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The latest updates from our global carrier partners related to changes to their services amid COVID-19
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.
Expected Delivery Changes for Priority Mail and First-Class Package Services
U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail products and First-Class packages may require more time to be delivered due to limited transportation availability as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) impacts to the United States.
The Postal Service’s flagship Priority Mail Express service, which guarantees overnight service, will not change.
Service commitments for local 1-day Priority Mail will not change.
Priority Mail’s two and three day service commitments now will be extended to three and four days respectively. Customers will continue to receive end-to-end visibility and improved product tracking, as well as up to $50 in free insurance.
With the extra day extension, customers should expect delivery using Priority Mail Open and Distribute (PMOD) to range from two to four days nationwide.
First-Class Package Service (FCPS) two and three day service commitments will also be extended to three and four days respectively.
Global Express Guaranteed Services also have been altered. For a full list of international and domestic updates, refer to usps.com.
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.
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.
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result of ongoing concerns due to the Coronavirus, the U.S. Postal Service has created the following sites and email addresses to assist customers. To receive updated information and to find answers to your questions, here is a listing of available sites:
The following helpdesks are operating under contingency. To expedite assistance, you may opt to send an email to the following helpdesks:
If you are not receiving the USPS Industry Alerts, you can sign-up by sending an email to: IndustryAlert@usps.gov (Not the same as PCC Alerts). In the subject line, type: Add me to Industry Alerts and include your First Name and Last Name.
If you do not have a USPS Representative that currently assists you with your business needs, and you cannot find an answer to your question in either the PostalPro or USPS.com site, send an email to: IndustryFeedback@usps.gov
International Service Resumption Notice – effective March 26, 2021
Effective Friday, March 26, 2021, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of mail destined to the following:
This service resumption affects the following mail classes: 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.
The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
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UPDATE 147: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On March 18, 2021, MaltaPost, the designated operator of Malta, provided notification that, due to the COVID-19 emergency, and to new government measures to control the pandemic, inbound and outbound letter-post, parcel-post and EMS services remain severely disrupted owing to very limited airline capacity to Malta. This disruption is expected to continue until airlines resume normal operations and sufficient transportation capacity becomes available. Consequently, MaltaPost cannot currently guarantee delivery standards and times. Delays in the processing and delivery of mail are also to be expected throughout the islands of Malta, and compliance with quality of service standards will continue to be affected by force majeure.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
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UPDATE 146: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On March 17, 2021, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
These service updates 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
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The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective March 19, 2021, the Postal Service will suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following country, until further notice:
This service disruption affects 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.
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
For already deposited items, other than Global Express Guarantee® (GXG®), Postal Service International Service Center (ISC) employees will endorse the items as “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return.
Due to COVID-19, international shipping has been suspended to many countries. According to DMM 604.9.2.3, customers are entitled to a full refund of their postage costs when service to the country of destination is suspended.
The detailed procedures to obtain refunds for Retail Postage, eVS, PC Postage, and BMEU entered mail can be found through the following link: https://postalpro.usps.com/international-refunds
The Postal Service is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal. Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl
UPDATE 145: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On March 16, 2021, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Pošta Slovenije, the designated operator of Slovenia, advising that the Slovenian Government has extended the formal declaration of a national COVID-19 epidemic for another 30 days. Pošta Slovenije will continue to provide postal services with a reduced workforce. Quality of service for all types of inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) will continue to be affected. Therefore, the situation of force majeure previously declared will continue to apply until further notice.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
UPDATE 144: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On March 15, 2021, the Department of Posts, the designated operator of Sri Lanka, provided notification that the restrictions imposed on postal operations as a result of the spread of COVID-19 have been lifted as of March 8, 2021. The force majeure case is now closed and all mail processing and delivery operations on the island are back to normal. However, outbound international mail operations will depend on the availability of air and sea transport.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
UPDATE 142: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On March 9, 2021, OPT-NC, the designated operator of New Caledonia, provided notification that following the detection of the first cases of COVID-19, a strict lockdown has been decreed in New Caledonia until further notice. As a result, for all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring a signature upon delivery, the signature of the addressee will be replaced by that of the postman/woman or the OPT-NC agent.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
UPDATE 141: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On March 3, 2021, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:
Czech Republic UPDATE: Česká Pošta s.p. has advised that, in response to a significant rise in the number of COVID-19 infections, the Czech Government has extended the state of emergency until at least March 21, 2021. The processing and delivery of all types of inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) will continue to be affected, and Česká pošta is unable to guarantee compliance with the agreed standards. As a result, force majeure is extended until further notice, and previously announced restrictions continue to apply.
