Cainiao Network, the smart logistics arm of e-commerce firm Alibaba Group, took measures to address cross-border logistics bottlenecks due to the current Covid-19 outbreaks. It introduced measures to tackle glitches in four key aspects of import and export, namely warehouses, Customs clearance, cross-border shipping, and delivery, the company said. The move aims to ensure a stable and smooth global supply chain and to shore up foreign trade in an orderly manner, especially as vendors are prepping for the upcoming June 18 shopping festival, a mid-year shopping gala embraced by many Chinese consumers and brands.
“Amid the uncertainties brought about by the pandemic, Cainiao will work with its logistics partners to leverage sea, land and air transportation capabilities, allowing goods by Chinese cross-border merchants to cross the border smoothly,” said James Zhao, General Manager of Cainiao’s global supply chain. For goods to be imported via the Shanghai port, Cainiao will offer services to transfer them to Qingdao and Ningbo ports. It will also provide alternative air routes from overseas destinations to Chinese cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing and Wuhan.
The company promised to coordinate with local Customs agencies to expedite Customs declaration procedures delayed by the pandemic and ensure the completion of the task within one to two days. In light of the current hurdles in overland transportation caused by the local resurgence, Cainiao said it will help fleets obtain transportation permission and provide water transport in place of land transportation under certain circumstances. It will also use its intelligent distribution system to allocate goods across various warehouses in the country to minimize risks such as partial lockdowns.
On the export front, Cainiao said it operated China-U.S. sea freight with a shipping capacity of 3,000 to 4,000 TEU per month. Cainiao will prioritize its airline resources to export merchants. Exporters who are affected by the pandemic and require cargo space can apply for Cainiao’s services. Cainiao has aggregated over 3,600 trucking routes from East China and various districts to Shanghai port, offering guaranteed container services and air cargo capacity for merchants, the China Daily reports.
