India’s Department of Posts has announced a temporary suspension of most postal services to the United States, effective August 25, 2025. This decision comes in response to a new U.S. Executive Order No. 14324, which terminates the duty-free “de minimis” exemption for goods valued up to USD 800, effective August 29.
Under the new policy, all international postal items destined for the U.S.—regardless of value—will now be subject to customs duties regulated under the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) framework.
What’s Still Allowed?
The suspension comes with specific exemptions:
- Letters and documents, as well as gift items up to USD 100 in value, will continue to be accepted and conveyed to the U.S.—pending further guidance from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and USPS.
Why Was the Decision Made?
The suspension is driven by practical and regulatory concerns:
- Unclear procedures: CBP’s guidelines issued on August 15 did not clarify how to designate “qualified parties” responsible for duty collection and remittance.
- Air carriers’ readiness: U.S.-bound air carriers have indicated an inability to carry postal consignments after August 25 due to technical and operational unpreparedness.
Impact: Who’s Affected
| Group | Potential Consequences |
|---|---|
| Students and Families | Delays in dispatching admission documents, essentials, medicines, and festive parcels. |
| Small Exporters | Handicraft and e-commerce sellers lose affordable shipping channels. |
| General Public | Reliant on affordable postal services for personal parcels now face challenges. |
Government Response & Next Steps
- Refunds: Customers with bookings for items that cannot be dispatched may request postage refunds.
- Monitoring and coordination: The Department of Posts is in touch with relevant stakeholders and working to restore full services soon.
Conclusion
India’s pause on postal shipments to the U.S. is a direct result of evolving international customs regulations and the absence of workable systems for duty collection. While letters, documents, and low-value gifts (under $100) remain unaffected, this suspension spells disruption for millions relying on affordable postal services.
