Cainiao


Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Limited, formerly known as China Smart Logistics Network, is a Chinese logistics company launched by Alibaba Group, jointly with eight other companies, on 28 May 2013. On March 26, 2024, Alibaba, which holds approximately 64% of Cainiao's shares, said it would acquire the remaining 36% of Cainiao's shares. As of May 2018, Cainiao was one of the largest unicorn companies in China, valued at 100 billion yuan.
Cainiao ensures delivery within 24 hours to any region of China. The company also shares resources with other logistics companies.

Etymology

The name Cainao combines the Chinese words and, as part of a metaphor meaning "the bird that only eats legumes." An animal like this would be considered weak, clumsy, or underdeveloped. Thus, "Càiniǎo" could be translated as an inexperienced, novice, or beginner entity, which in the Chinese context has a positive connotation of humility and willingness to learn.

Services

Cainiao Station

Cainiao operates a network of courier pick-up points known as Cainiao Stations across the Chinese mainland. These stations are strategically situated in residential neighborhoods and on university campuses, serving functions akin to traditional post offices. When a courier package is destined for a location within a Cainiao Station's service area, it is rerouted to the station and stored there. Recipients are notified to collect their packages, which are organized on numerical shelves and assigned a unique 4-digit code as they enter the station. Customers can locate their package using this code, and after finding it, they scan it at a self-service checkout machine to complete the pickup. Additionally, some Cainiao Stations provide services for sending packages.

Cainiao Express

Cainiao Express is a courier service. Customers can ship packages and documents by requesting a pickup through the Cainiao app. Cainiao can also be used as one of the shipping methods when selling items on Xianyu, a classified ads and online shopping app for used goods. Cainiao also provides return shipping for items bought on Taobao.