Carrier Status Updates Amid COVID-19

STATUS: Fully operational for domestic shipments, minor impacts to international shipments, signature requirements have changed

USPS and Mail Supply Chain Essential Government Services

The following provides information regarding the functions being performed by the mailing and printing industry in support of the essential government services being provided by the United States Postal Service to the American people.

The Postal Service’s provision of postal services throughout the United States is not affected by State and local government actions that are restricting commercial and personal activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Postal Service is an entity of the Federal Government, and the provision of postal services to the American people is designated as an essential function under federal law during times of emergency. The postal system is used to deliver, among other things, important governmental information and benefits, mail that is essential to the functioning of our economy, elections materials, and packages containing vital necessities, including medicines and other goods, and is a part of the nation’s critical infrastructure.

Postal and shipping workers, including those in the private sector, are also considered essential critical infrastructure workers under recent guidance issued by the Department of Homeland Security. White House and CDC guidance has also stated that such industries have a special responsibility to maintain normal work schedules.

The functioning of the postal system depends critically on the mailing and printing industry. Members of the mailing and printing industry work with the public and private sector to create, print, and enter essential mail into the postal system. The industry also serves a vital role in ensuring that packages are able to be efficiently shipped from sender to recipient.

Therefore, the Postal Service considers that the continued operations of the mailing and printing industry in enabling the delivery of critical mail and packages is vital to the Postal Service’s continued performance of its essential functions.

Signature Confirmation Update: For inbound mail deliveries, letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items will be handled as follows:

Items requiring signature on delivery will no longer be signed at the moment of handover to the recipient, for health, safety and security reasons. Instead, the postman will ask for the recipient’s name and will enter this information in the signature field of the handheld device or delivery manifest. This temporary measure came into force from Monday, 16 March 2020 and remains in effect until further notice. For delivery of items to a mail room, the addressee will receive a text message or telephone call. Deliveries to premises or areas needing to be closed down due to COVID-19 are suspended.

Business Closed—Hold Mail Update: In an effort to best serve our business customers, we are temporarily modifying how we handle mail that must be returned to the delivery office due to a full box, or the business not being open to receive delivery for an extended period.

Current postal policy is to return the mail to the delivery office, indicate the date the mail is first returned to be held, and hold for 10 days. In order to accommodate businesses during this challenging time, we will now extend the hold period to 30 days before returning the items to the sender.

Once the business reopens, delivery should immediately resume unless other arrangements have been made. If the business fails to make alternative delivery arrangements or does not submit a request to hold or forward its mail after 30 days, the process of returning mail to the sender will resume.

Management may make efforts to contact business owners for whom we are holding mail to discuss the alternative options.

If businesses make contact after the 30-day hold period and Moved, Left No Address (MLNA) orders have been processed, the USPS will extend assistance as necessary to cancel and immediately resume delivery.

These instructions shall remain in place until further notice.

On March 27, 2020, the Postal Service™ received notifications from various postal operators regarding changes in international mail services due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The following countries have suspended certain mail services:

Panama: Correos de Panamá has advised that the Panamanian government has adopted new public health measures, and has extended the countrywide curfew to 24 hours a day effective March 25, 2020, for the duration of the state of national emergency. Given this situation, all categories of inbound and outbound mail are suspended until further notice. Furthermore, Correos de Panamá is no longer in a position to guarantee delivery standards for incoming and outgoing mail and is invoking force majeure, until further notice.

Romania: CN Poșta Română SA has advised that, owing to the suspension of flights, it is currently unable to send letter-post and parcel-post items to an increasing number of countries both within and outside the European Union. Therefore, it is no longer accepting letter-post and parcel-post items for international destinations to which transport capacities are unavailable. In addition, it is unable to send any outbound Express Mail Service (EMS) items and will no longer accept such items until sufficient transport capacity becomes available

As a convenience for our customers, the Postal Service will continue to accept and process mail destined for the aforementioned countries. This mail will be held within our network and will be delivered once mail service is restored.

The following countries have announced service disruptions:

Cape Verde, Correios de Cabo Verde: has advised that the government of Cabo Verde has declared an emergency for at least three weeks beginning March 18, 2020. Cape Verde has closed its borders and suspended all flights to all EU countries, United States of America, Brazil, Senegal and Nigeria. All UPU member countries are advised to expect serious delays for both inbound and outbound mail as a result of the numerous flight reductions and cancellations. Correios de Cabo Verde will continue to operate during its normal working hours.