Indonesia UPDATE: Pos Indonesia has advised that the previously announced force majeure remains in effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of alert declared by the Indonesian government.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
These service updates 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
International Service Suspension Notice – effective March 5, 2021
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective March 5, 2021, the Postal Service will suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following countries, until further notice:
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.
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
For already deposited items, other than Global Express Guarantee® (GXG®), Postal Service International Service Center (ISC) employees will endorse the items as “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return.
Due to COVID-19, international shipping has been suspended to many countries.According to DMM 604.9.2.3, customers are entitled to a full refund of their postage costs when service to the country of destination is suspended.
The detailed procedures to obtain refunds for Retail Postage, eVS, PC Postage, and BMEU entered mail can be found through the following link: https://postalpro.usps.com/international-refunds
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UPDATE 141: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On March 3, 2021, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:
Czech Republic UPDATE: Česká Pošta s.p. has advised that, in response to a significant rise in the number of COVID-19 infections, the Czech Government has extended the state of emergency until at least March 21, 2021. The processing and delivery of all types of inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) will continue to be affected, and Česká pošta is unable to guarantee compliance with the agreed standards. As a result, force majeure is extended until further notice, and previously announced restrictions continue to apply.
Indonesia UPDATE: Pos Indonesia has advised that the previously announced force majeure remains in effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of alert declared by the Indonesian government.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail
These service updates 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
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UPDATE 140: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On March 1, 2021, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
These service updates 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
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UPDATE 139: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On February 26, 2021, Canada Post, the designated operator of Canada, provided notification that processing operations at Gateway East have now resumed the regular three-shift daily schedule. However, delays in the processing of mail items are still to be expected, as Canada Post continues with contingency plans to deal with higher than normal volumes.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
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UPDATE 138: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On February 24, 2021, the Postal Service™ received a notification from New Zealand Post, the designated operator of New Zealand, advising that, Auckland has returned to Alert Level 1 of the national pandemic plan, joining the rest of country. However, New Zealand Post has decided to implement Alert Level 2 safety protocols in most of the Greater Auckland area, in order to protect New Zealand Post staff and to keep its sites operating. The Level 2 safety protocols (social distancing, restricted staff numbers, mandatory face masks, contactless deliveries and collections) will be implemented at the international office of exchange, major mail and parcel processing centres and all operational sites, as well as at collection points and during deliveries.
Areas impacted:
Postcodes areas impacted:
0600, 0602, 0604, 0610, 0612, 0614, 0616, 0618, 0814, 0816, 1010, 1011, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 1041, 1042, 1050, 1052, 1060, 1061, 1062, 1072, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2102, 2103, 2104, 2105, 2110, 2112, 2113, 2120, 2123, 2473, 2571, 2576, 2577, 2578, 2580, 2582, 2583, 2584, 2585, 2675, 2679, 2684
Given the current restrictions, New Zealand Post cannot guarantee the service delivery standards in the above-mentioned areas and postcodes.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
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COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE SUSPENSION NOTICE
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective February 26, 2021, the Postal Service will suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following country, until further notice:
This service disruption affects 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.
