Suspension of Postal Services to the USA
The Department of Posts in India has announced a complete suspension of the booking and dispatch of all categories of postal articles to the United States. This decision results from operational constraints due to recent changes in US import tariff regulations.
Impact on Stakeholders
- Families and Students: Indian families and students in the US rely on postal services for essential items, such as medicines and legal documents.
- Small Exporters: Micro-exporters dealing in handicrafts and e-commerce depend on cost-effective postal services to ship goods to the US.
- Cost Concerns: Private couriers, although operational, are much more expensive, costing three to five times the postal rates for small shipments.
US Trade Regulations
An executive order by the US government, effective August 29, 2025, removed the duty-free exemption for goods valued up to $800. Now, all international shipments to the US are subject to customs duties, except for gift items up to $100 and certain documents.
Global Impact
- India is not alone in facing this issue; other countries like Korea, Singapore, Austria, Belgium, the UK, and Australia have also suspended US-bound shipments.
