United States mailbookings put on hold by Department of Posts
The Department of Posts in India has announced a suspension on the booking of all categories of mail, including letters, documents, and gift items, destined for the United States. This decision comes in response to ongoing issues with carriers transporting US-bound mail and the absence of defined regulatory mechanisms.
The suspension, effective from August 25, is a continuation of the Public Notice dated August 22, 2025. It's important to note that all international postal items destined for the USA, regardless of their value, are still subject to customs duties as per the country-specific International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework.
The suspension is also due to an Executive Order No. 14324 issued by the US Administration on July 30, which withdrew the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to USD 800 with effect from August 29. This means that all postal items, regardless of value, will now be subject to customs duties.
However, customers who have already booked items that could not be dispatched may still claim a refund of postage. The Department of Posts is making efforts to restore services to the USA as soon as possible, and is working to clarify several critical processes relating to the designation of "qualified parties" and mechanisms for duty collection and remittance.
It's worth mentioning that Deutsche Post/DHL, an organization in Germany, was the first to fully suspend the booking of all categories of letters and parcels, including letters, documents, and gifts valued up to 100 USD for the USA, due to the new US customs regulations introduced under former President Donald Trump.
Furthermore, US-bound air carriers have expressed their inability to accept postal consignments after August 25, due to a lack of operational and technical readiness. The suspension of all bookings below USD 100 is a further extension of the temporary suspension of all types of postal articles destined for the USA, except for letters/documents and gift items valued at up to USD 100.
According to the Executive Order, transport carriers delivering shipments through the international postal network, or other "qualified parties" approved by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are required to collect and remit duties on postal shipments. However, several critical processes relating to the designation of "qualified parties" and mechanisms for duty collection and remittance remain undefined.
In conclusion, the suspension of all mail bookings to the USA is a significant development that affects customers and businesses alike. The Department of Posts is working diligently to address the issues and restore services as soon as possible. Customers with affected bookings are advised to contact their local post office for information on refunds and the status of their shipments.
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