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UPDATE 137: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On February 23, 2021, the Postal Service™ received a notification from South African Post Office Ltd. (SAPO), the designated operator of South Africa, advising that that it is still operating under adjusted level 3 lockdown status. As a result, all previous provisions, including force majeure, remain in effect until March 15, 2021.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
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UPDATE 136: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On February 19, 2021, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Barbados Postal Service, the designated operator of Barbados, advising that the Government of Barbados has extended the national pause until February 28, 2021. As a result, some flights have been reduced or cancelled. This reduced transportation capacity may lead to delays in both inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items). Therefore, service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed, and the situation of force majeure previously declared remains in place.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
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UPDATE 135: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On February 18, 2021, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Hongkong Post, the designated operator of Hong Kong, advising that the measures taken to limit the spread of COVID-19 have been lifted and the case of force majeure previously announced has been closed.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
Keeping you informed about classification and mailing standards of the United States Postal Service
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UPDATE 134: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On February 16, 2021, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
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February 12, 2021
DMM Advisory
Keeping you informed about classification and mailing standards of the United States Postal Service
UPDATE 133: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On February 12, 2021, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Hellenic Post (ELTA), the designated operator of Greece, advising that, as of February 11, 2021, the Government implemented even stricter lockdown measures in the Attica region. It is very likely that the same will apply to other regions during the coming days. As a result, there will be a direct impact on all postal operations until further notice.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
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DMM Advisory
Keeping you informed about classification and mailing standards of the United States Postal Service
UPDATE 131: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On February 8, 2021, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
These service updates 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.
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February 3, 2021
DMM Advisory
Keeping you informed about classification and mailing standards of the United States Postal Service
International Service Resumption Notice – effective February 5, 2021
Effective Friday, February 5, 2021, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of mail destined to the following:
This service resumption affects the following mail classes: 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.
The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
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February 2, 2021
DMM Advisory
Keeping you informed about classification and mailing standards of the United States Postal Service
UPDATE 130: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On February 2, 2021, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
These service updates 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.
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February 1, 2021
DMM Advisory
Keeping you informed about classification and mailing standards of the United States Postal Service
UPDATE 129: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On February 1, 2021, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
These service updates 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.
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January 27, 2021
DMM Advisory
Keeping you informed about classification and mailing standards of the United States Postal Service
International Service Suspension Notice – effective January 29, 2021
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective January 29, 2021, the Postal Service will suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following countries, until further notice:
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.
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DMM Advisory
Keeping you informed about classification and mailing standards of the United States Postal Service
UPDATE 128: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On January 26, 2021, Canada Post, the designated operator of Canada, provided notification that due to an increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases resulting in staff shortages, one shift has been temporarily closed at their Gateway East processing plant in the Greater Toronto Area. However, the Toronto exchange office, located in a separate area of the Gateway plant, continues to operate, albeit with a reduced workforce. Given this situation, disruption to normal operations and reduced processing capacity and clearance within customs operations for both inbound and outbound mail items are to be expected.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
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UPDATE 127: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On January 25, 2021, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
UPDATE 126: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19
On January 20, 2021, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:
These service updates 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.The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
Effective December 4, 2020, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of mail destined to the following:
This service resumption affects the following mail classes: 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.
The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
On December 1, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
These service updates 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 November 25, 2020, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Correos y Telégrafos, the designated operator of Spain, advising that in order to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the Spanish Government has extended the previously announced state of emergency until May 9, 2021 or a later date. Therefore, the situation of force majeure previously declared remains in place. As a result, Correos y Telégrafos remains unable to guarantee quality of service for all types of inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) and compliance with delivery standards for items requiring signature.
Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service update affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective November 27, 2020, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following, until further notice:
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.
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
For already deposited items, other than Global Express Guarantee® (GXG®), Postal Service International Service Center (ISC) employees will endorse the items as “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return.
Due to COVID-19, international shipping has been suspended to many countries. According to DMM 604.9.2.3, customers are entitled to a full refund of their postage costs when service to the country of destination is suspended.
The detailed procedures to obtain refunds for Retail Postage, eVS, PC Postage, and BMEU entered mail can be found through the following link: https://postalpro.usps.com/international-refunds
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE SUSPENSION NOTICE – effective November 6, 2020
Effective November 6, 2020, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following, until further notice:
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE RESUMPTION NOTICE
Effective October 23, 2020, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of mail destined to the following four (4) countries:
These service resumptions affect the following mail classes: 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.
The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE RESUMPTION NOTICE
Effective October 16, 2020, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of mail destined to the following four (4) countries:
These service resumptions affect the following mail classes: 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.
