EMS

What EMS does

EMS (Express Mail Service) Cooperative is an intergovernmental body of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, created at the 22nd UPU Congress in Beijing on 10 September 1999. Headquartered at the UPU International Bureau in Berne, Switzerland, it coordinates a cross-border express postal service for documents and merchandise across 179 designated postal operators in over 170 countries, representing 92% of all eligible postal EMS operators and covering over 99% of global EMS traffic. The cooperative delivers more than 70 million EMS items annually to over 5 billion citizens of member posts, functioning as the world's largest last-mile distribution network for cross-border mail.

Its core product offering is the EMS international express mail service, supported by a platform stack that includes EMS SMART for performance monitoring and reporting, i-Care as the centralized customer care system (launched July 2020), the Pay-for-Performance quarterly accounting system, and the EMS Operational Guide with its end-to-end service standard calculator. Additional add-ons include the CDS Online Label Application (available in 88 countries), the Merchandise Returns Solution, standardized barcode labels, Market Intelligence reports, eLearning, a Force Majeure claims system, and annual Performance and Customer Care Awards. Technology is built on standardized tracking systems maintained by the UPU, with Electronic Advance Data (EAD) supporting customs compliance.

Revenue mechanics rely on Pay-for-Performance settlement between member operators — linking inter-operator payment to quality of service delivered — supplemented by membership and service fees for access to cooperative tools, training, and operational guides. Pricing is set by each member postal operator rather than centrally disclosed. The customer base spans international postal operators as B2B members, e-commerce merchants and consumers using cross-border delivery, and individual senders via Post Office counters or pickup services. The cooperative has no independent legal status, is governed by a nine-member elected Board, and does not publish standalone financial results.

Name

EMS

Legal name

EMS Cooperative

Website

https://ems.post

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

EMS Cooperative is an intergovernmental body of the Universal Postal Union coordinating cross-border express mail services across 179 postal operators in 170+ countries. It delivers over 70 million EMS items annually through standardized tracking, customer care, and pay-for-performance platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cross-border Express Mail Service Fees: EMS generates revenue through fees charged by member postal operators for express delivery services across international borders. The cooperative structure allows operators to exchange EMS items under standardized agreements, with the Pay-for-Performance accounting system linking payment to quality of service delivered.
2. Membership and Service Fees: Postal operators pay for membership to access EMS Cooperative tools and services including EMS SMART, i-Care, operational guides, and training programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

EMS is an international Express Mail Service for documents and merchandise, operating as the fastest cross-border postal service through a network of 179 designated postal operators in 179 countries and territories. Items take priority over standard postal services, with end-to-end tracking via a 13-digit item number, online customs declaration tools, and pay-for-performance accountability. Supporting the delivery service are operational platforms including EMS SMART (monitoring and reporting), i-Care (customer care), the Pay-for-Performance accounting system, and the EMS Operational Guide for service standards.

Product overview

EMS (Express Mail Service) is a single core product—an international postal express service for documents and merchandise offered by designated postal operators of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). The offering consists of the core EMS delivery service plus a suite of operational support platforms: EMS SMART (monitoring and reporting), i-Care (customer care system), the Pay-for-Performance accounting system, and the EMS Operational Guide (service standards calculator). Additional add-on services include the Online Label Application (CDS), Merchandise Returns Solution (MRS), standardized Barcode Labels, Market Intelligence reports, eLearning training, Force Majeure claims handling, and Performance/Customer Care awards. These tools collectively enable member postal operators to provide, monitor, and improve their EMS delivery service globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EMS - Express Mail Service An international postal Express Mail Service for documents and merchandise, operated by designated postal operators of the Universal Postal Union. It is the fastest cross-border postal product connecting 179 countries and territories, taking priority over standard postal services. Used by postal operators, e-commerce merchants, and individual senders for cross-border deliveries.
• EMS Tracking

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Authorized EntityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025EMS Vietnam partnered with an authorized US CBP entity to support import duty collection and remittance under new US import duty regulations following the de minimis suspension, ensuring compliant processing of US-bound shipments.
• Universal Postal Union (UPU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 1999The EMS Cooperative is a body of the Universal Postal Union, a specialized agency of the United Nations. The UPU provides the governance framework and hosts the EMS Unit at its International Bureau in Berne, Switzerland. The EMS Cooperative was created at the 22nd Congress of the UPU in Beijing, China on 10 September 1999.
• Chinese Logistics and Cargo Transport FirmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKazpost launched a Central Asia alliance bringing together regional operators alongside major Chinese logistics and cargo transport firms for enhanced cross-border logistics.
• UPU Quality of Service Fund (QSF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnder the UPU QSF which supports developing countries in implementing projects to improve service quality, Kazpost received approval to acquire new electric vehicles and bicycles for eco-friendly last-mile delivery.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DHL Express: DHL Express is the world's largest international express courier network, offering door-to-door cross-border document and parcel delivery in 220+ countries. It directly competes with EMS for cross-border express shipments, particularly in the SMB and e-commerce segments.
• FedEx: FedEx operates a global express parcel network (FedEx Express) covering 220+ countries, with strong cross-border e-commerce capabilities through FedEx Crossborder. It competes head-to-head with EMS in international document and parcel shipping.
• UPS: UPS is one of the largest global express parcel carriers, offering cross-border express delivery services and customs brokerage. It competes with EMS in international express shipping for documents and small parcels.
• TNT Express: TNT Express (now integrated into FedEx) historically operated a European-focused international express delivery network and was a direct competitor to EMS for cross-border documents and parcels between Europe and the rest of the world.
• Aramex: Aramex is a Middle East-based international express, courier, and logistics provider operating in 60+ countries. It directly competes with EMS for cross-border express shipments in the MENA region and global emerging markets.
• SF Express: SF International is the international arm of SF Express, China's largest private express delivery company. It offers cross-border express services from China to global destinations, directly competing with EMS China Post's outbound volumes.

Regional players

• Yamato Holdings: Yamato Holdings operates TA-Q-BIN, Japan's leading door-to-door parcel delivery network, and offers international express services via partner networks. It is comparable to EMS as a national-postal-affiliated express service but focused primarily on Japan-origin shipments.
• Royal Mail Group: Royal Mail is the UK's designated postal operator and an EMS Cooperative member, offering international tracked services through its parcel network. It is comparable to EMS as a national postal operator handling inbound and outbound cross-border shipments.
• La Poste (Le Groupe La Poste): La Poste is France's designated postal operator and an EMS Cooperative member, with international express offerings via its Colissimo and GeoPost/DPD subsidiaries. It is comparable to EMS as a major European postal operator participating in the cooperative network.

Broad incumbents

• USPS: The United States Postal Service is an EMS Cooperative member and operates domestic and inbound international mail services including Global Express Guaranteed. It is comparable to EMS as a national designated postal operator providing last-mile delivery within the US.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/express-mail-service

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 EMS