87 billion e-commerce shipments in 2018

Globally, the parcel volume reached 87 billion in 2018. This is up from 74 billion shipments in the previous year and this highest score since Pitney Bowes started its Shipping Index. The e-commerce solution provider believes this figure will double within the next six years. It predicts about 200 billion parcel shipments by 2025.

The Pitney Bowes Parcel Shipping Index measures both volume and spend for business-to-business, business-to-consumer, consumer-to-business and consumer consigned shipments with weight up to 31.5 kg (70 lbs.) in 13 major markets, representing 3.7 billion people - U.S., Canada, Brazil, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, China, Japan, Australia and India. Based on proprietary and published data, the Index has been compiled annually since 2015 and has become a valued industry benchmark.

The latest report reveals a growth of 17% in 2018, in line with the 17-28% growth projection range given in previous Parcel Shipping Index reports. On average in 2018, there were 23 parcels shipped per person in the 13 major markets in 2018, and 2760 parcels shipped every second. Global shipping volume remains on track to surpass 100 billion parcels in 2020 in aggregate across the 13 countries reviewed. China remains the strongest influence on the market with 51 billion parcels shipped in 2018. Excluding China, parcel volume increased by 6%, from 34 billion in 2017 to 36 billion in 2018. Global parcel revenue remains strong, reaching $317bn – up 13% since the previous year.

Key findings include:

• China’s parcel industry volumes achieved CAGR of 41% from 2013-2018. Volume grew 26% year-over-year although this growth has declined from the 48-61% growth seen from 2012-16.
• The United States ranks highest in the Index for parcel shipping revenue at $119bn.
• Brazil sees the second-highest year-over-year growth rate in the Index with a 25% increase in year-over-year parcel volume from 2017-18.
• India is experiencing CAGR of 25% in parcel volume 2013-18 and year-over-year growth of 21%.
• The United Kingdom and Germany ship the most parcels in Europe. In both countries, 3.5 billion parcels were shipped last year. The parcel market in the UK is highly consolidated, as the top five carriers (Royal Mail, Hermes, Amazon Logistics, DHL and UPS) account for around 75% of parcel shipments.
• In Germany, the top six carriers (DHL, Hermes, UPS, DPD, GLS and FedEx) account for 98% of the country’s parcel volume.
• Canada, parcel shipments reached 1.1bn, up 3% from the year prior.