Taobao Expands Global Free Shipping to 12 Countries for 618 Push; Cainiao's Parcel Volume Soars 80% in Brazil
Latest Dynamics of Logistics & Supply Chains in China's eCom
Here’s our pick for last week’s news:
Taobao Expands Global Free Shipping to 12 Countries for 618 Push
US-China Tariff Truce Sparks Freight Frenzy
Cainiao's Parcel Volume Soars 80% in Brazil
China Southern Cargo Tops 606,500 Tons Through April
First Chinese Cargo Flights Land at East Midlands
Scotland's First China Freighter Route Debuts
China Expands Global Air Freight Reach
EU Targets Shein, Temu With New €2 Import Fee
Japan Eyes Tax Shift on China E-Commerce
China Surge Lures KMTC Back to Transpacific
Taobao Expands Global Free Shipping to 12 Countries for 618 Push
Taobao is doubling down on global e-commerce this 618 shopping festival, expanding its Global Free Shipping Program to 12 countries and regions—including Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Australia—in a bid to drive cross-border growth. Shoppers in these markets will benefit from perks like free shipping on qualifying orders and local return services. Nearly one million merchants have signed up for the 2025 Tmall Overseas 618 event, the most ever. From May 16–19 alone, over 50,000 sellers in Taobao and Tmall's "Go Global" initiative saw their overseas sales double year-over-year, highlighting China's rising clout in international digital retail. (ebrun)
US-China Tariff Truce Sparks Freight Frenzy
A 90-day US-China tariff pause has unleashed a rush to ship stockpiled Chinese goods, with up to 540,000 TEU of delayed cargo flooding transpacific lanes. Sea-Intelligence warns this surge—driven by importers racing the August 14 deadline—could spike demand up to 48%, straining already tight capacity and driving rates higher. While East Coast routes are ramping up, West Coast space remains down, and analysts say added capacity may come too late to ease the squeeze. (The Loadstar)
Cainiao's Parcel Volume Soars 80% in Brazil
Alibaba logistics arm Cainiao is gaining ground in the Americas, with cross-border parcel volumes to Brazil surging over 80% in April and shipments to the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico accelerating further in mid-May. Marking its first year in Mexico this March, Cainiao now offers three-day delivery nationwide and two-day service in key metro areas. To keep pace with soaring demand, it has also upgraded major U.S. distribution centers in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Chicago—boosting e-commerce fulfillment efficiency with tech-powered logistics. (Cainiao)
China Southern Cargo Tops 606,500 Tons Through April
China Southern Airlines is maintaining strong cargo momentum, transporting 157,600 tons of freight and mail in April—a slight dip from March but a 7.4% jump YoY. From January to April, total volume hit 606,500 tons, up 4.5% from last year. The carrier's strategy of boosting flights on high-demand routes and opening new cargo connections to Europe, the U.S., and Asia-Pacific has been pivotal in sustaining growth amid a competitive market. (BY56.com)
First Chinese Cargo Flights Land at East Midlands
East Midlands Airport has welcomed its first direct cargo flights from China, sealing deals with Zongteng's YunExpress and Central Airlines to launch twice-weekly services starting May 13. The move, marked by a ceremony with Chinese officials, makes East Midlands the first UK airport served by these Chinese operators. The partnerships signal a long-term expansion of China-UK air freight, with plans to scale up. U.S.-based Atlas Air and Ethiopian Cargo have also joined the airport's growing cargo roster, as East Midlands pushes to become Britain's top express freight hub. (STAT Times)
Scotland's First China Freighter Route Debuts
In a milestone for UK-China trade, Glasgow Prestwick Airport has launched Scotland's first direct scheduled freighter service with China, as China Southern Air Logistics began flights from Guangzhou on May 16. The service, now running four times a week and expected to go daily, doubles Prestwick's freighter traffic and signals growing interest in the airport as a cargo hub. (STAT Times)
China Expands Global Air Freight Reach
China is rapidly expanding its global air cargo footprint, launching 288 new freight routes between January 2024 and April 2025. Of these, 243 are international routes spanning six continents, with Asia accounting for nearly half, followed by 88 to Europe and 29 to North America. The surge underscores China's push to dominate cross-border e-commerce logistics, with parcels, electronics, and general cargo leading the cargo mix—cementing the country's role as a key engine in global air freight. (China Daily)
EU Targets Shein, Temu With New €2 Import Fee
EU is set to slap a €2 (roughly $2.27) handling fee on every parcel entering the EU from online retailers, aiming to rein in a flood of low-value imports—91% of which now come from China, led by platforms like Shein and Temu. The proposed fee, part of a sweeping customs reform, targets the 4.6 billion parcels processed last year—double 2023's volume—and would fund stricter checks on compliance with EU rules. Retailers, not customers, would bear the cost, while packages shipped from EU-based warehouses would incur a lower €0.50 charge. The plan still needs approval from EU governments and Parliament. (Reuters)
Japan Eyes Tax Shift on China E-Commerce
Japan is poised to scrap its ¥10,000 (roughly $69) tax exemption on low-value imports as part of its 2026 tax reform, a move aimed squarely at fast-growing Chinese e-commerce giants who've outpaced local retailers by exploiting the loophole. The exemption currently shields foreign goods from Japan's 10% Consumption Tax and customs duties, but officials say it's undercutting domestic competition. The reform mirrors broader regional shifts—Vietnam is considering similar changes, the EU plans to end its €150 (roughly $170) threshold by 2028, and the U.S. axed its $800 de minimis for Chinese imports earlier this month. (VAT Calc)
China Surge Lures KMTC Back to Transpacific
South Korea's KMTC Line is returning to the transpacific trade after 40 years, joining Dubai-based SeaLead and Hong Kong-based TS Lines on a revamped Asia–U.S. West Coast service launching June 17. The route, calling at major Chinese ports and Long Beach, comes amid soaring China-U.S. demand and a tariff truce that pushed rates up over 30%. KMTC is also backing a new Asia–Mexico service, betting big on booming China-linked trade lanes. (The Loadstar)