The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl
The Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to destinations currently impacted by COVID-19.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following countries, until further notice:
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE RESUMPTION NOTICE
Effective July 17, 2020, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of mail destined to the following twenty-four (24) countries:
| Bahrain | Ethiopia | Lebanon | Pakistan |
| Benin | Faroe Island | Lesotho | St. Marten |
| Burkina Faso | Ghana | Maldives | Sri Lanka |
| Burundi | Grenada | Mozambique | Suriname |
| Cape Verde | Guinea Bissau | Namibia | Swaziland (Eswatini) |
| Curacao | Kenya | Nigeria | Zambia |
These service resumptions affect the following mail classes: 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.
The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
International Service Resumption Notice – effective July 2, 2020
Effective July 2, 2020, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of mail destined to the following countries:
These service resumptions affect the following mail classes: 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.
The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
International Service Resumption Notice
Effective June 26, 2020, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of mail destined to the following countries:
These service resumptions affect the following mail classes: 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.
The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective June 26, 2020, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following countries, until further notice:
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.
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
For already deposited items, other than Global Express Guarantee® (GXG®), Postal Service employees will endorse the items as “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return.
Due to COVID-19, international shipping has been suspended to many countries. According to DMM 604.9.2.3, customers are entitled to a full refund of their postage costs when service to the country of destination is suspended.
The detailed procedures to obtain refunds for Retail Postage, eVS, PC Postage, and BMEU entered mail can be found through the following link: https://postalpro.usps.com/international-refunds
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective June 12, 2020, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following countries, until further notice:
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.
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
For already deposited items, other than Global Express Guarantee® (GXG®), Postal Service employees will endorse the items as “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return.
Due to COVID-19, international shipping has been suspended to many countries. According to DMM 604.9.2.3, customers are entitled to a full refund of their postage costs when service to the country of destination is suspended.
The detailed procedures to obtain refunds for Retail Postage, eVS, PC Postage, and BMEU entered mail can be found through the following link: https://postalpro.usps.com/international-refunds
The Postal Service is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal. Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl
On June 10, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
On June 5, 2020, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Liechtensteinische Post, the designated postal operator of Liechtenstein, advising that the COVID 19 situation in Liechtenstein has now improved sufficiently for postal services to again be provided as normal.
This service disruption affects 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 June 4, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service disruption affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
On June 2, 2020, the Department of Defense notified the Postal Service™ that effective June 4, 2020, the temporary service suspension to the DPO ZIP codes listed below will be LIFTED:
| City | State | ZIP Code | City | State | ZIP Code | City | State | ZIP Code | ||
| DPO | AE | 09283-9997 | DPO | AE | 09820-9997 | DPO | AE | 09860-9997 | ||
| DPO | AE | 09488-9997 | DPO | AE | 09828-9997 | DPO | AE | 09864-9997 | ||
| DPO | AE | 09489-9997 | DPO | AE | 09831-9997 | DPO | AE | 09867-9997 | ||
| DPO | AE | 09734-9997 | DPO | AE | 09846-9997 | DPO | AE | 09869-9997 | ||
| DPO | AE | 09813-9997 | DPO | AE | 09854-9997 | DPO | AP | 96532-9997 | ||
| DPO | AE | 09817-9997 | DPO | AE | 09857-9997 |
Additionally, on June 2, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
This service disruption affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
Effective May 29, 2020, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of mail destined to the following country:
This service resumption affects the following mail classes: 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.
The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
On May 26, 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 announced service disruptions:
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.
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective May 22, 2020, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where the foreign postal operator has indicated that they are unable to process or deliver international mail or services originating from the United States.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following country, until further notice:
In addition, effective May 22, 2020, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following countries, until further notice:
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.
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
For already deposited items, other than Global Express Guarantee® (GXG®), Postal Service employees will endorse the items as “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return.
Due to COVID-19, international shipping has been suspended to many countries. According to DMM 604.9.2.3, customers are entitled to a full refund of their postage costs when service to the country of destination is suspended.
The detailed procedures to obtain refunds for Retail Postage, eVS, PC Postage, and BMEU entered mail can be found through the following link: https://postalpro.usps.com/international-refunds.
