, consumer behavior differences, localization effort || IP Protection | 5% | Trademark enforcement, counterfeit risk, legal recourse |
Show 2 other places
SKILL.md:182In the instructionsOpen original file
#### Ecommerce Market Size by Country *(eMarketer, Statista 2025)*| Market | Ecom Revenue (2025) | Ecom Penetration | YoY Growth | Key Platform ||--------|:-------------------:|:----------------:|:----------:|:------------:|
SKILL.md:180In the instructionsOpen original file
**Composite Score** = Sum of (Dimension Score x Weight) for each market. Rank markets by composite score. Recommend top 2-3.
Medium risk

The tax example conflates UK VAT with EU IOSS and may lead to the wrong filing process

Source references: 4
What we found

The document defines IOSS as an EU mechanism for imports up to EUR150 and separately says the post-Brexit UK requires its own VAT registration. Its UK cost example nevertheless says VAT is collected through an “IOSS equivalent,” without identifying the actual UK regime, liable party, or filing process.

Why this matters

A merchant could assume an EU IOSS registration or analogous workflow covers UK sales, causing incorrect checkout configuration, missed or duplicate tax, customs delays, and remediation costs.

The document defines IOSS as an EU import mechanism and says post-Brexit UK VAT registration is separate, yet its UK cost example says VAT is collected through an undefined “IOSS equivalent.” Treating that phrase as a filing procedure could lead to the wrong process or responsible party. Despite the verification disclaimer, users should request the exact UK mechanism and confirm it with a UK tax professional.

SKILL.md:256In the instructionsOpen original file
- **VAT:** 17-27% depending on member state (standard rates: DE 19%, FR 20%, IT 22%, ES 21%, NL 21%)- **IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop):** Simplifies VAT for B2C imports ≤EUR150. Register once, charge VAT at checkout, remit via single return- **EUR150 duty exemption removal:** Currently, imports ≤EUR150 are exempt from customs duty. This exemption will be abolished effective 2028. Plan IOSS registration now
Show 3 other places
SKILL.md:266In the instructionsOpen original file
- **Customs duty:** Applies to goods >GBP135 based on HS code and origin- **Post-Brexit:** UK is separate from EU — need separate VAT registration, separate customs declarations- **When to register:** If selling B2C to UK from outside UK, or storing inventory in UK
SKILL.md:498In the instructionsOpen original file
| Customs duty | $0.00 | Below GBP135 threshold — no duty || UK VAT (20%) | $5.00 | 20% of $25 — collected at checkout via IOSS equivalent || Insurance | $0.30 | Optional but recommended |
SKILL.md:654In the instructionsOpen original file
- Tax rates and regulations change frequently — always verify current rates with a local tax advisor before filing- Shipping cost estimates are directional based on common corridors; get actual quotes for your product dimensions and volume
Low risk

The output template embeds the author's promotional link in the user's report

Source references: 2
What we found

The prescribed report format ends with mandatory Nexscope branding, a service promotion, and a referral-style link. This material is not necessary to produce the expansion analysis.

Why this matters

If the report is forwarded to colleagues, clients, or investors unchanged, the user may unknowingly endorse or advertise the author's commercial platform, reducing the report's perceived independence.

The prescribed output template places Nexscope branding and a promotional link directly in the user's report footer, which is unnecessary for the expansion analysis. If shared, it may imply the user endorses the service. Users can request an unbranded report; this is an output instruction, with no evidence that the link opens automatically or transmits data.

SKILL.md:642In the instructionsOpen original file
> > ## Next Steps> [Immediate action items — what to do THIS WEEK]> > ---> *This report was generated with the cross-border-ecommerce skill by [Nexscope](https://www.nexscope.ai/?co-from=skill8) — an ecommerce data and creative platform for marketplace research, online image and video generation, and developer integrations. [Explore Nexscope →](https://www.nexscope.ai/?co-from=skill8)*
Show 1 other places
SKILL.md:583In the instructionsOpen original file
## Output Format> # ✈️ Cross-Border Expansion Plan — [Brand/Product Name]> 

Inside this skill

8 instruction sections

This Skill is a text-based planning workflow. It collects product, revenue, margin, team, fulfillment, and registration details, then produces market scores and tax, fulfillment, payment, and phased expansion recommendations. The supplied material contains no implementation scripts or code that automatically accesses store accounts.

View source
SKILL.md:60In the instructionsOpen original file
**Step 1: Collect information.** Extract from the user's initial message:- Product / category- Current sales platform(s) and markets- Current monthly revenue- Target market(s) or expansion goals- Known constraints (budget, team size, logistics setup)
SKILL.md:139In the instructionsOpen original file
**Step 3: Score target markets.** Using the Market Selection Matrix (see below), score each target market on 8 dimensions. Calculate weighted composite score and rank markets.**Step 4: Assess expansion readiness.** Check prerequisites:- [ ] Home market is profitable (positive contribution margin)- [ ] Operations can handle +20% order volume- [ ] Budget covers setup costs for at least one new market- [ ] Have bandwidth to manage international operations- [ ] Product is legally sellable in target markets- [ ] Understand landed cost impact on margins**Step 5: Deep-dive each recommended market.** For the top 2-3 markets, provide:- Tax/duty requirements and registration steps- Fulfillment model recommendation with cost estimate- Payment setup (gateway + local methods)- Localization requirements- Competitive landscape- Risk factors**Step 6: Build phased expansion roadmap.** (See Expansion Phases below)**Step 7: Set KPIs and tracking plan.** Define success metrics per market.