France: La Poste has advised that, until further notice, it is implementing additional safeguards for parcel-post items to protect the health and safety of La Poste’s staff, including;
• Offices of exchange FRAINB, FRBLDB, FRCYMA, FRDVRB, FRERNA, FRERNB, FRMCRA, FRSLMB and FRTLSJ will be closed on Monday, March 30, Tuesday, March 31, and Saturday, April 4, 2020;
• Effective Monday, March 30, 2020, only items weighing less than 15 kg and with a maximum package size of 12.5 x 9.4 x 9.4 inches (32 cm x 24 cm x 24 cm) will be delivered by its commercial network;
• Every effort will be made to provide the service, but delivery standards will not be guaranteed;
• All other packages will be subject to delayed service.

Germany: Deutsche Post has advised that owing to a lack of transport capacity following the cancellation of numerous international flights they have suspended the acceptance of postal items destined for the affected countries. The list of affected destination countries is likely to change every day, and an overview is available online at https://www.deutschepost.de/en/c/coronavirus.html. Suspensions will apply until sufficient transport capacities become available. Additionally, Deutsche Post has implemented physical distancing requirements: inbound items requiring a payment by the recipient, such as cash-on-delivery (COD) or the payment of customs duties and taxes, will be immediately directed to a postal outlet for collection. Recipients will receive a notification as to which postal outlet is holding their item for collection.

Hong Kong: Hong Kong Post has announced temporarily changes its delivery process for all items requiring signature on delivery. Effective, March 28, 2020, for letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery, when performing at-the-door delivery, mail carrier will not obtain a signature from the recipient to reduce human interaction. In case of an unsuccessful delivery attempt, the recipiHow does this one look?ent will receive a notification with instructions to collect the item at a designated post office. The collection arrangements at the post office remains unchanged.

Iceland: Iceland Post has advised that many international flights have been cancelled, resulting in a lack of transport capacity. Consequently, Iceland Post is currently unable to send postal items to any countries outside the European Union, with the exception of Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Norway, Russian Federation, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Iceland Post is therefore declaring a situation of force majeure. Delays are also to be expected for postal items destined for the Union member countries listed above.

New Zealand: New Zealand Post has advised that effective March 25, 2020, the Government of New Zealand has raised the COVID-19 alert level to 4 (the highest level) and introduced wide-ranging measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. New Zealand Post will remain in operation during the alert level 4 lockdown period, insofar as possible. However, New Zealand Post can no longer guarantee service delivery standards. It is therefore invoking a situation of force majeure in relation to any such standards, until further notice. A number of measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of both customers and staff, effective until further notice. These include the following:
• Delivery changes: The mail carrier will knock at the door as usual, step back away from the door, and ask for the recipient’s name to record proof of delivery.
• Over-the-counter services have been discontinued effective March 25, 2020. It will also mean a reduction in the capacity to accept international outbound items, and a reduction in export volumes is therefore to be expected while alert level 4 remains in effect.
• Businesses that are deemed to provide essential services are still able to send their products.
• Owing to the suspension of many flights and the resulting reduction in transport capacity, New Zealand Post is limited in its ability to send outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) to foreign countries. Please visit www.nzpost.co.nz/contact-support/international-mail-updates for up-to-date information on the affected countries.

Russian Federation: Russian Post has advised that, owing to the quarantine measures implemented in Moscow to minimize the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the fact that the principal office of exchange for imports is located in Moscow, Russian Post is unable to guarantee compliance with delivery standards. As a result, Russian Post is invoking a situation of force majeure with regard to quality of service for all categories of mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) until further notice.

Ukraine: Ukrposhta has advised that the Government of Ukraine declared a state of emergency across the country until April 24, 2020, to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus. Ukrposhta is maintaining its operations, with measures in place to protect staff and customers. Delays are to be expected in the delivery of all inbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) destined to Ukraine. In order to minimize human contact, it will not be mandatory for mail carriers to collect and provide written proof of delivery; registered items (other than summons) will be left in addressees’ mailboxes, and inbound international postal items will be stored at post offices free of charge until the end of the state of emergency.

These service disruptions affect Priority Mail Express International® (PMEI), Priority Mail International® (PMI), First-Class Mail International® (FCMI), First-Class Package International Service® (FCPIS®), International Priority Airmail® (IPA®), International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®), and M-Bag® items.