INTERNATIONAL MAIL SERVICE SUSPENSIONS
The Postal Service™ is temporarily suspending international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Suspension Due to Foreign Postal Operator Service Suspension | |||
| Bolivia | Fiji | Madagascar | Peru |
| Botswana | French Polynesia | Malawi | Rwanda |
| British Virgin Islands | Honduras | Maldives | Samoa |
| Cayman Islands | India | Mauritius | South Africa |
| Chad | Iraq | Mongolia | Sri Lanka |
| Curacao | Kyrgyzstan | Nepal | Zimbabwe |
| Dominican Republic | Kuwait | New Caledonia | |
| Ecuador | Libya | Panama | |
| Suspension Due to Unavailability of Transportation | |||
| Algeria | Costa Rica | Liberia | South Sudan |
| Angola | Cuba | Mauritania | Sudan |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Morocco | Suriname |
| Argentina | Egypt | Mozambique | Swaziland (Eswatini) |
| Aruba | Ethiopia | Namibia | Tajikistan |
| Azerbaijan | Faroe Island | Nicaragua | Tanzania |
| Bahamas | Gambia | Nigeria | Timor-Leste |
| Bahrain | Ghana | Oman | Tonga |
| Bangladesh | Grenada | Pakistan | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Barbados | Guatemala | Papua New Guinea | Tunisia |
| Belize | Guinea Bissau | Paraguay | Turks & Caicos |
| Benin | Guyana | Philippines | United Arab Emirates |
| Bermuda | Haiti | Qatar | Uganda |
| Burkina Faso | Jamaica | Republic of Congo | Uruguay |
| Burundi | Kazakhstan | Saudi Arabia | Vanuatu |
| Cameroon | Kenya | Senegal | Venezuela |
| Cape Verde | Kiribati | Seychelles | Yemen |
| Chile | Laos | Sierra Leone | Zambia |
| Colombia | Lebanon | Sint Maarten | |
| Cook Islands | Lesotho | Solomon Islands | |
Customers: please refrain from mailing items addressed to the countries listed here, until further notice.
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.
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
| For already deposited items, other than GXG: | Postal Service employees endorse them “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return. |
| For any returned item bearing a customs form: | The Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service. |
| For all other returned items not bearing a customs declarations form: | Either:
|
Global Express Guaranteed® Service Suspensions and Disruptions
Effective May 19, 2020, the Postal Service is temporarily suspending international mail acceptance of Global Express Guarantee® (GXG®) to the following destinations:
| Suspension of Global Express Guaranteed Service | |||
| Bhutan | Gambia | Nepal | Uganda |
| Burundi | Kiribati | Norfolk Island | Vanuatu |
| Cape Verde | Laos | Republic of the Congo | Wallis and Futuna |
| Eritrea | Liberia | Seychelles | |
| French Polynesia | Mongolia | Timor-Leste | |
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
Customers: please refrain from mailing items addressed to the countries listed here, until further notice.
Please see the following advance notification of resumption of acceptance of mail to nine countries, effective Friday, May 22, 2020.
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE RESUMPTION NOTICE – effective May 22, 2020
Effective May 22, 2020, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of mail destined to the following countries:· Antigua and Barbuda
· Aruba
· Barbados
· Belize
· Colombia
· Jamaica
· New Caledonia
· Nicaragua
· Trinidad and Tobago
These service resumptions affect the following mail classes: 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.The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
Effective May 22, 2020, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of mail destined to the following countries:
These service resumptions affect the following mail classes: 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.
The Postal Service is closely monitoring these service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situations return to normal. Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl.
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS
Military & Diplomatic Mail (APO/FPO/DPO) Service Disruptions
On April 8, 2020, the Department of State notified the Postal Service that effective April 9, 2020 through June 4, 2020 diplomatic mail (DPO) is temporarily suspended to the ZIP Codes™ listed here. We ask customers to refrain from entering items addressed to these destinations, until further notice.
