Couriers vs. consumers

Eight clauses in contracts drafted by courier companies have been identified as "one-sided agreements" by a Beijing contract evaluation committee, the Beijing News reported.

The clauses in question include stipulations that courier companies are not responsible for delayed delivery due to holidays, for losses caused by delayed delivery or for missing goods.

Experts from the committee said that courier companies should compensate customers if goods are destroyed or go missing during delivery, and that goods that fail to reach the intended recipient should be returned to the sender. They noted that if such companies cause delays during holidays, they may shoulder responsibility, given the regulations stipulating a maximum of three days for intra-city delivery and seven days for inter-city delivery.