Chinese delivery group targets Switzerland’s fast-growing e-commerce market

Speedaf Logistics (Switzerland) Sàrl was registered in Fribourg in April 2026, giving the expansion a formal Swiss base. Founded in 2019, Speedaf specialises in cross-border and last-mile logistics connecting China with overseas markets. ZTO Express was one of the company’s original shareholders.

The Swiss operation is designed to cover more than parcel transport. Its registration includes customs-clearance services, freight and warehousing. That combination could allow Speedaf to manage shipments from the point they enter Switzerland through to the customer’s door. It also gives the company a direct role in one of the most expensive steps for some international parcels.

Swiss Post charges CHF 16 to handle customs for a small package from outside the EU, regardless of the package’s value. That fee creates a clear point of comparison for a new carrier serving Chinese imports. Speedaf could compete by bundling customs and delivery costs differently, although there is no public evidence yet of its Swiss pricing or service conditions.

Speedaf already lists operations in Ireland, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia. The footprint remains selective compared with the continent-wide networks of established parcel groups. Switzerland could therefore become a test market for a focused model built around Chinese e-commerce flows, local clearance and a relatively compact delivery territory.

The competitive pressure will reach beyond delivery prices. Swiss Post and DPD have established depots, customer-service systems and relationships with retailers across the country. Speedaf will need to persuade online platforms, importers and possibly other carriers that a new network can handle Swiss requirements at scale.

Wagner told SRF that Chinese logistics companies increasingly want to control international shipments through the European last mile. That strategy reduces reliance on local delivery partners and gives the logistics group more control over customs, tracking data, delivery performance and customer experience. Speedaf’s Swiss subsidiary is structured to provide several of those services under one roof.

Regulatory issues will form part of the contest. Cross-border parcels must clear customs, meet applicable import rules and carry accurate shipment information. As more low-value goods enter Switzerland, authorities and carriers must also deal with returns, consumer protection, product compliance and the environmental cost of individual deliveries. The available reporting does not indicate any regulatory breach by Speedaf, but its customs role will bring the company into a closely supervised part of the supply chain.

Established operators may respond through pricing, automation or new partnerships with retailers. The arrival of a carrier linked to China’s fast-growing e-commerce ecosystem also adds a strategic dimension to a market that has traditionally been dominated by domestic and European delivery groups.

Switzerland’s compact territory gives Speedaf a practical route to national coverage, but scale will have to be earned parcel by parcel. Zurich, Bern and Lausanne can anchor a network that reaches dense urban areas and connects the German-, French- and Italian-speaking markets through a small number of hubs. The model could be more efficient than building a broad European network from the outset.

The next stage will depend on execution. Speedaf must fill its planned sorting capacity, maintain delivery standards and establish a returns process that works for Swiss customers. It will also need to compete in a market where consumers value low prices but expect reliable tracking and predictable delivery. Existing carriers can draw on years of local operating experience, while Speedaf may have an advantage in access to China-linked parcel flows.

The expansion also gives Swiss businesses a new variable in negotiations over delivery and fulfilment. Retailers could gain another carrier option, while Swiss Post and DPD may face pressure to review fees and services. Consumers might see cheaper delivery for some imported goods, although pricing will depend on customs arrangements, platform contracts and the cost of operating inside Switzerland.

Speedaf’s planned launch therefore matters beyond one company. It reflects the growing importance of cross-border e-commerce in Switzerland and the effort by Chinese logistics groups to follow online retailers all the way to the customer’s front door.