Customers: please refrain from mailing items addressed to the following countries, until further notice.
| City | State | ZIP Code | City | State | ZIP Code | |
| DPO | AE | 09178-9997 | DPO | AE | 09831-9997 | |
| DPO | AE | 09283-9997 | DPO | AE | 09846-9997 | |
| DPO | AE | 09488-9997 | DPO | AE | 09854-9997 | |
| DPO | AE | 09489-9997 | DPO | AE | 09857-9997 | |
| DPO | AE | 09734-9997 | DPO | AE | 09860-9997 | |
| DPO | AE | 09813-9997 | DPO | AE | 09864-9997 | |
| DPO | AE | 09817-9997 | DPO | AE | 09867-9997 | |
| DPO | AE | 09820-9997 | DPO | AE | 09869-9997 | |
| DPO | AE | 09826-9997 | DPO | AP | 96210-9997 | |
| DPO | AE | 09828-9997 | DPO | AP | 96532-9997 |
On May 19, 2020, the Postal Service™ received a notification from La Poste de Djibouti S.A., the designated postal operator of Djibouti, advising that in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, effective immediately a signature is no longer required upon delivery and items normally requiring a signature will be delivered using methods that minimize direct contact.
This service disruption affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
On May 18, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE IMPACT
ALTERNATE TRANSPORT: THIRD AIR TO SEA DIVERSION IN EFFECT
On May 15, 2020, a third sea transport departed with volume from the Chicago, JFK, and Miami International Service Centers and is estimated to arrive at the Rotterdam (Netherlands) port on June 9, 2020. Sea route arrival dates are not exact and may vary depending on weather related events and queuing at port of arrival. The vessel is carrying 24,013 receptacles in twenty-two (22) containers weighing 143,807 kilograms. It is serving mail destined to:
| · Austria | · Denmark | · Hungary | · Poland | · Sweden |
| · Czech Republic | · Finland | · Netherlands | · Spain | · Switzerland (Geneva and Zurich) |
When calculating estimated delivery times, additional days required for unloading, customs clearance and road transit should be considered. The table below outlines a typical sea transit delivery cycle that begins upon arrival to the destined port:
| Rotterdam Port Unloading | Rotterdam Port Custom Clearance/Clear Customs | Rotterdam Port Transit to Den Hague OE | Den Hague OE Acceptance & Sorting | Den Hague OE Road Transit to Delivery Address |
| 1-2 Days | 2 Days | 1 Day | 2-3 Days | 1-4 Days |
This transportation alternative will be used for the following mail classes: 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.
Alternate transit options will remain in effect until sufficient air transportation capacity becomes available.
The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl
The Postal Service™ is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal. Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl
On May 13, 2020, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Correos y Telégrafos, the designated postal operator of Spain, advising that the Spanish Government has extended the state of alert until May 24, 2020. As a result, Correos y Telégrafos is unable to guarantee compliance with delivery standards for items requiring signature and major impacts on processing and distribution of all international mail should be expected until the situation returns to normal.
This service disruption affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
On May 12, 2020, the Postal Service™ received a notification from bpost, the designated postal operator of Belgium, advising that effective May 12, 2020, it is able to send letter-post and parcel-post items to certain destinations, including the United States of America. Owing to limited transportation, bpost is still not able to guarantee delivery standards, therefore force majeure continues.
This service disruption affects 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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
On May 11, 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 announced service disruptions:
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 May 8, 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 announced service disruptions:
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 May 7, 2020, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Liechtensteinische Post, the designated postal operator of Liechtenstein, advising that effective May 11, 2020, delivery of registered letters and parcels will require the addressee’s signature or at the addressee’s option, the deliverer’s signature. If the customer is not at home to sign, the item will be delivered to the relevant postal branch as usual.
On May 6, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
On May 5, 2020, the Department of Defense notified the Postal Service™ that effective May 7, 2020, the temporary service suspension to the DPO ZIP codes listed below will be LIFTED:
| City | State | ZIP Code |
| DPO | AE | 09289-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09701-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09802-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09808-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09842-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09895-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34004-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34022-9997 |
Additionally, on May 5, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
On May 4, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
COVID-19 Assessment Mitigation Policy for Mailers
In the event planned mailings have been or will be held due to COVID-19 impacts, the USPS will work to mitigate specific scorecard metrics that may have resulted in assessments for the months of February, March, April, May and June of 2020. Impacted mailers should follow the contingency plan exception request outlined in the COVID-19 Business Mail Entry Facility Contingency Plan for Mailers and located on PostalPro.
All mailings that have been placed on hold due to COVID-19 should be mailed no later than June 30, 2020. Any mailings entered after this date will be verified under the established assessment process for each metric with the expectation they are compliant with all mailer quality metrics.
