The Department of Posts announced the temporary suspension of nearly all postal services to the United States, effective from August 25, 2025. This includes letters, parcels, documents, and gift items valued up to $100 excepted. The move follows the recent U.S. Executive Order No. 14324, which eliminates the previous duty-free exemption under $800 for goods entering the U.S.

The new tariff rules have caused operational challenges for carriers and postal services, leading to the refusal of air carriers to transport U.S.-bound mail. Officials highlight the uncertainty around customs duty collection mechanisms and “qualified parties” responsible for remitting tariffs as the main reasons behind the disruption.

India joins more than 30 countries that have paused postal shipments to the U.S., impacting families, students, and small businesses reliant on cost-effective shipping. The Department of Posts assures close monitoring and coordination to resume services promptly, with refunds available for undeliverable consignments.

New U.S. Tariff Rules Usher Operational Challenges

On July 30, 2025, the U.S. government issued Executive Order No. 14324, formally withdrawing the longstanding de minimis exemption. This exemption allowed most goods worth up to $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.

Under the new regulation, effective August 29, 2025, all imports to the U.S., including postal parcels, irrespective of value, are subject to customs duties as per the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA). Importantly, only gift consignments valued up to $100 remain exempt.

The Executive Order also mandates that “qualified parties”-either transport carriers or designated agents approved by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)-must collect and remit these duties. However, critical aspects, such as the final list of qualified parties and operational frameworks for duty collection, remain undefined. This ambiguity has left carriers unwilling or unable to handle U.S.-bound mail shipments.

A senior postal official, L.K. Dash, pointedly stated, “If airlines refuse to carry the parcels, we simply have no alternative.” This logistical impasse has forced India Post to cease accepting bookings for most U.S.-destination parcels, sparing only letters, documents, and small-value gifts.

Global Disruptions and Impact on Users

India is not alone in this suspension. Over 30 countries, including those in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond, have halted or limited postal shipments to the U.S. due to these tariff changes. Postal operators in Germany, France, U.K., Australia, Japan, and others have paused sending merchandise parcels to the U.S., fearing unknown costs and the administrative burden of the new duties.

This widespread disruption affects millions who rely on affordable and reliable postal services. Indian families sending personal letters or gifts, students mailing academic documents, and small businesses exporting low-value goods find their communication and commerce interrupted. Though inbound mail from the U.S. remains generally unaffected, the outgoing postal blockade poses a significant connectivity challenge.

India Post is actively coordinating with international counterparts, including USPS and CBP, to expedite resolutions. Customers with bookings now suspended are eligible for refunds, with appeals underway for clearer duty collection mechanisms and reopening of services.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

While the enforcement of tariffs and trade regulations is a sovereign right, their sudden imposition without clear operational guidelines reveals a gap between policymaking and practical realities, impacting human connections and livelihoods. The suspension of India-U.S. postal routes serves as a reminder that global policies should be implemented with transparency, empathy, and dialogue to reduce unintended social and economic fallout.

The Logical Indian encourages all stakeholders-governments, postal authorities, carriers, and citizens—to keep communication channels open and collaborate to restore these vital links. At times like these, harmony and kindness in policymaking are as important as legality and economics.