On March 1, 2024, the express delivery industry ushered in a new regulation aimed at improving the quality of service and respecting the consumer's right to choose. According to this new regulation, express delivery companies must obtain the explicit consent of customers before placing express parcels at express delivery points or smart drop stations. If this provision is violated, the courier company will face a fine of up to 30,000 yuan. Although the introduction of this measure has caused widespread discussion and different responses, its core purpose is to protect the rights and interests of consumers and ensure that express delivery services are more humane and convenient.
First of all, this new regulation does not mean that courier companies must deliver goods to their doors unconditionally. Instead, it highlights that courier companies cannot default to leaving parcels at courier stations without the explicit consent of the consumer. This adds a step of confirmation to ensure that consumers are able to participate in the process of express delivery, thus avoiding unnecessary hassles and misunderstandings.
However, this regulation has also sparked concern among couriers, many of whom have complained that their wages and commissions have been affected due to the implementation of the new rules, and some have even chosen to quit their jobs as a result. They argue that the amount of fines far exceeds their income, which makes the job no longer cost-effective. However, this is actually a problem that courier companies should solve, how to balance fines with employee income, rather than the decline in revenue caused by the new regulations themselves.
For consumers, the impact of the new regulations is also two-sided. Some people are happy to receive a home delivery service for bulky items because then they don't have to bother carrying heavy loads up stairs themselves. While others are worried that it will be very troublesome to receive ** from the courier when they are not at home due to work or other reasons.
More worryingly, the new regulations may lead to an increase in the cost of courier services, which in turn will lead to an increase in courier fees. This can lead to online purchases*** ultimately increasing the burden on consumers. While not placing express parcels at a post station may increase employment opportunities, it can also lead to price increases**.
For those who think it is very convenient to leave their parcel at the post station, the new regulations do not completely eliminate this option. As long as the consumer's consent is obtained, or the consumer directly selects the post station address when placing an order, the express delivery can still be placed at the post station.
In general, home delivery is the basic responsibility of a courier company. During the epidemic, in order to avoid contact and reduce the risk of virus transmission, many couriers were placed at post stations. But with the easing of the epidemic, if the express service is still all placed in the post station, then the service provided by the express company will lose its essential meaning. The courier fee includes the service fee and the shipping fee, and if the parcel is not delivered to the home, but is placed at the post station, then the role of the courier company is more like that of a logistics company. Still, if the consumer does not have time or is not at home, it is still a viable option to have it delivered at the post station, but home delivery is still the core promise of the courier service. The new express delivery regulations will come into force on March 1