New Delhi, August 31(HS): In a significant disruption to international postal services, India’s Department of Posts has announced a full suspension of booking for all categories of mail destined for the United States of America. This includes letters, documents, and gift items valued up to USD 100, effective immediately, citing the persistent inability of carriers to transport U.S.-bound mail amid an absence of clear regulatory frameworks.

This decision follows an earlier temporary suspension announced in late August and comes in response to new U.S. regulatory changes under Executive Order No. 14324, which took effect on August 29, 2025. The Order withdraws the longstanding global “de minimis” tariff exemption that previously allowed imports valued under USD 800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. Consequently, all postal goods entering the United States now face customs duties, except gift consignments up to USD 100 which remain exempt.

The Department highlighted that U.S. carriers and airlines have expressed their inability to transport postal shipments due to the undefined mechanisms for duty collection and the absence of designated “qualified parties” to handle tariff remittance, as stipulated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This logistical and regulatory impasse has left Indian postal authorities with no choice but to halt bookings across all mail categories, impacting millions of customers including businesses, families, and students relying on reliable postal links.

Customers who have booked parcels which cannot be dispatched are advised to claim full refunds of postage fees. The Department of Posts assured it is closely monitoring the situation and is actively collaborating with international stakeholders to restore services at the earliest possible date.

This suspension echoes similar decisions by over 25 countries facing the same operational challenges following the U.S. tariff revisions, underscoring the far-reaching impact of the new customs regime on global postal networks and trade.

The Department expressed sincere regret for the inconvenience caused to its valued clientele and reaffirmed its commitment to resuming seamless mail services to the United States as soon as regulatory clarity and carrier capacities are restored.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar