Pinduoduo and SF Express HK terminate shipping collaboration

Chinese eCommerce platform Pinduoduo has ended its logistics partnership with SF Express Hong Kong, which draw mixed reactions from netizens and shoppers which have bought items on Pingduoduo. 

A Pinduoduo's customer services representative and SF Express confirmed to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that SF Express's contract for Hong Kong consolidated shipping services expired on 30 June, with SF Express Hong Kong thus ceasing local logistics support for Pinduoduo orders.

The representative added that affected orders would be automatically reassigned to alternative courier services for delivery.

A check by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE found that previously functional pickup locations now display an error message: "The logistics company to which this self-pickup point belongs does not support the transportation of this product. Please select an alternative collection point to complete your order."

Since late last year, Pinduoduo and SF Express had jointly operated an official consolidated shipping with free shipping to Hong Kong" (官方集運包郵到港) service. This initiative enabled local customers to purchase mainland Chinese goods with complimentary delivery to more than 1,500 self-collection points, according to ezone.com. By waiving shipping fees irrespective of order value, the service substantially improved convenience for cross-border shoppers.

The termination has sparked consumer concerns after a Xiaohongshu post revealed the issue yesterday. The post has garnered around 600 likes, with netizens expressing worries over in-transit parcels and disappointment over the partnership’s end, according to a check by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE.

Prior to this change, Pinduoduo’s designated consolidated shipping partners included SF Express, Shenzhou, AFL, and Princess, according to hk01.com. With SF Express no longer servicing Hong Kong orders, speculation has arisen over potential adjustments to brand’s free shipping policy for the region.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Pinduoduo and SF Express for more information.

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