China's Overseas Express Deliveries Show Remarkable Growth Amidst US Tariffs
In May 2025, China's international express delivery volume increased by 11.1% year-on-year, despite heightened tariffs imposed by the United States.
In May 2025, China's overseas express delivery sector recorded significant growth, with a year-on-year increase of 11.1%.
The total volume of express shipments to international destinations, including the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions and Taiwan, reached 310 million pieces, according to data released by the State Post Bureau.
This growth trend continues a robust trajectory seen earlier in the year, as the cumulative volume for the first five months of 2025 has reached 1.66 billion pieces, reflecting a 22.4% increase over the same period in 2024.
The performance of China's express delivery sector comes amid the implementation of increased tariffs on packages valued at $800 or less directed towards the U.S. market.
Following a U.S. executive order dated April 9, 2025, tariffs escalated to 120%, or $100 per item, from May 2 to June 1. However, this tariff was adjusted down to 54% starting May 14, while the $100 charge per item remained.
Industry experts, such as Zhu Qiucheng, CEO of Ningbo New Oriental Electric Industrial Development, attribute the sustained growth of express deliveries to a strategic shift by Chinese exporters.
Many are diversifying their markets beyond traditional reliance on the U.S. Zhu highlighted that cross-border e-commerce businesses are increasingly seeking alternative destinations in response to tariff pressures.
This expansion in express delivery services aligns with a general increase in China's foreign trade growth.
In yuan-denominated terms, China's total goods trade reached 17.94 trillion yuan (approximately $2.5 trillion) in the first five months of 2025, equating to a 2.5% year-on-year rise.
In May alone, trade values were reported at 3.81 trillion yuan, marking a 2.7% increase compared to the previous year.
Trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) saw growth rates of 4.2% during the same timeframe.
Notably, exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) surged by 9.1%, and those to Africa increased by 12.4%, demonstrating a shift towards emerging markets.
He Yadong, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), emphasized that this growth is indicative of China's high-level opening-up strategy, bolstered by a resilient domestic environment and government support.
He highlighted that businesses have displayed adaptive capacity amidst global uncertainties, contributing to both quantitative and qualitative improvements in China's foreign trade landscape.
Furthermore, Zhu indicated that China's robust supply chain infrastructure is a significant asset, allowing e-commerce firms to respond quickly to market demands.
He noted increased inquiries from U.S. clients seeking to secure imports from China, emphasizing that tariffs predominantly affect American consumers and pose challenges for U.S. small and medium enterprises reliant on Chinese raw materials.
Zhu’s comments underline the complex interdependence between U.S. and Chinese markets, particularly in the current global trade climate.
The total volume of express shipments to international destinations, including the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions and Taiwan, reached 310 million pieces, according to data released by the State Post Bureau.
This growth trend continues a robust trajectory seen earlier in the year, as the cumulative volume for the first five months of 2025 has reached 1.66 billion pieces, reflecting a 22.4% increase over the same period in 2024.
The performance of China's express delivery sector comes amid the implementation of increased tariffs on packages valued at $800 or less directed towards the U.S. market.
Following a U.S. executive order dated April 9, 2025, tariffs escalated to 120%, or $100 per item, from May 2 to June 1. However, this tariff was adjusted down to 54% starting May 14, while the $100 charge per item remained.
Industry experts, such as Zhu Qiucheng, CEO of Ningbo New Oriental Electric Industrial Development, attribute the sustained growth of express deliveries to a strategic shift by Chinese exporters.
Many are diversifying their markets beyond traditional reliance on the U.S. Zhu highlighted that cross-border e-commerce businesses are increasingly seeking alternative destinations in response to tariff pressures.
This expansion in express delivery services aligns with a general increase in China's foreign trade growth.
In yuan-denominated terms, China's total goods trade reached 17.94 trillion yuan (approximately $2.5 trillion) in the first five months of 2025, equating to a 2.5% year-on-year rise.
In May alone, trade values were reported at 3.81 trillion yuan, marking a 2.7% increase compared to the previous year.
Trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) saw growth rates of 4.2% during the same timeframe.
Notably, exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) surged by 9.1%, and those to Africa increased by 12.4%, demonstrating a shift towards emerging markets.
He Yadong, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), emphasized that this growth is indicative of China's high-level opening-up strategy, bolstered by a resilient domestic environment and government support.
He highlighted that businesses have displayed adaptive capacity amidst global uncertainties, contributing to both quantitative and qualitative improvements in China's foreign trade landscape.
Furthermore, Zhu indicated that China's robust supply chain infrastructure is a significant asset, allowing e-commerce firms to respond quickly to market demands.
He noted increased inquiries from U.S. clients seeking to secure imports from China, emphasizing that tariffs predominantly affect American consumers and pose challenges for U.S. small and medium enterprises reliant on Chinese raw materials.
Zhu’s comments underline the complex interdependence between U.S. and Chinese markets, particularly in the current global trade climate.
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