FedEx Strengthens Healthcare Capabilities in China with CEIV Pharma Certification

Federal Express Corporation, one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, announced recently that its hub at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China (CAN) has been awarded the prestigious CEIV Pharma certification. This marks a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to quality, compliance, and leadership in pharmaceutical logistics.

The Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma Certification, from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ensures the highest standards in the handling and transportation of time and temperature sensitive healthcare products such as pharmaceutical and vaccines across air networks. This corporate-level certification is a testament of the strength of FedEx’s quality management system and its expertise in delivering fully compliant, end-to-end logistic services that meet the rigorous demands of the increasingly complex and highly regulated pharmaceutical industry.

“China’s expansive healthcare industry is driving growing demand for specialized logistics, with customers seeking reliable partners equipped with a global network and local expertise,” stated Poh-Yian Koh, president of FedEx China. “This award highlights our operational strength in healthcare logistics and our unique capability to offer our customers a one-stop-shop for reliable global delivery and smart digital solutions. We are dedicated to providing efficient, secure, and compliant solutions that streamline supply chains and support the industry’s growth and international expansion.”

China’s pharmaceutical logistics market is projected to experience significant growth, with an estimated CAGR of approximately 10-12% from 2025 to 2030.^[1] According to an industrial white paper, China accounted for 31% of the world’s clinical trials initiated between 2019 and 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 8%. Since 2020, China has emerged as the leading location for clinical trials worldwide, reaffirming its vital role as a key player in the global clinical trial landscape.^[2]

Customers in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector need closed loop temperature-controlled services to preserve temperature integrity to ensure product efficacy. With decades of experience, FedEx provides expertise in customized solutions for clinical trial solutions, biologics and vaccines enabled by its robust International Express network, customized Time Critical Special Services (SpS), and a global network of Life Science Centers in Incheon (Korea), Singapore, Tokyo (Japan), Mumbai (India), Memphis (United States), and Veldhoven (the Netherlands). The company’s extensive healthcare infrastructure also includes 130+ cold-chain facilities worldwide, ensuring continuous temperature integrity for shipments moving through our domestic and international networks.

FedEx hub at Kansai International Airport, Japan (KIX) was also awarded the CEIV Pharma Certification. The certifications are part of a broader FedEx initiative to expand CEIV-compliant infrastructure globally. As of May 2025, a total of nineteen FedEx facilities worldwide, including key locations in Europe and the Americas, will operate under the CEIV Pharma quality framework further strengthening the company’s position as a trusted logistics partner for the global healthcare industry.

[1] https://mobilityforesights.com/product/china-pharmaceutical-logistics-market/
[2] Spotlight on China: A dominant player in the clinical trial landscape | Norstella