New Delhi: The Department of Posts has announced a temporary suspension of most postal services to the United States, effective August 25, 2025. The decision comes after US-bound airlines refused to carry shipments due to unresolved operational challenges stemming from new American customs regulations.
The suspension was triggered by a US executive order issued on July 30, which mandates that from August 29, all goods valued above $100 will be subject to customs duties. The new rule also requires transport carriers or other approved “qualified parties” to collect and remit these duties.
In a statement, the Ministry of Communications explained that while the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released guidelines on August 15, key details remain unclear. These include the process for designating “qualified parties” and the technical mechanisms for duty collection. As a result, air carriers have stated they are not operationally ready to accept postal consignments after August 25.
The suspension will not affect all mail. Services for letters, documents, and gift items valued up to $100 will continue uninterrupted. “These exempt categories will continue to be accepted and conveyed to the US, subject to further clarifications from CBP and USPS,” the ministry’s statement said.
The Department of Posts is working with stakeholders to resolve the issue and aims to restore full services as soon as possible. Customers who have already booked articles that cannot be dispatched are eligible for a refund of postage. The ministry expressed regret for the inconvenience and assured that all possible measures are being taken to resume normal operations.