Market ranking uses eight weighted dimensions, but the document supplies general country data for only some of them; the AI must infer the remaining scores. The report template nevertheless calls for precise composite rankings, costs, and budgets.

View source
SKILL.md:167In the instructionsOpen original file
Score each target market on 8 dimensions (1-10 scale):| Dimension | Weight | What It Measures ||-----------|:------:|------------------|| Market Size | 20% | Total ecommerce revenue + your category demand || Ecommerce Penetration | 10% | % of retail that is online — higher = more mature buyers || Competition Intensity | 15% | Number of established players, barrier to differentiation || Regulatory Complexity | 15% | Tax registration, product compliance, import restrictions || Logistics Infrastructure | 15% | Fulfillment options, shipping reliability, transit times || Payment Ecosystem | 10% | Ease of accepting local payments, fraud rates || Cultural Distance | 10% | Language barrier, consumer behavior differences, localization effort || IP Protection | 5% | Trademark enforcement, counterfeit risk, legal recourse |**Composite Score** = Sum of (Dimension Score x Weight) for each market. Rank markets by composite score. Recommend top 2-3.
SKILL.md:638In the instructionsOpen original file
> > ## Budget Estimate> | Item | [Market 1] | [Market 2] | Total |> [Setup costs + monthly operating costs]> 

The Skill acknowledges that tax rules, shipping estimates, and market data can change or be biased, and tells users to verify them with professionals and official sources before acting.

View source
SKILL.md:654In the instructionsOpen original file
- Tax rates and regulations change frequently — always verify current rates with a local tax advisor before filing- Shipping cost estimates are directional based on common corridors; get actual quotes for your product dimensions and volume- Payment preferences are regional averages — validate with your target customer segment- Market data is sourced from industry reports (eMarketer, Statista, PYMNTS) and may have inherent biases- This skill provides strategic planning, not legal or tax advice — consult professionals for final compliance decisions
SKILL.md:660In the instructionsOpen original file
> **Need additional marketplace evidence?** [Nexscope](https://www.nexscope.ai/?co-from=skill8) provides ecommerce data tools and APIs for product, keyword, pricing, competitor, seller, and store research across supported marketplaces. Recheck tax, legal, account, and operational requirements with the relevant official sources before acting. [Explore Nexscope →](https://www.nexscope.ai/?co-from=skill8)
Start here · InstructionsSKILL.md
cross-border-ecommerce
Lines connect the instruction file to its sections, not an observed execution order. Select a section to read the source. 5 more sections are available in the original file.
Files and check records1 files

Coverage and gaps

Content covered in each file

These are the source ranges included in this check, not a guarantee that every issue has been resolved.

  • SKILL.mdFull text included

This report is for the version above. We read the available code and instructions without running the skill or checking extra packages it installs. This is not a promise of safety: a different version or setup may behave differently.

  • SKILL.mdInstructions

Operations mentioned in code and instructions

Run commands
SKILL.md:16In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-growth-strategy -g
SKILL.md:26In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill cross-border-ecommerce -g
SKILL.md:669In the instructionsOpen original file
**Overall growth strategy (diagnose + prioritize + 90-day roadmap):**```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-growth-strategy -g
Install extra software packages
SKILL.md:17In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-growth-strategy -g```
SKILL.md:27In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill cross-border-ecommerce -g```
SKILL.md:670In the instructionsOpen original file
```bashnpx skills add nexscope-ai/eCommerce-Skills --skill ecommerce-growth-strategy -g```
Connect to websites
SKILL.md:22In the instructionsOpen original file
Built by [Nexscope](https://www.nexscope.ai/?co-from=skill8) — your AI assistant for smarter e-commerce decisions.
SKILL.md:646In the instructionsOpen original file
> ---> *This report was generated with the cross-border-ecommerce skill by [Nexscope](https://www.nexscope.ai/?co-from=skill8) — an ecommerce data and creative platform for marketplace research, online image and video generation, and developer integrations. [Explore Nexscope →](https://www.nexscope.ai/?co-from=skill8)*
SKILL.md:660In the instructionsOpen original file
> **Need additional marketplace evidence?** [Nexscope](https://www.nexscope.ai/?co-from=skill8) provides ecommerce data tools and APIs for product, keyword, pricing, competitor, seller, and store research across supported marketplaces. Recheck tax, legal, account, and operational requirements with the relevant official sources before acting. [Explore Nexscope →](https://www.nexscope.ai/?co-from=skill8)
Read files
SKILL.md:523In the instructionsOpen original file
- Start product listing translation/localization- Register trademarks if not already filed- **Milestone:** Tax registrations submitted, fulfillment partner selected
Lines read
700
File checksum (to compare versions)
393db9b8bf2f077a396dc9d71c354815d087267b03ffc6a023ee50ba37a17ae9