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Labour outsourcing has been one of the most important modes of employment in the Chinese online delivery sector. However, research on this topic is scarce. Drawing on a qualitative judicial case study and Burawoy’s framework of labor relations strategies, the article examines the ‘outsourced employment relationship’ in two types of Chinese online delivery companies. The article finds that labour contractors, flexible employment companies, and insurance companies are crucial actors in the outsourced employment relationship; the outsourced employment relationship provides tighter control over the labour process and the labour market and a stable labour supply for the delivery service; moreover, the outsourced employment relationship provides delivery companies with the protection from potential state intervention and labour protests. Nevertheless, the article also finds that not all online delivery companies outsource their employment of labour, and the decision is made based on their position in the supply chain and their profitability. Theoretically, the article aims to move beyond the often-used labour process or control-protest storyline and take the multiple actors in the online delivery sector into consideration. The article also provides suggestions for future government regulations on the online delivery sector.