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according to china securities journal, recently, fengchao holdings co., ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "fengchao"), the world's largest smart express locker network operator, submitted an application for listing to the hong kong stock exchange. according to the prospectus, from 2021 to 2023 and the first five months of 2024, fengchao will collect "detention fees" for approximately 429 million, 460 million, 517 million and 207 million parcels stored in fengchao smart lockers, respectively. calculated at the minimum charge of 0.5 yuan, the total "detention fee" income in three and a half years exceeded 800 million yuan.

the regulation of charging for overtime storage of parcels in express lockers has long been controversial. in september, reporters learned from actual testing that the "detention fee" is not mandatory. if you don't want to pay, you can contact the courier to help re-deliver or choose other delivery methods. fengchao customer service also promised that you can call the hotline to open the door remotely for free.

over 800 million yuan in "detention fees" collected in three and a half years

the prospectus shows that fengchao is china's largest terminal logistics solution provider in terms of revenue in 2023, and the world's largest smart express locker network operator in terms of the number of lockers as of december 31, 2023 and the volume of parcels in 2023. at present, fengchao's business is divided into three major divisions: express terminal delivery services, consumer smart delivery services, and value-added services. in addition to the delivery and mailing services that consumers are familiar with, fengchao's business scope also includes storage services, laundry services, door-to-door cleaning, etc.

among fengchao's value-added services, the revenue from free storage services has been growing year by year. the prospectus shows that fengchao smart lockers provide safe free storage solutions. usually, consumers are provided with 18 hours of free storage. if the storage time needs to be extended, fengchao will charge a service fee of 0.5 yuan for every additional 12 hours, with a maximum of 3 yuan per package. and the free storage service fee is not charged during statutory holidays.

fengchao ipo prospectus (source: china securities journal)

from 2021 to 2023 and the first five months of 2024, fengchao charged storage fees for approximately 429 million, 460 million, 517 million and 207 million parcels stored in fengchao smart lockers, respectively, accounting for 6.9%, 7.9%, 8.0% and 7.5% of the total number of parcels delivered by fengchao smart lockers in the same period. if calculated based on the minimum charge of 0.5 yuan, a total of more than 800 million yuan in storage fees have been collected in nearly three and a half years. consumers can subscribe to membership plans to enjoy free overtime pickup and additional discounts. membership plans are provided on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis, with subscription fees of 5 yuan, 15 yuan and 55 yuan respectively.

fengchao customer service told jimu news reporters that the storage fee is called the overtime fee and detention fee for the package, and the fengchao smart locker is also the fengchao express locker.

there is a way to pick up the package for free after the time limit

fengchao express lockers' overtime charges sparked heated discussions among netizens, with many netizens sharing their personal experiences: "because i was traveling, i picked up three express parcels when i came back, and paid a total of 9 yuan." "it was almost overtime, so i came to pick up the parcel in the middle of the night just to save the overtime fee." "if you don't want to pay, you can also ask customer service or the courier to pick up the parcel for free. there are many ways."

gu yuan (pseudonym) from sichuan told reporters that he bought a bottle of disinfectant for 2.4 yuan online in june. the merchant sent it by ordinary express. after the package arrived, the courier put the package into the fengchao express cabinet without prior communication. he went on a business trip to another place temporarily and his return date was uncertain. he learned the news after checking the logistics information of the online shopping platform. since he could not pick up the package in time, he explained the situation to the courier, who finally helped to take it out and deposited it in the post station. "the item itself is not expensive. i rarely use fengchao. i don't know why it was placed there."

gu yuan's logistics information and call records show that on june 8, the package arrived at the regional service department. gu yuan did not receive any calls from the courier all day. at around 9 p.m., the package was temporarily stored in the fengchao express cabinet by the courier. on the afternoon of the 9th, gu yuan immediately called the courier and sent a text message to inform the order number. if the package is kept in the fengchao express cabinet for a long time, the detention fee is up to 3 yuan, which may be more expensive than the original price of the product.

(source: screenshot of online shopping platform)

in mid-to-late september, the reporter shopped online to experience fengchao's service. the merchant defaulted to a courier. during the delivery process, the courier took the initiative to call to inquire about the delivery method. after the storage time in the express cabinet exceeded, the courier redelivered it and the reporter took out the package for free. the electronic screen of the fengchao express cabinet shows that you can scan the code to pick up the package or enter the pickup code, and the charging standards of the changcun service are written below, and the online customer service and hotline contact information are also marked.

regarding the issue of parcels being overdue, couriers said that if you don't want to pay detention fees, they can help pick up and re-deliver, or choose other delivery methods. "there aren't many overdue parcels in the area i deliver to. most consumers go to work during the day and pick up their parcels when they come back at night. the post station can store them for free for a longer period of time, and you can call me to come and pick them up in person after the time is up."

express cabinet display screen (source: reporter's photo)

on september 21, fengchao customer service told jimu news that fengchao lockers store parcels for free within 18 hours, and charge 0.5 yuan/12 hours after the time limit, with a maximum charge of 3 yuan. there is no charge on holidays, and no charge on saturdays and sundays (rest days) in office buildings. consumers can negotiate with couriers to choose the delivery method and storage location. many express delivery companies can use fengchao express lockers. if consumers fail to pick up their parcels in time, they can call the customer service hotline to help remotely open the door for free, or contact the courier to re-deliver or deliver the parcel to their door.

source:jimu news reporter shen wai