China unveils 2026 postal reforms

China has announced a set of priorities to enhance postal and express delivery services in 2026, with a focus on fairer access in rural areas and stronger protections for couriers. This initiative highlights the crucial role of the country's extensive logistics network in everyday life and consumer activity.

The State Post Bureau of China revealed these measures on Friday in Beijing. According to Liu Ying, a spokeswoman for the bureau, the initiatives aim to make delivery services more convenient and equitable while addressing ongoing public concerns in rural communities and the rapidly expanding courier workforce.

A significant priority is addressing illegal charges imposed on rural residents when collecting parcels. Although express delivery coverage has rapidly expanded across China, uneven last-mile services in some villages have led to unauthorized fees. Liu noted that a nationwide campaign in 2025 significantly reduced such practices, and regulators will enhance oversight and complaint-handling mechanisms this year to prevent their recurrence.

Improving delivery access in remote and less-developed regions is another focus. Authorities plan to expand the use of China's postal universal service network — a State-backed system ensuring nationwide basic coverage — to support express deliveries in rural areas. In 2025, pilot programs in the Xizang autonomous region enabled express parcels to be delivered to villages through this system, with more than 6 million parcels reaching rural households, more than double the previous year's total. Similar trials are expected to extend to parts of central and western China.

Working conditions for couriers also feature prominently in the 2026 agenda. The sector employs millions of delivery workers, many of whom face challenges such as restricted access to residential compounds, limited charging facilities for electric delivery vehicles, and a lack of rest spaces. Liu said that regulators will collaborate with other government departments to promote more "courier-friendly" communities, while encouraging companies to enhance labor protections and safeguard workers' rights.

With the Spring Festival travel rush approaching, which begins on Monday and will end on March 13 — a peak period for both mobility and parcel volumes — the bureau has issued guidance to ensure delivery services remain stable during the holiday, while protecting couriers' rights to rest, overtime pay, and holiday allowances.

China's postal and express delivery sector continues to expand significantly. In 2025, the industry generated combined business revenue of nearly 1.8 trillion yuan ($259 billion), up 6.1 percent year-on-year, while total parcel and mail volume reached 216.5 billion items, an increase of 11.8 percent. Liu said service quality continued to improve, providing a stronger foundation for further reforms aimed at balancing efficiency, fairness, and worker protection.