On March 18, 2020, the Postal Service™ received notifications from various postal operators regarding changes in international mail services due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Canada – Canada Post confirms that processing of inbound items from the US will proceed as normal and asks USPS to continue sending mail dispatches to Canada. While processing of domestic and inbound mail from USPS will continue as normal, there may be some delays on certain inbound mail items from USPS due to limited air network capacity. It should be noted, however, that the surface and air networks between USPS and Canada Post are operating smoothly. Given the potential for service delays for our customers, Canada Post is treating this situation as a case of force majeure.

The following countries have suspended some or all mail services:

Cayman Islands: Cayman Islands Postal Service has advised that the government has suspended all international flights. Therefore, the processing of all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items will be suspended from March 20, 2020, through April 12, 2020.

French Polynesia: OPT PF – FARE RATA has advised that it is currently unable to accept letter-post, parcel-post or EMS items until March 31, 2020.

Lebanon: LibanPost has advised that all passenger flights to and from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport have been suspended until March 29, 2020. Owing to this situation, LibanPost will be unable to offer outbound mail services (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) to international destinations.

Maldives: Maldives Post has advised that it is suspending the processing of all inbound and outbound letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items until March 28, 2020.

Mongolia: Mongol Post, has advised that all international flights to and from Ulaanbaatar are suspended until March 30, 2020, or later. Mongol Post is temporarily closing its international mail center until April 1, 2020.

Tunisia: La Poste Tunisienne has advised that all international flights in and out of Tunisia have been suspended. Therefore, the processing of all letter-post, parcel-post and Express Mail Service (EMS) items will be suspended until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.

As a convenience for our customers, the Postal Service will continue to accept and process mail destined for the aforementioned countries. This mail will be held within our network and will be delivered once mail service is restored.

Additionally, the following countries have announced service disruptions:

Chile: CorreosChile has advised that the following service changes are in affect for letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items:
1. Owing to a lack of international air transport capacity, international outbound mail has been suspended to all countries except Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay;
2. International inbound mail addressed to Easter Island will no longer be accepted;
3. There will be delays in the processing and delivery of international inbound mail;
4. Signature on delivery for international inbound mail will be suspended and replaced by delivery methods that limit direct physical contact.

Germany: Deutsche Post has announced changes for all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery. Beginning March 13, 2020, items that would ordinarily require the addressee’s signature can now be deposited in the addressee’s mailbox or in a secure location on their premises, with signature by the mail carrier on their portable device. In cases where items are delivered to the recipient in person, the mail carrier will likewise sign on the recipient’s behalf.

Honduras: Empresa de Correos de Honduras (Honducor) has advised that the entire territory of Honduras is under quarantine until at least March 21, 2020, or later. As a result, Honducor significantly reduced its workforce across the logistics chain the distribution of international mail will be subject to major delays until the situation returns to normal.

Jamaica: Jamaica Post has advised that from March 18, 2020, through March 24, 2020, Jamaica Post will be implementing a restructured operations program and will be unable to guarantee delivery standards for letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items, owing to adjusted operating hours of post offices and postal agencies. Customers should expect delays.

Philippines: Philippine Postal Corporation has advised that an enhanced community quarantine has been imposed in Metropolitan Manila and rest of Luzon island and several areas on Visayas and Mindanao islands, effective through April 12, 2020. Philippine Postal Corporation it will operate as follows during the community quarantine:
1. International mail processing centers will maintain a skeleton staff, in order to accept incoming mail until the total lockdown of international air and sea transport on March 20, 2020.
2. All post offices in areas placed under quarantine are closed.

Romania: Poșta Română has advised that new travel restrictions have led to massive cancellations of international flights. Owing to the suspension of air services to a number of international destinations, Poșta Română‎ is facing difficulties sending international postal items, and delays are to be expected for all types of inbound and outbound letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items.

On March 16, 2020, the Postal Service™ received notifications from various postal operators regarding changes in international mail services due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Australia: Australia Post has advised that written proof of delivery is suspended, until further notice, for inbound items.

Austria: Austrian Post has advised that significant delays are to be expected in the delivery of all inbound mail until April 14, or until regulatory measures are lifted. As a result, customers should expect delivery delays for all letters and parcels.

Cyprus: Cyprus Post has advised that significant delays are to be expected in the delivery of all inbound letter-post, parcel-post and Express Mail Service (EMS) items. Postal items that would ordinarily require written proof of delivery may, with the addressee’s consent, be deposited in the addressee’s mailbox or in a secure location on the addressee’s premises, with signature by the mail carrier.

