Current Status of Last-Mile Delivery in Southeast Asia: Which is More Efficient – J&T, J&T Express, Ninja Van, or Lazada Express?

Current Status of Last-Mile Delivery in Southeast Asia: Which is More Efficient – J&T, J&T Express, Ninja Van, or Lazada Express?
(Focusing on Competition Among Local Logistics Providers in Emerging Markets)

Introduction: The Boom and Challenges of E-commerce Logistics in Southeast Asia

By 2025, the e-commerce market in Southeast Asia is projected to exceed $300 billion, but logistics efficiency remains the biggest bottleneck. Data shows that consumer expectations for delivery times have shortened from 5-7 days in 2020 to within 3 days, while order cancellation rates due to last-mile delivery issues are as high as 25%.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of four major local last-mile delivery providers in Southeast Asia—J&T Express, J&T Express (Jitu), Ninja Van, and Lazada Express—across five key dimensions: price, speed, coverage, digital capabilities, and special services, helping sellers optimize their logistics strategies.

I. Comprehensive Comparison of the Four Providers (2025 Latest Data)

Note: Data based on Q2 2025 Southeast Asia e-commerce logistics report (1-5kg parcels, B2C residential deliveries).

II. Detailed Breakdown by Category

1. Pricing: Who Offers the Best Value?

• J&T Express (Jitu) is the Cheapest:
  • $1.2 for a 1kg domestic parcel in Indonesia (Ninja Van: $1.8).
  • Cross-border services (e.g., China→SEA) require additional duty prepayment fees.
• J&T Express’s Cost-Effective Options:
  • $3.5 for a 2kg parcel from Malaysia to Thailand (Ninja Van: $4.2).
  • Offers “Economy” service (1-day delay, 15% cheaper).
• Lazada Express’s Platform Advantage:
  • Free shipping for Lazada sellers on orders over $50.

Case Study:
A 2kg electronics shipment from Jakarta to Bangkok:

• J&T Express: $3.5
• J&T Express (Jitu): $3.2 (+$1.5 duties)
• Ninja Van: $4.2
• Lazada Express: $3.8 (Lazada orders only)

2. Speed: Who Delivers Faster?

• J&T Express’s “72-Hour Network”:
  • Core routes (e.g., Indonesia→Philippines, Vietnam→Thailand) in 2 days.
  • Remote islands (e.g., outer Java) in 3-4 days.
• J&T Express (Jitu)’s China Advantage:
  • 3-day delivery from Yiwu, China to Malaysia (using proprietary air fleet).
  • Less stable local SEA network vs. J&T Express.
• Ninja Van’s Last-Mile Innovation:
  • 2-hour express delivery in central Bangkok (90% coverage).

2025 Speed Rankings for Key Routes:

1. J&T Express (Indonesia→Malaysia: 2 days)
2. J&T Express (Jitu) (China→Thailand: 3 days)
3. Ninja Van (Singapore→Vietnam: 3 days)
4. Lazada Express (Malaysia domestic: 4 days)

3. Coverage: Who Reaches Rural Areas and Islands?

• J&T Express’s Deep Network:
  • 100% coverage in Indonesia, including remote Papua.
  • Relies on third parties in Cambodia/Laos.
• Ninja Van’s Urban Focus:
  • Same-day delivery in Metro Manila, but Mindanao takes 5 days.
• Lazada Express’s Limitations:
  • Only serves 5 Lazada markets (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam).

III. Special Services Comparison

1. Cash on Delivery (COD)

2. Technology Innovations

• J&T’s AI Routing:
  • Avoids congestion (e.g., Jakarta monsoon floods).
  • Real-time driver GPS tracking for sellers.
• J&T (Jitu)’s Crowdsourcing:
  • Uses motorbike riders in Vietnam for peak demand.
• Ninja Van’s API Integration:
  • Auto-syncs logistics status with Shopee/TikTok Shop.

IV. Recommendations by Scenario

1. By Shipment Type

• Speed-critical: J&T Express (most reliable for core routes)
• China-SEA cross-border: J&T Express (Jitu) (air freight advantage)
• COD-heavy: Lazada Express (lowest rejection rate)
• Sale events: Ninja Van (crowdsourced scalability)

2. By Market

• Indonesia/Malaysia: J&T Express
• Thailand/Vietnam: J&T (Jitu) + Ninja Van combo
• Lazada sellers: Lazada Express (seamless integration)

3. Peak Season Strategies

• Pre-book capacity: J&T/Ninja Van “Peak Season Guarantee” (20% off fees).
• Diversify carriers: Allocate 30% volume to J&T (Jitu)’s crowdsourced network.

V. Future Trends: 2026 Outlook

1. Drone Delivery Trials: J&T testing in Bali for island logistics.
2. Green Logistics: Ninja Van deploying electric tricycles in Thailand.
3. Super App Integration: Lazada Express to support Alipay Global settlements.

Conclusion: Quick Reference Guide

Data shows: Sellers using matched strategies reduced 2025 logistics costs by 20% and cut cancellations by 30%.