Couriers in China - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
Beijing, China
Last Updated: May 2024
5990Revenue
$191.0bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
4m
Businesses
1,184
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Couriers in China industry analysis
The Courier industry is a relatively new business segment in China. In its modern form, it has existed for about 30 years. Industry demand was supported by the increasing income levels and purchasing power of Chinese residents. Industry's performance is also closely related to the development of ecommerce market in China, especially the online shopping market, as it depends heavily on couriers delivering goods purchased online. Industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualized 10.2% over the five years through 2024, to $191.0 billion. This trend includes a 10.0% jump in the current year.
Online shopping market has developed rapidly in China benefiting from the increasing number of Internet users. As of 2023, the number of Internet users in China has reached 1.1 billion units, the Internet penetration rate in total population also increased to 77.5%. Online shopping as a share of total retail sales of consumer goods reached 32.7% in the year. In the five years to 2024, total courier volume in China is expected to rise at an average rate of 20.1%, to 158.6 billion units.
Affected by the COVID-19 in 2022, total courier volume increased by just 2.1% from 2021, much lower compared with the previous years. This is mainly because the communities and factories where the cases occurred may be required to be closed or shut down, which has resulted in reduced production and trade activities and decreasing demand for express delivery services. In 2022, industry revenue decreased by 4.1% from 2021.
Industry revenue is forecast to rise at an annualized 7.6% over the five years through 2029, to $275.2 billion. The recovery of China's economy and consumption in China will continue to support the industry growth. The implementation of RCEP will also stimulate international trade between China and member countries, and further promote the demand for international express services. The development of technology and systems applied to courier activities is forecast to further improve rapidly over the period. Productivity and efficiency in the industry is forecast to contribute to improve.
Trends and Insights
- Rapid growing online shopping market boosted industry demand. Online shopping market in China has developed rapidly, which stimulated the demand for express delivery services.
- Off-site express services represent the largest segment. Demand for off-site express services has increased strongly driven by the improving income level and purchasing power of Chinese residents, and the rapid growth of online shopping market.
- The industry has obvious regional characteristics. Courier companies is mainly concentrated in the regions with higher economic levels, especially in the coastal regions.
- Private capital dominates the market. All top five players in the industry are private companies, with a joint market share of 45.7% in 2024.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 10.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $191.0bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Improving income levels of Chinese residents have supported the industry growth
- Income levels of Chinese residents have improved rapidly due to the rapid growth of China's economy. In the past decade to 2023, disposable income per capita in China increased at an average rate of 7.9%.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The recovery of China's economy and consumption will support industry growth
- The repeated COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in slower growth of China's economy, which was 2.2% in 2020 and 3.0% in 2022.
Biggest companies in the Couriers in China
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
S.F. Holding Co., Ltd. | 37,416.4 | |
JD Logistics, Inc. | 27,884.9 | |
YTO Express Group Co., Ltd. | 8,544.5 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 9 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Intra-city express services, Off-site express services and International express services. Intra-city express services is the largest segment of the Couriers in China.
Trends and Insights
Intra-city express services have decreased as a share of industry revenue
- Intra-city express services refer to the express services where the sender and recipient are located in the same city in China.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- International Express Service in China
Complementors
- Freight Trucking in China
- Air Transportation of Freight in China
International industries
- Global Courier & Delivery Services
- Couriers & Local Delivery Services in the US
- Couriers & Local Delivery Services in Canada
- Courier Pick-up and Delivery Services in Australia
- Postal and Courier Pick-up and Delivery Services in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Couriers in China provide collection, transportation and delivery services for parcels or small articles. They also provide customers with fast, convenient and flexible business express delivery services. Services provided by the national postal system are not included in the industry.
What's included in this industry?
Intra-city express servicesOff-site express servicesInternational express servicesCompanies
S.F. Holding Co., Ltd.JD Logistics, Inc.YTO Express Group Co., Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 9 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
NATIONAL POSTAL SYSTEMEXPRESS MAIL SERVICE (EMS)INTRA-CITY EXPRESS SERVICEOFF-SITE EXPRESS SERVICEPerformance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Rapid growing online shopping market boosted industry demand. Online shopping market in China has developed rapidly, which stimulated the demand for express delivery services...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Off-site express services represent the largest segment. Demand for off-site express services has increased strongly driven by the improving income level and purchasing power...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The industry has obvious regional characteristics. Courier companies is mainly concentrated in the regions with higher economic levels, especially in the coastal regions.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Private capital dominates the market. All top five players in the industry are private companies, with a joint market share of 45.7% in 2024.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Private capital dominates the market. All the top five industry operators are private companies with joint market share of 45.7% in 2024.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of S.F. Holding Co., Ltd.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of JD Logistics, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of YTO Express Group Co., Ltd.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 6 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for S.F. Holding Co., Ltd., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for JD Logistics, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for YTO Express Group Co., Ltd., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 6 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Government guides the industry development. The State Council and the State Post Bureau have released a series of policies and regulations to support the development of t...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Fuel costs are high. Industry operators mainly relies on trucks, aircrafts for transportation, which consumes large amount of fuel oil, indicating a high level of fuel costs.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in China include:
- National Bureau of Statistics China
- General Administration of Customs
- People’s Bank of China
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Couriers industry in China in 2024?
The market size of the Couriers industry in China is $191.0bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Couriers in China industry in 2024?
There are 1,184 businesses in the Couriers industry in China, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Couriers industry in China grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Couriers industry in China has been growing at a CAGR of 10.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Couriers industry in China over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Couriers industry in China is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Couriers market in China?
The biggest companies operating in the Couriers market in China are S.F. Holding Co., Ltd., JD Logistics, Inc. and YTO Express Group Co., Ltd.
What does the Couriers in China include?
Intra-city express services and Off-site express services are part of the Couriers industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Couriers in China?
The company holding the most market share in China is S.F. Holding Co., Ltd..
How competitive is the Couriers industry in China?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Couriers industry in China.
