Shanghai, China, January 28, 2026 — Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, shared key findings from its Asia Pacific (APAC) survey of consumers and businesses on sustainability and cross-border trade, highlighting emerging areas of focus for businesses across the region.
The survey shows that 80% of APAC Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) consider environmental concerns when trading with Europe, with sustainability playing a bigger role in logistics decisions. Notably, 37% of Chinese businesses already see sustainability as essential for smoother EU trade. This highlights rising awareness and action on environmental issues among businesses and consumers in the region.
Consumers Pushing Businesses to Incorporate Sustainability into Operations
Consumers are driving demand for sustainable practices, with 84% of APAC consumers pushing businesses to develop eco-friendly online shopping options. Environmental responsibility is becoming a key differentiator, influencing purchasing decisions:
- 81% of APAC consumers prefer companies that appear to operate more sustainably compared to competitors offering similar products without the same visible operational integrations of sustainability. Similarly, 75% of Chinese consumers find companies with stronger sustainability efforts more appealing than comparable alternatives.
- While product integrity and competitive pricing remain key preferences for online shoppers, nearly four in ten APAC consumers are willing to pay premium prices for sustainable packaging. In China, this trend is even more pronounced. Sustainability is no longer just a preference but a mainstream expectation. 40% of Chinese consumers say a company’s ability to operate sustainably influences their purchase decisions, and an impressive 90% are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging when buying gifts.
As environmental awareness grows, businesses are taking note. Sustainable practices are no longer a nice to have, but a must-have for companies to stay competitive in the digital marketplace. Companies are seeing consumers factor in environmental values to their spending decisions, which could directly impact their bottom line.
“To unlock the full potential of cross-border trade, sustainability is a critical factor. It’s not just an expectation —it’s a clear demand from consumers who care about our planet, and it’s shaping the China-EU retail landscape,” said Poh-Yian Koh, president of FedEx China. “These shifts have raised the bar for international logistics companies like FedEx, which is committed to achieving carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040. In China, we are embedding sustainability into every aspect of our operations through initiatives such as vehicle electrification, paperless shipping, and technological innovation, working closely with customers to create solutions that deliver both environmental benefits and business value.”
Reimagining Operations for More Sustainable Logistics
FedEx is stepping up to meet the growing demand for sustainable logistics, investing in cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure that reduce environmental impact while boosting operational efficiency.
One example is FedEx providing customers with the visibility needed to make informed sustainability decisions. FedEx® Sustainability Insights, a cloud-based platform, provides enhanced transparency into environmental impact. Using near-real-time FedEx network data, the tool estimates CO2e emissions for both individual tracking numbers and entire FedEx shipping accounts. Customers can access historical emissions data and search by tracking numbers via their FedEx.com login.
On the aviation side, FedEx recently began using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Chicago O’Hare and Miami International Airports, marking another step in reducing aviation-related emissions within its global air network.In the last mile, FedEx is transforming urban delivery through fleet electrification. Electric vehicles are now deployed across several APAC markets and account for more than 25% of the company’s delivery fleet in China.
Additionally, FedEx continues to integrate digital solutions into its operations in China to replace the printing and submission of large volumes of paper documents. These include FedEx Ship Manager Lite, the FedEx Online Declaration Tool, and FedEx Electronic Trade Documents—innovations that reduce paper and energy consumption while enhancing operational efficiency and visibility.
As cross-border trade continues evolving, the company remains dedicated to delivering faster, smarter, and more sustainable shipping solutions that empower customers to succeed while delivering a more sustainable future.
About the Survey
This online survey was conducted by Milieu Insight in September 2025 across 13 Asia Pacific markets including Australia, New Zealand, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan China, Thailand, and Vietnam. The survey gathered insights from 850 Asia Pacific consumers and 850 SMEs who actively trade with Europe. Click here to download the full report.