A decade ago, the idea that a Chinese logistics company would employ its own uniformed couriers in Riyadh, Rotterdam and Paris — delivering washing machines, collecting cash on delivery and offering same-day slots — would have sounded far-fetched. In 2026, it is a documented fact of the market. JINGDONG Logistics, the supply chain arm of JD.com (HKEX: 2618 — JD Logistics, Inc.), has moved decisively beyond cross-border line-haul into self-operated local delivery in selected overseas markets, and the expansion offers a useful case study in how Asian logistics groups are internationalizing.
The Saudi blueprint: a fully self-operated chain
The clearest evidence came in June 2025, when JINGDONG Logistics launched JoyExpress, its self-operated B2C express delivery service, in Saudi Arabia. Covering most regions of the Kingdom, JoyExpress provides doorstep delivery as fast as same-day or next-day, with cash-on-delivery, scheduled deliveries, address changes, temporary return storage, reverse pickups and insurance coverage. Fulfillment is handled by in-house couriers in branded uniforms, supported by a network of local warehouses, transfer and sorting centers, and a growing number of delivery stations.
The commercial logic is straightforward. Saudi Arabia's courier, express and parcel market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.48 percent from 2025 to 2030, with B2C shipments already accounting for 56 percent of market value in 2024, according to Mordor Intelligence. A market that size, in a country where cash on delivery remains common, rewards providers who control the last mile themselves rather than subcontracting it.
Europe: sixty warehouses and a retail launch
Europe followed. In February 2026, JD.com announced JoyExpress as its dedicated delivery service for the continent, with teams based in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and France. The service offers same-day and next-day delivery in major cities and operates from more than 60 warehouses and depots across Europe, using a fleet of trucks, vans and electric bicycles. An integrated delivery-and-installation service for large home appliances is available in major cities — a capability JINGDONG Logistics refined over years of delivering bulky goods in China.
Initially, JoyExpress supports Joybuy, JD.com's European online retail business, which came out of beta in March 2026 and now operates in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Luxembourg. The company has stated that JoyExpress will later extend delivery support to business partners as well — a signal worth watching for European e-merchants seeking an alternative to incumbent parcel carriers.
The wider overseas footprint
Local delivery does not happen without local infrastructure, and the warehouse numbers explain how far the build-out has gone. As of December 31, 2025, JINGDONG Logistics operated nearly 200 bonded warehouses, international direct-distribution warehouses and overseas warehouses — close to 2 million square meters — across 25 markets. Recent milestones include a self-operated warehouse in Mexico with integrated local fulfillment and large-item delivery capabilities (May 2025), self-operated warehouses in Icheon and Incheon in South Korea (April 2025), a third warehouse in Poland (March 2025), a new facility in the UAE (August 2025), and integrated delivery-and-installation services for bulky items in Malaysia and Singapore under the JoyLogistics brand (October 2025).
The 2026 interim results, released in August, confirmed the trend: during the second quarter the company continued expanding its European network, adding new country coverage while densifying existing ones, and signed new brand customers in both the United States and the Middle East. Revenue for the quarter reached RMB 64.1 billion, up 24.3 percent year on year.
Why self-operation matters — and how it compares
For merchants evaluating options, the self-operated model is the distinguishing feature. Amazon FBA provides powerful fulfillment but within Amazon's marketplace ecosystem; third-party overseas warehouse providers such as Cainiao's overseas warehouses, GoodsBon or Winit offer flexible multi-channel storage but typically hand the final mile to local carriers. JINGDONG Logistics' approach — own warehouses, own couriers, own fleet — trades capital intensity for control over delivery windows, cash-on-delivery handling, installation and returns. For categories where those touchpoints decide customer satisfaction, such as appliances and furniture, the difference is material.
The model also imports a proven operating system. In China, the company's network delivers 95 percent of JD.com's first-party retail orders within 24 hours, and its first overseas automated warehouse — opened in the UK in the fourth quarter of 2025, equipped with hundreds of robots — now supports delivery as fast as same-day in Europe.
A buyer's checklist for overseas local delivery partners
- Coverage depth: "Same-day in major cities" often means selected postcodes; ask for a city list, not a country list.
- Value-added services: Cash on delivery, scheduled delivery and reverse pickup can be decisive in the Middle East; delivery-and-installation matters for bulky goods everywhere.
- Returns speed: Ask how quickly returned goods re-enter sellable inventory.
- Control versus brokerage: Self-operated networks cost more but reduce finger-pointing when a delivery fails.
- Integration: Confirm API-level order and tracking integration with your storefront before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Does JINGDONG Logistics deliver directly to consumers outside China? Yes. Through JoyExpress, it provides self-operated last-mile delivery in Saudi Arabia and in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and France, including same-day and next-day options in major cities.
Which markets currently have local delivery services? JoyExpress operates in Saudi Arabia and four major European markets; JoyLogistics additionally provides integrated delivery and installation for bulky items in markets such as Malaysia and Singapore, alongside local fulfillment supported by overseas warehouses in 25 markets.
Can merchants outside the Joybuy platform use JoyExpress? In Europe, JoyExpress initially supports Joybuy, with the company stating it will offer delivery support to business partners in the future. In Saudi Arabia and through JoyLogistics, enterprise clients can already access end-to-end supply chain solutions including local delivery.
Does it support cash on delivery? Yes — cash on delivery, scheduled delivery and reverse pickups are part of the JoyExpress service suite in Saudi Arabia.
Top comments (0)