State Post Office: China's express delivery development index in August was 424.9, up 4.4% year-on-year

The Zhitong Finance App learned that according to estimates, China's express delivery development index for August 2025 was 424.9, an increase of 4.4% over the previous year. Among them, the development scale index and development trend index were 567.4 and 71 respectively, up 11.2% and 10.4%, respectively, from the previous year. The service quality index and development capacity index were 605.1 and 220, respectively, which was basically the same as the same period last year. In August, the express delivery industry market expanded steadily, comprehensive transportation capacity continued to increase, aviation networks were improved at an accelerated pace, and the industry was closely integrated with upstream and downstream industries, which strongly supported the smooth operation of the economy.

Figure 1 China Express Delivery Development Index from August 2023 to August 2025

In August, the development scale index was 567.4, up 11.2% year on year. Judging from the sub-indicators, the express delivery business volume is expected to increase by about 12% year on year in August, and business revenue will increase by about 6% year on year. In August, with the arrival of the harvest season for specialty agricultural products such as fruits, seafood, and mushrooms, the industry thoroughly served modern agriculture, and the delivery volume of specialty agricultural products increased steadily; actively promoted integrated development with cultural, commercial and tourism to accelerate the release of consumption vitality. The express delivery business continued to grow, and the average daily business volume is expected to exceed 500 million units.

In August, the service quality index was 605.1, an increase of 0.3 percentage points over the previous year. Judging from the sub-indicators, public satisfaction with express delivery services is expected to be 84.8 points, an increase of 1.2 points over the previous year. The 72-hour turnaround rate for key regions is expected to be 86.7%, an increase of 1.4 percentage points over the previous year. In August, the industry's service capacity was optimized and upgraded. First, the level of terminal service has improved. By increasing unmanned vehicle transportation and installing automatic sorters, express delivery companies improve the level of operation at outlets, shorten sorting and delivery time, and achieve fast and efficient delivery at the end. Actively build unmanned post stations, add smart courier cabinets, innovate service models such as “express delivery+pharmacy” and “express delivery+laundry”, explore the construction of a full-time, multi-functional, and personalized terminal service system to effectively solve users' problems such as “difficult pickup” and “late pickup”, so that terminal services can better meet the diverse needs of the people. Second, comprehensive service capabilities have been enhanced. Express delivery companies help snack manufacturers solve problems such as reverse processing by building regional core warehouses. Jointly create a “factory direct to consumer” service model with water and beverage companies to help enterprises reduce costs and increase efficiency by simplifying service links and optimizing service processes, and improving market response speed. Third, the cold chain system is being improved at an accelerated pace. In order to deliver products such as seafood, river food, goji berries, etc., express delivery companies arrange professional collection team on-site services to enhance one-stop service capabilities such as quick sorting and professional packaging. Self-developed mobile fresh storage warehouses are equipped with professional cold chain tricycles and refrigerated cages to increase investment in aviation, high-speed rail and other transportation resources, enhance comprehensive three-dimensional cold chain transportation capacity, effectively guarantee that local specialty products reach the whole country, and provide positive support for promoting the economic development of local characteristics.

In August, the express delivery development capacity index was 220, which is basically the same as the same period last year. First, automated processing capabilities have been enhanced. The industry uses automated processing centers in Handan and Cangzhou in Hebei, Sanming in Fujian, and Jieyang in Guangdong to upgrade the Chifeng transit hub and improve regional distribution processing efficiency. Second, air capacity continues to increase. Industry-owned airlines have added new international freighter routes such as “Jinan = Tokyo,” “Fuzhou = Manila,” and “Fuzhou = Clark,” and have launched a “Haikou-Tel Aviv” freighter charter route.

In August, the trend index was 71, up 10.4% year on year. The industry's strategic cooperation circle continues to expand, and market confidence is steadily increasing. It is expected that in September, the industry will continue to develop steadily, moderately and positively, under the impetus of consumer promotion policies.

This article was selected from the “State Post Office” official account, Zhitong Finance Editor: Jiang Yuanhua.