From drone delivery and smart logistics to global expansion and international standards, China’s logistics industry is entering a new stage.
China’s express delivery industry has become one of the country’s most remarkable growth stories. What started as a service supporting online shopping has evolved into a vast logistics network that powers consumption, connects rural communities and supports international trade.
Today, China operates the world’s largest delivery network. In 2025, the country handled nearly 200 billion parcels, accounting for about 60 per cent of global parcel volume. Yet the story is no longer just about scale. It is increasingly about technology, global connectivity and China’s growing role in shaping the future of logistics.
Building the World’s Largest Delivery Network
China’s parcel volume has expanded at an extraordinary pace over the past decade. According to official data, express delivery volume reached 198.95 billion parcels in 2025, keeping China at the top of the global rankings for the 12th consecutive year.
At the same time, delivery services have become part of everyday life. The average Chinese resident now receives 141 parcels a year, more than double the figure at the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
The rapid expansion reflects more than growing consumer demand. It also highlights the country’s efforts to improve logistics access across regions. Postal and delivery services now reach all border villages nationwide, while remote areas in Xinjiang and Tibet have become more closely connected to the national e-commerce market.
As a result, logistics has become a key piece of infrastructure supporting China’s digital economy.
Technology Is Transforming Logistics
Scale alone cannot explain how nearly 200 billion parcels move across such a large country. Technology has become a major driver of efficiency.
Across China, logistics companies are deploying drones, autonomous vehicles, intelligent warehouses and AI-powered routing systems to speed up deliveries and optimise operations.
In Anhui Province’s Huangshan Mountain scenic area, a drone route reduced delivery time from about 90 minutes on foot to just six minutes. In Fujian Province, drone services are helping transport medical supplies between hospitals, cutting delivery times from 50 minutes to 20 minutes on some routes.
Technology is also changing logistics in rural areas. During the spring tea harvest in Xinyang, Henan Province, autonomous shuttle vehicles help transport freshly picked tea leaves between collection points and distribution centres. The system has increased collection efficiency by about 30 per cent.
Meanwhile, drone delivery operations continue to expand nationwide. More than 4 million parcels are now transported by drones each year, demonstrating how new technologies are moving from pilot projects to real-world applications.
Expanding Global Reach
As domestic networks mature, Chinese logistics companies are increasingly looking beyond national borders.
China has built 374 overseas warehouses worldwide and continues to expand logistics networks across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia and Latin America. In 2025, international parcel volume reached 4.2 billion items, while the international delivery business recorded average annual growth of more than 18 per cent.
These networks support the movement of Chinese products overseas. At the same time, they help connect businesses and consumers across different markets.
China’s growing international influence is also reflected in a recent milestone for the industry. In Hangzhou, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) established the world’s first international standards committee dedicated to express delivery services. The committee’s secretariat is based in China.
The development signals a new stage for the industry. China is no longer focused solely on delivering more parcels. Increasingly, it is contributing technology, operational experience and industry standards to the global logistics sector.
From building the world’s largest delivery network to helping shape global standards, China’s logistics industry is entering a new phase—one that extends far beyond moving packages from one place to another.
Written by Ronnie Yu, Charts created by Di Wang.
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