Road controls hamper delivery services

Heavy smog in many cities in China has resulted in a massive delay in courier services from major express delivery companies.

According to a preliminary estimate of Alibaba’s logistics affiliate, Cainiao.com, about 40 to 50 million items would be delayed due to traffic controls implemented during the latest surge of smog.

The company said on Wednesday that traffic controls have been imposed on highways in a number of provinces, especially inHebei province, and that most highways from Hebei to Beijing were closed. Parcels delivered to or from the two regions and surrounding areas would be delayed by up to one day.

It said the affected areas include Tianjin municipality and the provinces of Shanxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Henan, Liaoning, Jilin andHeilongjiang.

Most other courier services also posted notices on their websites announcing possible delays.

SF Express, one of China’s leading delivery companies, said on Tuesday that deliveries are estimated to be delayed by between half a day and two days as highways were closed and flights were canceled in many regions including Beijing and Tianjin municipalities as well as Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hubei, Anhui and Jiangsu provinces.

Yunda Express also announced possible delays for deliveries in Beijing, Tianjin and most province.

Ma Qinghui, a courier working for STO Express, said all parcels weighing more than 3 kilograms will not be sent out immediately after they are collected from clients due to smog related traffic problems.

Any parcel under 3 kg will be sent out normally, he said.

A courier working for Best Express said he is working as usual. “My company handed out masks for everybody. We collect items for delivery as usual and send them to the destinations as usual,” he said, preferring not to be identified.

Hou Liangyi, a food courier working for Baidu’s food delivery service, Waimai, said that food delivery inthe city is unaffected. cities in Hebei

According to Global Times, five lawyers in China have filed three separate lawsuits against the governments of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province for allegedly failing to combat air pollution in the region.

The lawyers, Cheng Hai and Xu Wensheng from Beijing; Lu Tingge and LiWeida fromHebei; andMaWei from Tianjin claim the three respective local governments have not performed their duties in combating air pollution, and demanded State compensation in addition to 9,999 yuan ($1,440) for mental suffering as well as for air filter masks, the report said.