由 caicai8478 The international logistics subsidy policies introduced by China in recent years have had a significant impact on the cross-border logistics industry, especially on the competitive landscape of low-cost logistics channels. The following is a key analysis:
- Local government logistics subsidy policies reduce corporate costs
Hangzhou “Capacity Voucher”: Hangzhou has set up a 30 million yuan fund pool to subsidize cross-border e-commerce logistics costs. A single company can apply for a maximum of 1 million yuan per year, and the subsidy ratio does not exceed 5% of the logistics contract costs2.
Zhuhai Cross-border Logistics Subsidy: Cross-border freight through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is subsidized by 200-800 yuan per vehicle, and the warehousing subsidy is up to 1 million yuan/year, encouraging companies to optimize the supply chain layout4.
Linyi International Logistics Support: Special subsidies are given to cross-border e-commerce logistics service providers, international highway assembly centers, etc. to reduce corporate logistics costs6.
These policies directly reduce the logistics costs of enterprises, allowing some sellers who originally relied on low-cost channels to turn to compliant and efficient logistics service providers, thereby reducing their dependence on pure low-cost logistics.
- Subsidy policies promote logistics model upgrades
Overseas warehouse layout accelerates: For example, Hangzhou’s subsidy policy encourages companies to use overseas warehouses, reducing the direct mail model’s reliance on small package logistics2.
Multimodal transport optimizes costs: Zhuhai’s policies support cross-border integrated logistics service facilities, promote “sea-rail transport” and “air-to-air transfer” models, improve logistics efficiency and reduce long-term costs45.
- Low-cost logistics channels face compliance challenges
After the United States canceled the tax-free policy below $800, the cost of the low-cost direct mail model increased, and the subsidy policy helped compliant logistics companies to provide more competitive prices37.
The EU carbon tariff (effective in 2025) makes low-cost logistics companies that lack carbon emission management capabilities face additional costs, while compliant logistics companies supported by subsidies have more advantages1.
- Industry impact: The market share of low-cost channels is squeezed
Subsidy policies enable compliant logistics companies (such as SF Express, DHL agents, etc.) to provide freight rates closer to low-cost channels while ensuring timeliness and customs clearance compliance110.
Small and medium-sized sellers are gradually turning to subsidy-supported logistics solutions to reduce their reliance on purely low-cost, high-risk logistics channels710.
Conclusion
China’s international logistics subsidy policy has reduced corporate costs while promoting the industry to develop in a compliant and efficient manner, compressing the market space for low-cost logistics channels. In the future, as more regions introduce similar policies, low-cost logistics may be further integrated or eliminated, and the industry will transform to a cost-effective, full-link service model.