Cainiao, the logistics information platform and affiliate of the Alibaba Group and the United States Postal Ser vi ce (USPS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop new international shipping solutions and enhance the logisticsservice experience for both sellers and buyers involved in cross-border e-commerce.

Cainiao and the USPS are aiming to develop an integrated e-commerce solution that provides full access to the US domestic market and neighboring countries, according to the MOU. Th e solution will be designed to reflect the demands of customers and the capabilities of shipping partners to improve the way goods purchased from China are processed, handled, and delivered in the US and potentially South American markets.

Both companies have expressed an interest in exploring the feasibility of integrating USPS technology into the Cainiao logistics information platform, as well as other Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms. Th rough the collaboration, Cainiao and USPS aim to innovate special services to meet market demand, supporting efforts by China-based merchants to expand into overseas markets, at the same time delivering an improved shopping experience to US consumers.

“As cross-broader e-commerce grows rapidly, it is critical that we evolve shipping services to the next level, with shorter delivery times and easier methods to track a shipment. The collaboration between Cainiao and USPS will enable us to create new solutions and ultimately improve the overall customer experience,” Cainiao said.

The global B2C cross-border e-commerce market is expected to grow from US$230 billion in 2014 to $1 trillion in 2020, according to a report from global consulting fi rm Accenture and AliResearch, Alibaba Group’s research arm. Th e collaboration between Cainiao and the USPS seeks to capitalise on growing opportunities in crossborder e-commerce between China and America by making it easier and more effi cient for Chinese companies to sell and deliver goods directly to US consumers.

“We are excited to work with USPS to deliver innovative shipping solutions that will benefi t our US consumers.

Today’s announcement is a key part of Alibaba’s globalisation strategy and our vision to enable consumers around the world to enjoy the convenience and benefi ts of e-commerce,” said Wan Lin, VP of Cainiao.

“As cross-broader e-commerce grows rapidly, it is critical that we evolve shipping services to the next level, with shorter delivery times and easier methods to track a shipment. The collaboration between Cainiao and USPS will enable us to create new solutions and ultimately improve the overall customer experience,” added Wan Lin.