Cainiao Network, (Cainiao), the logistics arm of Alibaba Group Holding Limited, has announced its partnership with AliExpress' official dropshipping partner DSers to provide 1.2 million cross-border merchants and/or drop shippers with end-to-end smart logistics solutions in 130 countries and regions globally.

In a statement, Cainiao said by leveraging Cainiao's newly-launched express courier shipping service, parcels can be delivered to consumers in key markets such as the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain, as fast as seven working days.

DSers specializes in product management solutions, coupled with order management and automation for drop shippers selling on multiple e-commerce platforms to scale their online stores.

Dropshippers are e-commerce merchants who do not keep products in stock. Instead, they purchase the goods directly from a third party which ships them directly to the consumers when orders are placed. 

Cainiao said this business model that eliminates stockpiling of inventory means that logistics play a pivotal role in keeping operations costs low without affecting customer experience. 

"By partnering with Cainiao, DSers' merchants will be able to tap into its latest technologies to enhance cross-border logistics and supply chain stability especially ahead of large sales events such as the upcoming Double 11 Global Shopping Festival, Black Friday, Thanksgiving and end of year celebrations," the statement said.

Cainiao noted that the partnership will cater specifically to the unique needs of e-commerce logistics, characterized by small parcel sizes in high volumes or frequency.

Cainiao said it will also be offering customizable logistics services based on the merchant's needs and product type via DSers — complementing the current Cainiao-provisioned tiered logistics services for AliExpress such as the AliExpress Standard Shipping, AliExpress Saver Shipping and AliExpress Premium Shipping options. 

The statement noted that Cainiao's full-chain logistics service entails domestic first-mile pick-up in China, international line haul, real-time tracking, one-stop after-sales service, and more.

This will also offer full chain visibility to merchants, from the parcel leaving the factory in China and the domestic warehouse right up to last-mile delivery to overseas consumers.

"Over 85% of Shopify's merchants are based in North America, Latin America and Europe. Here, DSers provides a supply chain SaaS management system to enhance their global competitiveness by empowering them with advanced supply chain fulfilment capabilities," said Kevin M.R. Jones, CEO of DSers.

Li Ya Ping, assistant general manager of Cainiao International Export Business said through our partnership with DSers, Cainiao will be extending its services to support the dropshipping e-commerce business model which reduces inventory costs for small and medium-sized merchants, making it easier for businesses to tap into the overseas markets.

"At Cainiao, we understand the unique supply chain challenges that e-commerce merchants face and we strive to support them by enhancing cost and time efficiencies, and safeguarding stability, in order to unlock more opportunities for cross-border merchants in the digital economy," Li Ya Ping added.