On June 23, Cainiao made a significant advancement in its global logistics network by establishing a cross-border logistics network for parcel delivery between the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries in the Middle East, with deliveries taking as little as three days.
This marks a major breakthrough in Cainiao's G2G (global to global, inter-country transportation and delivery) logistics service capabilities, following its efforts in providing local delivery services for China’s imports and exports as well as key overseas markets.
The GCC countries—UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia—are among the most economically dynamic and consumer-active regions globally, making them a hotspot for cross-border e-commerce and logistics. Cainiao’s G2G logistics service in the Middle East Gulf region caters to the customized logistics needs of local e-commerce platforms and cross-border e-commerce sellers. By using a centralized stocking and regional distribution model, the service significantly reduces cross-border logistics costs, helping businesses improve their competitiveness in the local market. Specifically, a combination of air and ground services offers flexible solutions to meet market demands: efficient air transport delivers in as fast as 3 days, while economical ground transport reaches all areas within 6-8 days, with major cities seeing average delivery times of 5 days. The average cost per kilogram is USD 1 less than the market average.
In addition to the Middle East, Cainiao’s global logistics network spans many countries, marking an important step for Chinese logistics companies in their internationalization efforts. Unlike domestic traditional logistics companies that primarily compete on price and network density, Cainiao has seized market opportunities with its large-scale overseas logistics network, creating a competitive barrier that is difficult to replicate. Currently, Cainiao has achieved scaled implementation of its “Global 5-Day Delivery” in 14 countries, covering Europe, America, and Asia. Compared to 2022 and 2024, overall delivery times have been reduced by 50%. The international logistics sector, once dominated by European and American giants, is quietly changing as Chinese logistics companies like Cainiao rise to prominence.
Founded in 2013, Cainiao is the core logistics platform under the Alibaba Group ecosystem and the world’s largest cross-border e-commerce logistics service provider. Its business includes international express delivery, international supply chains, and local overseas services.