Chongqing- Postal delivery via China Railway Express to Europe (Yuxinou) has increased in frequency to twice a week, according to the International Logistics Hub Park on February 24. 

Chongqing broke the ban on postal delivery via international railways imposed by the Organisation for Cooperation Between Railways (OSJD) and became a national-level pilot city of postal delivery via international railways. As early as 2017, Chongqing has already realized regular transportation of international packages via China Railway Express (CR Express).

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Chongqing has become a city in charge of domestic emergency international package transportation. In 2021, more than 4.2 million packages were exported via CR Express from the Railway Port Center for the International Mail Exchange Bureau, with the cargo value reaching nearly 25 million U.S. dollars.

In 2021, the State Council approved Chongqing of piloting greater openness in the service sector, and construction of the domestic collection and distribution center of CR Express for mail and express mail was designated as a priority task.

China Railway Express (Chongqing) to Europe. (iChongqing file photo)

With the Port and Logistics Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government and Chongqing Municipal Postal Administration playing the leading role, the task was mainly undertaken by Shapingba District and Chongqing Xiyong Comprehensive Bonded Zone under the support of Chongqing Customs District. 

In mid-February, Chongqing Municipal Postal Administration exchanged views with Shapingba District on such issues as promoting the postal and express project and supporting the improvement of related infrastructure. The two sides agreed to jointly guide enterprises to improve the overseas network layout, focusing on strengthening the service network of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and further expanding intercontinental overseas markets.

They also decided to deepen cooperation in other aspects, including advancing large-scale postal delivery and regular express delivery, building channels for international multi-modal transportation, ensuring efficient delivery of imported drugs, facilitating express delivery through high-speed railways, and building a cold chain logistics system.

The relevant head of Chongqing Municipal Postal Administration introduced that the city will put effort into five aspects for international mail transportation.

First, Chongqing plans to set up a working group on express delivery via CR Express. Second, the city will continue carrying out the import-export test of express delivery via CR Express and promote the regular pilot scheme and regular transportation of packages via CR Express. Third, the city will strive to decentralize the limits of authority for examining and approving international express business operation licenses. Fourth, it is slated to prepare a research program to construct a demonstration project for the Center of the CR Express and endeavor to include construction of a domestic collection and distribution center for mail and express mail in the project library. Last, the city will further strengthen the construction of the Railway Port Center for the International Mail Exchange Bureau and support the construction of the Center of the CR Express.