When it Comes to Online Shopping, Two China Firms Are Making Sure Hong Kong Delivers

By Yang Jing and Denise Jia

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A rider for SF Intra-City in Shenyang, Liaoning province, on July 5, 2023

Two Chinese firms are poised to transform Hong Kong’s express delivery market with significant expansion plans.

Hangzhou SF Intra-City, a unit of Shenzhen-based delivery giant SF Express, announced on June 26 that it will launch its “SoFast” brand in Hong Kong in July, focusing on non-food instant delivery services. The company is recruiting riders, offering an hourly pay up to HK $300 ($38.4).

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Hangzhou SF Intra-City and Cainiao Network Technology are major Chinese firms expanding in Hong Kong's express delivery market, with plans for rapid delivery services and guaranteed delivery times.
Hong Kong’s delivery sector has experienced significant growth, with the transport, warehouse, postal, and express delivery services seeing a 19.5% year-on-year increase in early 2023.
The Hong Kong government is focusing on developing a modern logistics system to boost efficiency and meet the rising e-commerce demand.

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Who’s Who

Hangzhou SF Intra-City: Hangzhou SF Intra-City, a unit of Shenzhen-based SF Express, will launch its "SoFast" brand in Hong Kong in July, focusing on non-food instant delivery services. The company is recruiting riders with hourly pay up to HK $300 ($38.4).

Cainiao Network Technology Co. Ltd.: Cainiao Network Technology Co. Ltd., Alibaba’s logistics arm, has expanded its presence in Hong Kong. Despite withdrawing its Hong Kong IPO in March, Cainiao launched a campaign in July 2023, guaranteeing next-day delivery from mainland warehouses or compensating for delays. It ensures over 2.6 billion goods on the Alibaba’s Taobao platform meet strict delivery deadlines, with compensation for any late shipments.

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What Happened When

July 2023：: Cainiao launched a campaign in Hong Kong, promising packages from Cainiao’s mainland warehouses would reach Hong Kong pick-up points or users by the next day, with compensation for late arrivals.

October 2023：: SF Express upgraded its consolidated transportation services, promising door-to-door, same-day arrival for Hong Kong and Macau users. Jingdong Logistics followed suit, enhancing its express services to offer four-hour deliveries and extending night deliveries until 10 p.m.

November 4, 2023：: Lam Sai-hung, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, highlighted the government’s commitment to developing Hong Kong as an international smart logistics hub in his blog.

March 2024：: Cainiao withdrew its Hong Kong IPO.

June 26, 2024：: Hangzhou SF Intra-City announced it will launch its 'SoFast' brand in Hong Kong in July 2024, focusing on non-food instant delivery services.

June 27, 2024：: Alibaba’s Cainiao Network Technology Co. Ltd. announced that more than 2.6 billion goods on the Hong Kong site of Alibaba’s Taobao e-commerce platform will have a guaranteed delivery time in Hong Kong, with compensation for shipping costs if deadlines are missed.

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