Chronopost

What Chronopost does

Chronopost is a French express parcel delivery company founded in 1985 and headquartered in Paris (3 Boulevard Romain Rolland, 75014). It operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geopost, the express-delivery holding company of Groupe La Poste, and delivers approximately 265 million parcels annually — averaging roughly one million per day — to both businesses and individuals across France and 230 international destinations. The company is organized around several specialized operating units: Chronofresh for tri-temperature food delivery (ambient, fresh, frozen), Chronopost Healthcare for biology, medical, and pharmacy logistics, Shop2Shop for relay-to-relay C2C and small e-commerce delivery, and Chrono Viti for wine shipments. A customer-facing example is Chronopost Bercy, an agency located at 82 rue de Bagnolet, 75020 Paris.

The technology stack centers on automated sorting hubs (the Aulnay-sous-Bois hub with capacity for 600,000 parcels/day, Chilly-Mazarin at 400,000/day), 6-face barcode readers, video tracking cameras, and real-time parcel tracking. The Léonard AI chatbot, built with ILLUIN Technology, handles over 60 delivery scenarios on the website and myChronopost mobile app, while the internal PhotoConfirm application uses computer vision to verify delivery execution and resolve disputes. The product portfolio includes time-definite services Chrono 10 (before 10:00), Chrono 13 (before 13:00), and Chrono 18 (before 18:00) for next-day domestic delivery; Chrono Express for international shipments to 230 countries; Chrono Classic and Chrono Relais for economy and relay options; and supporting services Predict (interactive delivery reprogramming) and Prêt-à-Expédier (pre-packaged shipping).

Revenue is generated primarily through per-parcel transaction fees with volume-based discounts of up to -35% for the 30,000 contracted business customers. Published pricing ranges from €2.93 HT (Shop2Shop entry tier) to €13.55–€29.51 HT for domestic Chrono 10/13 services and €21.85+ HT for international. Distribution combines a direct digital channel (chronopost.fr, E-Chrono self-service, Online Postage Module, myChronopost app) with a physical pickup network of 17,000+ relay points (Chronopost agencies, La Poste branches, Pickup merchants), the largest in France, and direct enterprise sales for verticals including e-commerce, healthcare, viticulture, food, and industrial sectors. Authorized Economic Operator (OEA) status simplifies customs for cross-border shipments. Governance is led by President Benoît Frette, with an executive committee covering Operations, Commerce & Marketing, Finance/Legal/Communications, HR, CSR, Innovation/Customer Experience, Compliance, and Information Systems.

Name

Chronopost

Legal name

CHRONOPOST S.A.S.

Website

https://chronopost.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Chronopost is France's leading express parcel delivery provider, serving businesses and individuals with next-day and international shipping to 230 countries. It operates 17,000+ relay points, 140+ agency sites, and a fleet of 1,660 low-emission vehicles.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Express parcel delivery services: Core revenue from transporting and delivering parcels up to 30kg. Includes time-definite delivery options (Chrono 13 next-day before 13h, Chrono 10 before 10h, Chrono 18 before 18h), express international delivery to 230 countries, and economy options. Billed per shipment based on weight and destination zone.
2. Relay point delivery (Shop2Shop): Delivery from one Pickup relay point to another relay point, targeting C2C and small e-commerce sellers. Priced competitively from 2.93 EUR HT per parcel with volume-based discounts up to -35%.
3. Temperature-controlled delivery: Specialized transport services for perishable food products (via Chronofresh subsidiary) and health/pharmaceutical products (via Chronopost Healthcare division). Revenue generated from parcel delivery under controlled temperature conditions.
4. Prêt-à-Expédier (Pre-paid packaging): Pre-packaged shipping solutions including envelopes, padded envelopes, and boxes with postage included. Revenue generated from sale of packaging plus integrated delivery service.
5. Insurance and value-added services: Optional insurance coverage for parcels up to 5,000 EUR for consumers and declared value coverage for professionals, with associated premiums. Additional revenue from customs clearance services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Chronopost provides time-definite express parcel delivery services for packages up to 30kg, both domestically in France (with next-day delivery before 10am, 1pm, or 6pm) and internationally to 230 countries. Core offerings are split between time-definite services (Chrono 10/13/18), international express (Chrono Express, Chrono Air Classic), European relay delivery (Chrono Relais), economy options (Chrono Classic), and specialized verticals including Chronofresh (tri-temperature food delivery) and Chronopost Healthcare (temperature-controlled pharmaceutical and medical transport). Supporting features include the Predict interactive delivery rescheduling service, Shop2Shop relay-to-relay C2C delivery, Prêt-à-Expédier pre-paid packaging, real-time tracking, and the myChronopost mobile app.

