India Post announces suspension of all US-bound mail bookings amid regulatory uncertainty

All international postal items destined for the USA, regardless of their value, were subjected to customs duties as per the country-specific International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework.

The Department of Posts, in a statement issued on Sunday, said that it has suspended the booking of all categories of mail destined for the United States, including letters, documents, and gift items valued up to $100, citing the carriers’ inability to transport consignments and the absence of defined regulatory mechanisms.

The decision follows an earlier public notice issued on August 22, which had allowed the booking of certain low-value postal items despite a broader suspension. That relaxation has now been withdrawn, bringing all categories of US-bound mail under suspension.

In a statement, the Ministry of Communications said, "The Department is closely monitoring the situation and making every effort to restore services at the earliest. Customers who have already booked items that could not be dispatched may claim a refund of postage,". "The inconvenience caused to valued customers is sincerely regretted."

Initially, the Department of Posts had temporarily suspended booking of all postal articles to the US from August 25, except for letters, documents, and gift items valued up to $100.

However, with carriers now refusing to accept even low-value consignments, the Department has extended the suspension to cover all categories of US-bound mail without exception.

The move comes after the US Administration issued Executive Order No. 14324 on July 30, which withdrew the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to $800 with effect from August 29.

As a result, all international postal items bound for the US are now subject to customs duties under the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework. The order requires transport carriers or other "qualified parties" approved by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect and remit duties on postal shipments.

Although CBP issued guidelines on August 15, critical processes — including the designation of "qualified parties" and the duty collection mechanisms — remain undefined.

In response, air carriers handling US-bound consignments conveyed their inability to accept postal mail after August 25, citing operational and technical challenges.