El Salvador: Correos de El Salvador has advised that it will need to reduce its workforce across the logistics chain. As a result, customers should expect delivery delays for all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items.

Lithuania: Lithuania Post, has advised that all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery will be delivered to customers indirectly. Consequently, it will not be mandatory for mail carriers to collect and provide written proof of delivery.

Netherlands: PostNL has advised that all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery will no longer be signed at the time of delivery. For these items, the mail carrier will ask the recipient for the last three digits of the recipient’s ID reference number, and this information will be entered by the carrier in the signature field on their handheld device. This temporary measure will be effective until further notice.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Post has advised that all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery will be delivered to customers indirectly. The mandatory written proof of delivery will be suspended and instead delivery will be based on a code sent to the addressee’s mobile phone.

The service disruptions affect Priority Mail Express International® (PMEI), Priority Mail International® (PMI), First-Class Mail International® (FCMI), First-Class Package International Service® (FCPIS®), International Priority Airmail® (IPA®), International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®), and M-Bag® items.

Note: USPS prohibits shipment of hand sanitizers or flammable sanitizing wipes overseas.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Starting April 1, 2020, DHL Express will implement an emergency surcharge on shipments over 2.5KG in weight.

STATUS: Fully operational, with the exception of local government limitations

DHL is prepared to take operational measures in the event that DHL sites are specifically affected. These are aimed at limiting the consequences for the delivery of services and at least protecting other parts of our company. With regard to the Benelux, we are currently only experiencing consequences from and to those areas abroad that are designated as risk areas. In some cases, the local government has implemented strict controls to prevent the spread of the disease. In such cases, the collection, delivery and storage services of all carriers are suspended.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Effective March 26, 2020 and until further notice, UPS has suspended the UPS Service Guarantee for all shipments from any origin to any destination. For all U.S. origin shipments, the Service Guarantee suspension became effective as of March 24, 2020.

STATUS: Fully operational for domestic and international shipments

From the outset, UPS has maintained delivery services except where limited by government restrictions. We have also worked in partnership with governments around the world to obtain exceptions that allow our shipments to continue in restricted areas. Further, we have actively supported customers and partners by providing in-kind transport of more than 4 million masks and other medical supplies to mainland China to address the outbreak.

Importantly, the WHO and U.S. CDC have stated that the likelihood of the COVID-19 virus contaminating cardboard or other shipping containers is low. If there is a concern, disinfecting the shipment or using protective apparel when unwrapping the container will reduce the risk of exposure.

In addition to tracking your deliveries on UPS.com, where available, you can sign up for UPS My Choice. With the free UPS My Choice, you can tell your UPS driver where to leave your deliveries, redirect your deliveries to another address, and receive notifications on when to expect your deliveries from UPS.

For more details see UPS site.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Starting April 6, 2020, FedEx will implement a surcharge of up to $0.45 per pound on FedEx Express International Services to and from China, and other countries in the Asia Pacific region.

STATUS: Fully operational for domestic and international shipments, waiving signature requirements

As the world adjusts to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), first and foremost, we are being guided by the recommendations of the CDC, WHO and other leading health organizations. We are applying these recommendations to the more than 475,000 FedEx team members around the world who power our network. As such, we have taken a variety of actions, including:

Educating team members about the virus and sharing resources on how to keep the workplace clean
Encouraging team members to use good hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing
Reinforcing education and hygiene with regular workplace communications and reminders
Extending our safety precautions to the point of delivery
Temporarily suspending signature required for most deliveries in the U.S.
Except for shipments with adult signature required, physical signature not required for:
– FedEx Express (U.S. and Canada)
– FedEx Ground (U.S. and Canada)
– FedEx Freight (U.S.)
– FedEx Office in-store (U.S.)
– FedEx SameDay City (U.S.)

For more details see the FedEx site.

STATUS: Fully operational, waiving signature requirements

Following the direction of the Public Health Agency of Canada, we continue to introduce new safety measures to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Until further notice, these safety measures will now include a change to how we deliver the door-to-door items that normally require a signature.

To help minimize points of close contact in our communities, we will no longer be requesting signatures for any deliveries to the door. This will eliminate the need for scanners and stylus pens to be passed back and forth during the delivery process of these items.

Instead, where possible, our delivery agents will apply our safe drop process. This means they will leave these items in your mailbox or outside your door if it’s safe to do so. Where it’s not possible to safe drop, our delivery agent will leave a notice card indicating the post office where you can pick up your items by showing proof of identity.

For more details see the Canada Post site.