Final count-down to double 11 Festival! But this year, don't panic if you are asked to show your ID card when your parcel arrives, as personal identification will be required for all parcel senders and recipients from Monday. The new measure aims to tighten safety inspections, but they also have evoked some concerns nationwide.

Double 11 festival - the biggest annual wave of online purchasing - is approaching. People now are itching to snap up the goods they have been desiring. However, there's something unusual with parcel delivery services this year, as the Chinese government has put in place a new rule that requires real-name verification for all parcel senders and recipients.

Everybody who wants to mail a package will now be asked for their government-issued photo IDs, in addition to having their packages scanned and inspected before they can be sealed. The receiver will also be required to show ID before they can collect the parcel.

The new rules aim to ensure the safety of delivery services. It is believed the measure will thwart hazards and crime, including mailing of bombs, toxic chemicals, and drugs.

"Parcels must be scanned if anyone wants to send a package. When the goods arrive at the transit center, they are still required to go though an X-ray machine to be scanned and inspected in order to ensure the safety of the delivery," said Wang Cheng, manager of Qingdao center, Yuantong Express.

Some consumers have a positive view of the real-name verification delivery rule, as they consider the new measure an effective safety guarantee.

"It's said that there were some conscienceless sellers sending dead mice along with goods to the consumers. Thanks to the real-name delivery regulation, such cases will surely be avoided when goods are scanned and examined before packaging," a citizen said.

However, not all are convinced by the new policy. Many working in the delivery industry have expressed their concerns that the new policy may slow down the parcel-handling process, and lead to delays in deliveries.

"Previously, it took only five minutes for each parcel collection, but now it takes more than 10 minutes after the new rule has come out. Conflicts may also arise when the receivers don't understand and are reluctant to show their ID card," said deliverer.

On the other hand, the new measure has also created widespread anxiety over identity theft and potential personal information leakage. Many consumers feel very uncomfortable about having their personal information exposed to so many people during the delivery process.

"I think the real-name delivery rule is unnecessary. First, it's troublesome to bring ID card when collecting the parcels, and most importantly, I'm worried about how the regulation may threaten privacy. Personal information such as mobile phone numbers and ID numbers will easily be leaked out, which may create many unnecessary problems for us," said a citizen.

In fact, such real-name verification had already been implemented in some provinces such as Guangdong since 2013, but the outcome has been far from ideal. Few trasmit centers managed to put it into action. It's clear that there's still a long way to go toward developing a more comprehensive delivery system that both guarantees security and protects privacy at the same time.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)