First, the difference in courier environment, different laws and regulations, humanities, customs, language, science and technology development and hardware facilities.

Two, the wide range of express system, the complexity of the courier itself, coupled with the particularity of international express, the operation is difficult, facing more risks.

Three, the express information requirements determine its advanced nature, the provision of information, collection and management of higher requirements, requires international information systems support.

In a word, a very important characteristic of international express is the difference of express environment among different countries, especially the difference of express soft environment. Different logistics applicable laws of different countries make the complexity of international express is much higher than that of domestic logistics in a country, or even blocking international express; in different countries and different level of economic and technological development will result in different conditions of international express the support of science and technology, and even in some areas of the decline can not be applied to certain technical force international express system level; different standards in different countries, also caused the international "convergence" of the difficulties, the international express delivery system to establish the customs in different countries; the humanities also makes international express limits.

International express transportation is the transportation between the country and the country, between the country and the region. Compared with the domestic freight transportation, it has the following main characteristics:

(1) international express delivery involves international relations, and it is a highly policy related international activity. International express transportation is international trade picture by the 5 major international express companies all (15) a part of easy, in the process of organization of transport of goods, often with foreign directly or indirectly the extensive business contacts, this link is not only economic, but also often relate to international political issues that is a very strong policy foreign activities. Therefore, the international express transportation is not only an economic activity, is also an important foreign affairs activities, which requires us not only to use the economic point of view to handle the business, but also the concept of policy, engaged in international transport business in accordance with the requirements of China foreign policy.

(two) international express transportation is a long distance transportation in the middle link. International express transportation is between countries, national and regional transport, in general, the transportation distance is long, often need to use a variety of means of transport, through repeated handling, to go through many intermediate links, such as transshipment, transform the mode of transport, through different countries and regions, to adapt to the different regulations and provisions. If any one link problems, will affect the whole transportation process, which requires us to organize, interlocking, avoid disjointed phenomenon in some areas, lead to the loss of transportation.

(three) international express transportation involves a wide range, and the situation is complex and changeable. International express transportation involves many departments, need to deal with different countries and regions, shippers, transportation, commodity inspection agencies, insurance companies, banks or other financial institutions, customs, ports and various intermediary agents. At the same time, due to various national and regional laws, policies and regulations are not a trade, transportation, customs and business practices are different, differences in financial and monetary system, coupled with the change of political and economic and natural conditions, will have a greater impact on international express transportation.

(four) the timeliness of international express delivery is strong. The timely shipment of import and export goods, timely delivery of the goods to the destination, the implementation of import and export trade contracts, meet the needs of commodity competition market, improve market competitiveness, and timely settlement of foreign exchange, are of great significance. Especially some fresh goods, seasonal goods and sensitive goods, more requirements of rapid transportation, seize the opportune moment organization supply, can help improve the export competition ability, to consolidate and expand the sales market. Therefore, international express transport must strengthen the concept of time, and strive for time and speed to win quickly.

(five) the risk of international express delivery is greater. Because in the international express transportation link, long distance transport, involving a wide range, the situation is complex, and the time is also very strong, changes in the international situation, the transportation process of social unrest, natural disasters and accidents, and war and embargo or pirate activities, may directly or an indirect effect on International express transportation, so as to cause the serious consequences, therefore, greater risk of international express transportation. In order to pass through the risk of loss in transportation, all kinds of import and export goods and transportation tools need transportation insurance.

(six) international express delivery is slower than commercial express. Query website information lags, access to countries less, once problems arise, inquiries can only be written inquiry, longer time.