Conflict between SF and Cainiao hits delivery services

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Tracking deliveries from Tmall and Taobao have been hindered since Thursday, thanks to a shutdown of data sharing and connections between SF Express and Cainiao Network Technology is behind the disruption. Shipments of fresh produce such as cherries, lychees, and mangos are especially at risk.

The conflict between SF and Cainiao emerged on Thursday when Taobao users were not able to track parcel information if they chose SF to do the delivery.

Cainiao, a courier aggregate financially backed by Alibaba, said SF had rejected Cainiao's proposal to provide more comprehensive logistics data to detect counterfeit shipments, and unilaterally terminated data sharing from its self-pickup outlet service. A Cainiao spokesperson explained on Thursday.

“Last night, we received notification from SF that the data interface would be stopped. This morning, SF has already closed data for the express parcel box service. As of 12 noon, SF had already closed data for the whole Taobao web platform,” said Niu Zhijing, Public Relations Director of Cainiao.

Interior of a SF Warehouse‍ in China. Tracking deliveries from Tmall and Taobao have been hindered due to a shutdown of data sharing and connections between SF Express and Cainiao Network Technology. /CFP Photo

SF responded that such a request went beyond normal business purposes and might breach customer privacy. An SF spokesperson said it was Cainiao that first removed SF from Taobao's logistics inquiry system, which first impacted Hive storage box services.

SF says all packages handled by SF can still be tracked using its own platform. The State Post Bureau has called on express delivery providers to find common ground and protect consumer rights, amid the standoff between the country's largest courier and a leading logistics network. An expert said, this will have an impact on shipments of fresh produce.