India Post Suspends Shipments to US from August 25 — Limited Exceptions

India’s Department of Posts suspends most mail services to the U.S. from August 25, 2025, except letters and small gifts (≤ USD 100). Refunds available.

India Post Suspends Most Shipments to the U.S. Starting August 25, 2025

New Delhi, August 23, 2025 — In response to newly implemented U.S. regulatory requirements, India’s Department of Posts has announced the suspension of bookings for most postal items destined for the United States starting August 25, 2025. The temporary halt applies to all categories of mail—except for letters, official documents, and gift items valued up to USD 100.

Why the Suspension? Regulatory Hurdles and Operational Challenges

The suspension follows an Executive Order by the U.S. administration (Executive Order No. 14324), effective August 29, 2025, which removes the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to USD 800. As a result, all postal items, irrespective of value, will now be subject to customs duties. Only gift items valued up to USD 100 remain temporarily exempt.

Further complicating the situation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has yet to establish clear guidelines defining “qualified parties” responsible for duty collection and remittance. Because of this lack of clarity, air carriers operating U.S.-bound routes have declared they cannot accept postal consignments after August 25, citing operational and technical unreadiness.

What’s Affected—And What’s Not

• ** Suspended Services**: All categories of mail items containing goods, including parcels and merchandise, will not be accepted for shipment to the U.S. from August 25, 2025.
• ** Exempted Services**:
  • Letters and documents (e.g., personal correspondences, official papers)
  • Gift items valued up to USD 100
    These will continue to be processed and dispatched as usual, subject to further clarification and guidance.

Support for Affected Customers

Recognizing the potential hardship for users with pre-booked items, the Department of Posts assures that customers may request postal refunds for consignments that cannot be dispatched due to the suspension.

The Department is actively monitoring the evolving situation, coordinating with stakeholders, and striving to restore regular service to the U.S. at the earliest opportunity.

Implications for Businesses and Individuals

• Individuals sending gifts or documents to the U.S. may proceed, provided the value of gift items does not exceed USD 100.
• Businesses, particularly those dispatching merchandise or commercial goods, must pause international shipments, or explore alternative options until the suspension is lifted.
• Forwarders or e-commerce operators need to update customer communications promptly, especially around refund policies and shipping timelines.

What’s Next—Looking Ahead

This suspension is expected to be temporary, pending the establishment of a standardized mechanism for duty collection and data-sharing aligned with CBP requirements. Once defined, the Department will resume full postal services to the U.S.

Customers are encouraged to stay updated via the Department of Posts’ official channels for announcements and clarification on permitted items, timeline for resumption, and refund procedures.

With the U.S. de minimis exemption ending and customs protocols still undefined, the Department of Posts has acted prudently to safeguard users and comply with evolving regulations. While disruptive, this temporary pause offers a structured approach to navigating complex international shipping requirements while ensuring minimal impact for essential and low-value items.

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