Nation's annual parcel volume hits nearly 200 billion

Leading the world in annual parcel volume for 12 consecutive years, China's express delivery sector has built the largest network globally, serving the biggest number of users and steadily expanding in scale, coverage and technological sophistication.

In 2025, the sector handled 199 billion parcels, up 13.7 percent year-on-year, according to data released on Wednesday during the annual conference of the State Post Bureau of China in Beijing. Revenue from express delivery services reached 1.5 trillion yuan ($214 billion), marking a 6.5 percent year-on-year increase, the data showed.

In 2026, the sector is expected to maintain steady growth, handling an estimated 214 billion parcels, a projected year-on-year increase of around 8 percent.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, China's express delivery sector achieved significant growth. The annual parcel volume increased from over 80 billion to nearly 200 billion, accounting for more than 60 percent of global courier parcel growth, while the peak daily volume reached 777 million items. The annual average per capita parcel usage increased from 59 in 2020 to 141 in 2025.

"The prosperity of the express delivery sector has not only better met the public's growing demand for convenient postal services, but has also highlighted the resilience and vitality of China's economy,"Zhao Chongjiu, head of the State Post Bureau of China, said at the conference.

"During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China developed the world's largest parcel delivery network, extending services deeper into rural areas while expanding international connections to major global economies," he added.

A key achievement was the expansion of services in rural and border regions, Zhao said.

The number of service outlets nationwide increased nearly 1.5 times, and all border villages now have access to postal services, Zhao added.

Over the past five years, the shares of express delivery revenue and volume in central and western China rose 5.4 and 7.5 percentage points, respectively, effectively facilitating the better integration of these regions into the national unified market.

In the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the number of average daily mail and parcel deliveries increased nearly fivefold in 2025 compared with 2020.

"Previously, we had to travel to pickup points in the town, but now there is a local parcel station, just a few minutes' walk from home," said Aikeremu Tula, a resident of Gonglati village in Xinjiang's Korla.

Kaiser Yumaier, head of the Gonglati parcel station, said the facility offers doorstep delivery, 24-hour pickup, and packaging and consultation services, which allow villagers to send their agricultural products to consumers without having to travel to town.

China's express delivery sector has also recorded advancements in technology and efficiency.

In November 2025, the annual parcel volume surpassed 180 billion items for the first time, with the milestone package — a smart learning device ordered by Li Xiaojun in Shenzhen, Guangdong province — processed through a fully automated warehouse and delivered by an unmanned vehicle operated by e-commerce platform JD.com.

Li described the service as "much faster and more precise", highlighting the growing efficiency of China's logistics system.

An Jixing, head of JD's Pingshan warehouse, said that unmanned vehicles handle about 15,000 parcels each day, increasing dispatch capacity and reducing staff workload.

According to the State Post Bureau data, more than 450 drones were deployed across the country in 2025, handling nearly 4 million parcels annually.

Liu Jiang, director of strategic planning research at the bureau, said: "Macroeconomic policies and progress in building a unified national market have strengthened demand and production. The scale of the courier industry continues to grow, driving consumption, domestic demand and stable growth. Technology has become a strong engine, injecting lasting vitality into the market."

Zhao, the bureau head, said the sector is expected to continue its upward trend in 2026, with both postal and express delivery revenues projected to increase further.

luowangshu@chinadaily.com.cn