China Sets 2030 Targets for Postal Sector in 15th Five-Year Plan

China’s government has released the 15th Five-Year Plan for Postal Sector Development, setting 12 principal targets for 2030, including raising total postal industry revenue to 2.4 trillion yuan and handling 290 billion parcels. The joint policy mandates an 88% full automation rate at major processing centers, 90% coverage for village postal stations, and an 80% green packaging adoption rate, while pushing for artificial intelligence deployment and expanding international routes.

The strategic plan serves as a roadmap for upgrading China's physical circulation infrastructure, reinforcing domestic consumption networks, and boosting supply chain efficiency through automation and rural logistics expansion.

China has unveiled its national strategic blueprint for the postal and express delivery sector under the 15th Five-Year Plan, setting key quantitative targets for 2030 alongside long-term goals extending to 2035. Jointly released by the State Post Bureau, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the Ministry of Transport, the policy framework outlines 12 core performance metrics spanning market scale, service quality, logistics network integration, innovation, and industry governance. According to statements by Hu Kai, spokesperson and director of policy and regulations at the State Post Bureau, the sector aims to achieve total annual business revenue of 2.4 trillion yuan by 2030. Within this figure, express delivery revenue is targeted to reach 2.0 trillion yuan, driven by an annual postal delivery volume of 290 billion pieces, including 270 billion express parcels. The policy prioritizes bridging urban-rural logistics divides. By 2030, China plans to establish postal service stations in 90% of administrative villages and ensure that 90% of villages receive mail deliveries at least five times a week. The plan also emphasizes integrated passenger-cargo-postal transportation models and county-level public distribution hubs to bolster rural commerce and consumption. Technological advancement and sustainability represent major pillars of the strategic plan. Top express enterprises, measured by the CR8 market concentration index, are required to increase research and development spending by an average of 8% annually. The plan sets an 88% full automation threshold for major processing hubs and calls for establishing dedicated artificial intelligence research centers. On environmental and safety fronts, express firms are expected to attain an 80% green packaging adoption rate, while keeping production safety incidents below 0.5 cases per billion items processed. Looking ahead to 2035, Chinese regulators aim to cultivate globally competitive logistics firms capable of expanding international network coverage to 110 countries and regions. Official statements emphasize that strengthening delivery infrastructure will play a pivotal role in unifying the domestic market, building modern supply chains, and supporting broader economic circulation.