China has unveiled tougher regulations to curb excessive packaging in its booming express delivery sector, stepping up efforts to cut waste and promote greener consumer habits.
The State Post Bureau announced on Thursday that from next month, new rules will require courier firms and e-commerce platforms to limit the use of oversized boxes, reduce single-use plastics, and increase the share of recyclable materials in their packaging. Companies failing to comply could face fines or administrative penalties.
The move comes as China grapples with mounting waste generated by its online shopping industry, the largest in the world. More than 120 billion parcels were delivered across the country in 2023, according to official figures, with packaging waste from cardboard and tape to plastic fillers becoming a major environmental challenge.
“The express delivery industry has grown at breakneck speed, but this has also led to serious resource waste and environmental pressure,” the bureau said in a statement. “These new rules aim to push companies toward more sustainable practices.”
Under the updated regulations, businesses must standardise parcel sizes, avoid unnecessary double packaging, and expand the use of biodegradable alternatives. E-commerce giants such as Alibaba’s Taobao and JD.com are expected to play a key role, as they account for the bulk of the nation’s deliveries.
Environmental groups welcomed the crackdown but urged stronger enforcement. “China is right to focus on packaging waste it’s one of the most visible symbols of the environmental cost of convenience,” said Li Wen, an analyst at the Beijing Green Development Institute. “But implementation will be the real test, as smaller courier firms often cut corners to save costs.”
The new rules also align with China’s broader green development agenda, which includes pledges to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060.
Industry analysts say the policy could reshape logistics practices, with companies investing in reusable packaging models and return schemes. Some pilot programmes already allow customers to hand back delivery boxes for reuse, but uptake has so far been limited.
With e-commerce continuing to surge, Beijing hopes the new measures will ensure the country’s digital shopping boom does not come at the expense of its environmental goals.