India lifts temporary suspension on postal services to US, to resume from October 15
India announced on Tuesday the resumption of all categories of international postal services to the United States, effective October 15, following a temporary suspension. This decision comes after the successful implementation of a new Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) mechanism to comply with updated regulations issued by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), reports 24brussels.
The suspension of postal services to the US began on August 22, triggered by Executive Order 14324, which revoked de minimis treatment for all postal shipments. This withdrawal was necessitated by new US requirements mandating upfront duty collection and remittance for all incoming postal items.
According to the Ministry of Communications, “After extensive system development, coordination with CBP-approved Qualified Parties, and successful operational trials in the Delhi and Maharashtra Circles, India Post has now established a compliant DDP mechanism.” Under this system, all customs duties for postal shipments to the USA will be collected at the time of booking in India and remitted directly to US authorities, expediting customs clearance and ensuring smoother delivery for recipients.
In line with CBP guidelines, postal shipments from India to the US will incur a flat customs duty of 50 percent on the declared Free on Board (FOB) value, as detailed in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff. However, unlike courier or commercial shipments, no additional product-specific duties will be imposed, providing a cost advantage for exporters.
Significantly, India Post will not charge any extra fees for facilitating the DDP process. International postal tariffs will remain unchanged, thereby maintaining affordable export logistics for MSMEs, artisans, e-commerce sellers, and small traders. The Ministry emphasized, “Importantly, the Department of Posts will not levy any additional charges on customers for facilitating DDP and Qualified Party services. The postal tariffs will remain unchanged, ensuring that exporters continue to benefit from affordable international delivery rates while complying with the revised U.S. import requirements.”
All categories of international mail, including EMS, Air Parcels, Registered Letters or Packets, and Tracked Packets, can now be booked from any Post Office, International Business Centre (IBC), Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra (DNK), or via the India Post self-service portal. The Department stated that the DDP model provides complete transparency and simplifies the process, allowing senders to prepay all duties, ensuring a smooth delivery experience for US customers without unexpected charges or delays.
To promote awareness of this renewed postal export opportunity, Heads of Postal Circles have been instructed to conduct outreach programs focused on exporters and small businesses. The resumption of services marks a pivotal step in enhancing India’s global postal and export logistics network, which aligns with national initiatives such as Make in India, One District One Product (ODOP), and Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras (DNKs).
