**Summary:**
Effective August 25, 2025, the Department of Posts is temporarily suspending the booking of most postal articles destined for the United States of America. This action is a direct response to U.S. Executive Order No. 14324, effective August 29, 2025, which eliminates the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to USD 800. Under the new U.S. regulations, all international postal items, regardless of value, will be subject to customs duties under the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework, with the exception of gift items valued up to USD 100.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidelines issued on August 15, 2025, have not fully clarified the processes for designating qualified parties responsible for duty collection and remittance, leading to operational concerns among U.S.-bound air carriers. Consequently, these carriers have indicated their inability to accept postal consignments after August 25, 2025.
The suspension excludes letters/documents and gift items up to USD 100 in value, which will continue to be accepted and conveyed to the USA, pending further clarification from CBP and the United States Postal Service (USPS). The Department of Posts is actively monitoring the situation and working with stakeholders to restore full services as soon as possible. Customers who have booked articles that cannot be dispatched are eligible for a postage refund.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Communications: The Indian government ministry responsible for postal services.
Department of Posts: The government department responsible for postal services; operating under Ministry of Communications.
United States of America: The destination country for which postal services are being temporarily suspended.
Executive Order No. 14324: A U.S. order that withdraws the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to USD 800.
U.S. Administration: The executive branch of the United States government that issued the executive order.
International Emergency Economic Power Act IEEPA: The tariff framework under which international postal items destined for the USA will be subject to customs duties.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP: The U.S. agency responsible for collecting and remitting duties on postal shipments.
USPS: United States Postal Service
Ministry of Communications
Temporary Suspension of Postal Services to the
United States of America
Posted On: 23 AUG 2025 2:49PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Posts has taken note of the Executive Order No. 14324 issued by the U.S. Administration
on 30th July, 2025, under which the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to USD 800 will be
withdrawn with effect from 29th August, 2025. Consequently, all international postal items destined for the
USA, regardless of their value, shall be subject to customs duties as per the country-specific International
Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework. However, gift items up to the value of USD 100
shall continue to remain exempt from duties.
As per the Executive Order, transport carriers delivering shipments through the international postal network,
or other “qualified parties” approved by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are required to
collect and remit duties on postal shipments. While CBP issued certain guidelines on 15th August, 2025,
several critical processes relating to the designation of “qualified parties” and mechanisms for duty collection
and remittance remain undefined. Consequently, U.S. bound air carriers have expressed their inability to
accept postal consignments after 25th August, 2025, citing lack of operational and technical readiness.
In view of the above, the Department of Posts has decided to temporarily suspend booking of all types of
postal articles, destined for the USA with effect from 25th August, 2025 except letters/documents and gift
items up to USD100 in value. These exempt categories will continue to be accepted and conveyed to the
USA, subject to further clarifications from CBP and USPS.
The Department is closely monitoring the evolving situation in coordination with all stakeholders, and every
effort is being made to normalize services at the earliest possible opportunity.
Customers who have already booked articles that cannot be dispatched to the USA due to these circumstances
may seek a refund of postage. The Department of Posts deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to customers
and assures that all possible measures are being undertaken to resume full services to the USA at the earliest.
*****
Samrat/Allen
(Release ID: 2160099)