India Post halts all mail services to US amid uncertainty over new customs duty rules
PTC Web Desk: The Department of Posts has announced the suspension of all categories of mail to the United States, including letters, documents, and gift items valued up to $100. The move comes just days after India Post stopped accepting parcel services, as confusion persists over Washington’s new import duty regulations.
In an official notice issued on Friday, the department cited the inability of carriers to transport consignments and the absence of clear regulatory guidelines from US authorities as the primary reasons for the suspension.
“In view of the inability of carriers to transport US-bound mail, and undefined regulatory mechanisms, it has now been decided to completely suspend booking of all categories of mail, including letters/documents and gifts valued up to USD 100, destined to the USA,” the notice stated.
The postal department said it was closely monitoring the situation and assured that efforts were underway to restore services at the earliest. Customers who had already booked items that could not be dispatched are eligible for a refund of postage charges.
The disruption follows the Trump administration’s recent decision to withdraw the global “de minimis” rule that earlier allowed goods worth up to $800 to enter the US with minimal paperwork. Under the new order, effective August 29, every shipment to the US will attract customs duties, with the exception of gifts below $100, as outlined in the July 30 executive order.
The US order requires airlines or other approved entities to collect and remit customs duties on incoming parcels. However, with no clarity on which agencies will be responsible or how the duty collection mechanism will operate, airlines have opted not to carry shipments to the US.
India Post, which dispatches nearly 3 tonnes of cargo daily to the United States — adding up to 100–200 tonnes each month — has not yet tied up with private couriers but is considering exploring temporary arrangements to resume services.
India is not alone in facing disruptions. Reports indicate that more than 25 countries have suspended outbound postal services to the US due to the uncertainty surrounding transit and regulatory procedures.
- With inputs from agencies