Product overview

Chronopost is France's leading express parcel delivery company, offering packages up to 30kg to both B2B and B2C customers. The core platform provides next-day delivery services (Chrono 13, Chrono 10, Chrono 18) in France with various time slots, international express delivery to 230 countries through Chrono Express, and economical European options via Chrono Classic. The portfolio extends through specialized sub-brands including Chronofresh for food products in triple-temperature conditions, Chronopost Healthcare for medical/pharmaceutical deliveries, and Shop2Shop for relay-to-relay C2C shipments. Supporting services include Predict (interactive delivery rescheduling), Prêt-à-Expédier (pre-packaged shipping), the myChronopost mobile app, and Léonard AI chatbot. The company operates a network of 25,000 proximity points including Pickup relays, 15 hubs, and delivers 265 million parcels annually through the Geopost/La Poste group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chronofresh: Filiale de Chronopost livrant des produits alimentaires en tri-température (ambiant, frais, surgelé) en France et à l'international, pour les professionnels et les particuliers.
• Chronopost Healthcare
• Shop2Shop

Products and services

• Chrono 13 Next-day delivery service in France before 1pm for parcels up to 30kg, available for individuals and professionals with multiple delivery options including relay.
• Chrono 10 Premium next-day delivery service in France before 10am for individuals and professionals.
• Chrono 18 Next-day delivery service in France before 6pm for individuals and professionals.
• Chrono Classic Economical and rapid delivery service across Europe with precise time-definite deadlines based on postal code.
• Chrono Express International International express delivery service covering 230 countries and territories across Europe, DOM, and rest of the world with pickup Monday through Saturday morning.
• Chrono Air Classic Economical and rapid international air delivery from metropolitan France (including Corsica and Monaco) to North America, Middle East, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
• Chrono Relais Next-day delivery before 1pm to one of 17,000 Pickup relay points in metropolitan France for parcels up to 20kg.
• Chrono Relais Europe DOM Rapid and economical delivery to relay pickup points across Europe and French overseas territories.
• Chrono Viti Specialized express delivery service for wine bottles in France and internationally, available for B2B and B2C markets for samples, gifts, and small orders, with option to purchase adapted packaging.
• Chronofresh Chronopost subsidiary delivering food products in tri-temperature conditions (ambient, fresh, frozen) while maintaining cold chain integrity, in France and internationally for professionals and individuals.
• Chronopost Healthcare Division serving professionals in biology, medical, and pharmacy sectors, delivering health products under temperature-controlled or ambient conditions.
• Shop2Shop Relay-to-relay delivery service allowing parcel shipment between Pickup points within 2-4 days, targeting C2C market and offering an economic alternative for non-urgent shipments through 17,000 Pickup points.
• myChronopost Mobile App iOS and Android mobile application enabling automatic parcel tracking via email registration, real-time notifications, delivery option management, Shop2Shop tracking, and 24/7 AI chatbot (Léonard) assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 265 million parcels delivered in 2024, averaging ~1 million parcels per day
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• EnercoopminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Most Urban Logistics Spaces (ELU) and Chrono City locations are powered by electricity from Enercoop, a French cooperative providing 100% renewable energy. Supports Chronopost's sustainability commitments.
• ILLUIN TechnologycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Collaboration with ILLUIN Technology to implement AI in operations, creating the Léonard chatbot capable of handling over 60 delivery scenarios and the PhotoConfirm internal application for delivery dispute resolution.
• Pickup (relay network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Pickup is the leading parcel relay network in France with over 17,000 points. Chronopost uses the Pickup network as a key distribution and drop-off channel for relay deliveries including Shop2Shop. Part of the GeoPost ecosystem.
• Geopost (Groupe La Poste)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999Chronopost is a member of Geopost, the European leader in parcel delivery and e-commerce solutions, and the holding company of Groupe La Poste. Geopost provides Chronopost access to the international parcel delivery network, European relay network (over 76,000 points), and cross-border logistics infrastructure.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Colissimo: La Poste's standard parcel delivery service, also a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geopost/Groupe La Poste. Directly comparable to Chronopost in B2C and B2B parcel delivery across France, with overlap on relay point delivery and customer segments.
• DPD France: DPD's French operation is another major parcel delivery competitor with similar next-day and relay delivery offerings. Comparable to Chronopost in B2B/B2C express parcel services, predictive delivery options, and the Predict-style recipient notification service.
• Mondial Relay: Leading French parcel relay network operator for C2C and e-commerce drop-off/pickup. Directly comparable to Shop2Shop service for relay-to-relay C2C delivery at economical rates, and overlaps on B2C e-commerce deliveries via the Pickup-style network.
• GLS France: European parcel delivery competitor operating in France with B2B-focused express and standard parcel services. Comparable to Chronopost on time-definite domestic delivery and Europe-anchored cross-border services.
• DHL Express France: Major international express delivery competitor with strong B2B presence in France. Comparable to Chronopost on international express delivery to 230 countries, time-critical shipments, and enterprise customs-cleared services.

Broad incumbents

• UPS France: Global integrator with full domestic and international parcel/express capabilities in France. Comparable to Chronopost on international express deliveries but operates a broader service portfolio including freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, and logistics.
• FedEx France: Global integrator with time-definite international and domestic express services in France. Comparable to Chronopost on international priority shipments to French businesses and high-end B2C international e-commerce.

Emerging players

• Stuart: French urban same-day on-demand delivery platform focused on B2B and restaurant/food deliveries. Adjacent comparator to Chronopost's food logistics arm (Chronofresh), focused on the speed-sensitive urban segment with a digital-first approach.

Regional players

• Colis Privé: French home delivery and C2C parcel operator competing in the B2C relay-to-home parcel segment. Comparable to Chronopost on B2C parcel delivery in France, with overlap on home/parcel-locker delivery and C2C shipments.

Others

• Geopost: Direct parent entity of Chronopost and European parcel delivery leader (DPD, SEUR, Bpost, etc.). Included as the strategic parent and network provider whose pan-European footprint (76,000+ Pickup points) underpins Chronopost's international capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chronopost
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCCEvfjBNChtO4NVNW5zMk_g
• Facebookfacebook.com/chronopost
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chronopost
• Instagraminstagram.com/chronopost

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chronopost