India Post suspends all mail to US over new customs regulations, tariffs

New Delhi: India Post has extended its suspension of all categories of mail destined for the United States, effective immediately, citing operational challenges arising from new US customs regulations.

This move follows the US Administration’s Executive Order No. 14324, which came into force on August 29, 2025, withdrawing the long-standing duty-free "de minimis" exemption for goods valued up to $800. As a result, every international postal shipment entering the US, regardless of value, will now attract customs duties under the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework.

India Post had initially suspended booking of all postal articles except letters, documents, and gift items valued up to $100 from August 25, 2025. However, with key processes for duty collection and remittance still unclear, India Post has now extended the suspension to include all categories.

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires transport carriers or approved parties to collect and remit duties on shipments. Despite guidelines issued in mid-August, essential operational details remain unresolved, leading many air carriers, including those from India, to declare their inability to accept US-bound postal consignments.

The suspension affects letters, parcels, documents, and gifts, disrupting international postal traffic. India Post is monitoring the issue closely and is exploring options such as collaborations with private courier services to mitigate the impact.

Customers who have already booked mail articles to the US and are affected by the suspension may claim postage refunds.

This disruption is part of a broader global response, with over 30 countries suspending or limiting postal services to the US following the tariff rules change. The suspension is expected to cause delays and increased costs for exporters, e-commerce businesses, and customers relying on international shipping to the US.