On 31-8-2025, the Department of Posts issued a decisive public notice announcing the complete suspension of all categories of mail to the United States of America. This includes letters, documents, and gift items valued up to $100, marking a full halt in postal connectivity between India and U.S. The move comes in the wake of persistent logistical challenges and undefined regulatory mechanisms that have made it impossible for carriers to transport U.S.-bound mail.
Background:
On 30-7-2025, the U.S. administration issued Executive Order No. 143241, titled ‘Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries’2. This sweeping directive revoked the longstanding de minimis exemption for goods valued under $800, with the new rules effective from 29-8-2025.
Under the revised framework:
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All inbound postal items, regardless of value, are now subject to customs duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (‘IEEPA’).
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Gift items valued up to $100 remain exempt, offering limited relief for personal shipments
Earlier, the de minimis exemption allowed low-value goods, including personal gifts and small commercial items, to enter the U.S. without incurring customs charges. Its withdrawal has introduced a complex compliance landscape for postal operators and logistics providers worldwide.
The Executive Order places the responsibility for duty collection and remittance on:
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Transport carriers operating through the international postal network
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Other “qualified parties” approved by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (‘CBP’)
Although CBP issued preliminary guidelines on August 15th, several critical components remain undefined:
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Formal designation of qualified parties
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Mechanisms for duty collection and remittance.
Due to this regulatory ambiguity, U.S.-bound air carriers have announced their inability to accept postal consignments beyond August 25th, citing a lack of technical readiness and procedural clarity.
The abrupt policy changes left postal operators globally without a defined compliance framework, leading to widespread disruption in international mail services, particularly impacting India Post.
Key highlights:
In response, the Department of Posts issued a public notice on 22-8-2025, later notifying it on 3 August 23rd, announcing a temporary suspension of mail bookings to the United States. The suspension initially applied to gift items valued above $100 and all non-document shipments, while letters, documents, and gifts under $100 continued to be accepted.
On 31-8-2025, in continuation of the earlier Notice on 22-8-2025, the India Post escalated its response by announcing a complete halt to all U.S. bound mail services. This includes letters, documents, and gift items under $100.
The Department cited the ongoing inability of carriers to transport mail and the absence of defined regulatory mechanisms as the primary reasons for the full suspension. Customers who have already booked items that could not be dispatched are eligible for postage refunds of postage.
Through its public notice, India Post expressed sincere regret for the inconvenience caused and assured the public that it is closely monitoring the situation and making every effort to restore services at the earliest possible date.
1. Federal Register :: Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries
2. Federal Register :: Notice of Implementation of the President’s Executive Order 14324, Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries
