State Post Bureau: In May, China's express delivery development index was 472.9, an increase of 3.1% year-on-year.

The State Post Bureau released the May China Express Development Index report. According to calculations, in May 2026, the China Express Development Index was 472.9, an increase of 3.1% year-on-year. Among them, the development scale index was 644.5, an increase of 7% year-on-year; the service quality index was 676.8, which was basically flat with the same period last year; the development capacity index was 234.7, an increase of 3.3% year-on-year; and the development trend index was 60.6. In May, the industry continued to expand, the service system became more diversified, facility networks were optimized and upgraded, and the role of supporting and guaranteeing the real economy became increasingly prominent. Figure 1 China Express Development Index from May 2024 to May 2026 In May, the development scale index was 644.5, an increase of 7% year-on-year. Looking at the specific indicators, the estimated year-on-year growth of express business volume in May is around 6%, and the estimated year-on-year growth of express business revenue is around 8.5%. In May, express companies focused on market demands such as e-commerce promotions, coordinated the allocation of core resources such as personnel and capacity, strengthened key area and key scene service capabilities, continuously expanded the breadth and depth of technological innovation applications, and efficiently guaranteed the upward trend of seasonal shipments such as lychee and cherries. With the strong support of multiple demands and precise full-chain services, the industry's business scale grew rapidly, with daily average express business volume exceeding 600 million pieces for three consecutive weeks. In May, the service quality index was 676.8, basically on par with the same period last year. Looking at the specific indicators, the public satisfaction with express services is expected to be 84.8 points. The on-time delivery rate for key areas within 72 hours is expected to be 86.6%, an increase of 0.5 percentage points year-on-year. The industry deepened its multi-scenario service expansion, accelerated the landing of new models and equipment, and steadily improved service quality. Firstly, there is efficient development in the combination of "express delivery + modern agriculture". Express companies continue to build a new three-dimensional logistics pattern of "air + high-speed rail + land transport", improve the efficiency of mainline intermodal transportation, orderly expand drone delivery routes, solve logistics bottlenecks in remote and characteristic agricultural areas, improve the stability and delivery efficiency of agricultural products, move sorting vehicles directly into the production areas, achieve near-site sorting, instant loading, and minimize transfer losses to the maximum; set up professional collection teams, invest in gas-regulated freshness boxes to ensure the freshness of cherries; and establish production base warehouses in Guangdong, Hainan, Chongqing, and other places to complete the entire process of grading, selection, packaging, and shipping in one stop. Secondly, there is a deepening integration of "express delivery + culture and tourism". Express companies deepen their cultivation of the culture and tourism market and enrich service formats. Leveraging the thousand-year history of Guanli, they are creating ancient lychee cultural theme stations, building an integrated development system of "cultural tourism attraction + convenient delivery + industry support", allowing the thousand-year lychee culture to spread widely through modern logistics. They set up smart delivery devices in scenic spots, hotels, and transportation hubs, allowing tourists to easily send packages with just a touch, truly allowing tourists to travel light and send good items with ease. Thirdly, there is optimization and innovation in service models. Express companies continually extend their service territory and continuously enhance their emerging scene service capabilities. They iteratively upgrade end-point service models, introduce integrated collection and delivery services, not only reducing user time cost but also improving the efficiency of frontline collection and delivery operations. In May, the development capacity index was 234.7, an increase of 3.3% year-on-year. The industry's network layout continues to be optimized, and the transfer capacity reaches a new level. Firstly, the basic infrastructure continues to improve. Express companies put the Panjin Transfer Center into operation, and the construction of Quanzhou Smart Logistics Park, Minnan-Taiwan Express Headquarters, and Fujian (Quanzhou) Science and Technology Industrial Park progresses in an orderly manner, comprehensively enhancing the region's distribution and radiating capacity. Secondly, air transport capacity is steadily increasing. Express companies officially put the Ezhou Huahu International Airport Public International Cargo Station into use, launched the international function of the Jiaxing Aviation Logistics Hub, opened the "Jiaxing-Dhaka" all-cargo airline route, and continuously extended the coverage of aviation radii. In May, the development trend index was 60.6. The industry continues to improve its basic infrastructure, expand innovative service scenarios, and simultaneously improve service quality and operational efficiency. In June, with favorable conditions such as concentrated e-commerce promotions, the industry's development momentum is expected to further release. This article is selected from the "State Post Bureau" official account, edited by GMTEight: Jiang Yuanhua.