For the months of February 2020 through June 2020 the Postal Service may waive any assessments resulting on the Mailer Scorecard due to COVID-19. Mailers will request an exception during the review process and provide any supporting documentation to the local Business Mail Entry Manager to start the process. The Streamlined Mail Entry program metrics that may result in assessments requiring mitigation are listed below:
Full Service
Move Update
Seamless
eInduction
The Postal Service is exploring an option to automatically place Streamlined Mail Entry program assessments into a Review Request status for mailers with an approved COVID-19 mailing exception. This will allow the USPS to take errors logged on mailings that were delayed to COVID-19, into consideration.
On May 1, 2020, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Ukrposhta, the designated postal operator of Ukraine, advising that the state of emergency has been extended until May 11, 2020. Therefore, all previously announced measures, including force majeure, continue to apply.
This service disruption affects 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.
Following is the complete list of the 112 countries for which there is a temporary suspension of international mail acceptance due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic as of Friday, May 1, 2020:
| Algeria | Gambia | Pakistan |
| Angola | Ghana | Panama |
| Antigua & Barbuda | Grenada | Papua New Guinea |
| Argentina | Guatemala | Paraguay |
| Aruba | Guinea Bissau | Peru |
| Azerbaijan | Guyana | Philippines |
| Bahamas | Haiti | Qatar |
| Bahrain | Honduras | Rwanda |
| Bangladesh | India | Samoa |
| Barbados | Iraq | Saudi Arabia |
| Belize | Israel | Senegal |
| Benin | Jamaica | Seychelles |
| Bermuda | Kazakhstan | Sierra Leone |
| Bolivia | Kenya | Solomon Islands |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Kiribati | South Africa |
| Botswana | Kuwait | South Sudan |
| Burkina Faso | Kyrgyzstan | Sri Lanka |
| Burundi | Laos | St. Marten |
| Cameroon | Lebanon | Sudan |
| Cape Verde | Lesotho | Suriname |
| Cayman Islands | Liberia | Swaziland (Eswatini) |
| Chad | Libya | Tajikistan |
| Chile | Madagascar | Tanzania |
| Colombia | Malawi | Timor-Leste |
| Congo, Democratic Republic of the | Maldives | Tonga |
| Congo, Republic of the | Mauritania | Trinidad &Tobago |
| Cook Islands | Mauritius | Tunisia |
| Costa Rica | Moldova | Turks & Caicos |
| Cuba | Mongolia | UAE |
| Curacao | Montenegro | Uganda |
| Dominican Republic | Morocco | Uruguay |
| Ecuador | Mozambique | Vanuatu |
| Egypt | Namibia | Venezuela |
| Estonia | Nepal | Yemen |
| Ethiopia | New Caledonia | Zambia |
| Faroe Island | Nicaragua | Zimbabwe |
| Fiji | Nigeria | |
| French Polynesia | Oman |
On April 30, 2020, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Slovenska Pošta, the designated postal operator Slovakia, advising that effective April 23, 2020, collection of signature on delivery has resumed. Deliveries will not be made to customers who are quarantined. Effective May 1, 2020, standard collection arrangements will resume, but with a collection period of 18 calendar days. If it is not possible to deliver the item owing to quarantine measures, it will be returned to the sender with reason for return indicated as “quarantine”.
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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
On April 29, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
The following country has announced service disruptions:
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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
On April 28, 2020, the Postal Service received notification from CN Poșta Română SA, the designated operator for Romania, advising that the President of Romania has extended the state of emergency until May 14, 2020. Therefore, the previously declared force majeure remains in effect. Delays are to be expected for all types of inbound and outbound letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items until the end of the state of emergency.
This service disruption affects 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.
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE IMPACT
ALTERNATE TRANSPORT: SECOND AIR TO SEA DIVERSION in Effect
On April 27, 2020, a second sea transport departed with volume from the Chicago, JFK, and Miami International Service Centers and is estimated to arrive at the Rotterdam (Netherlands) port on May 15, 2020. Sea route arrival dates are not exact and may vary depending on weather related events and queuing at port of arrival. The vessel is carrying 6,382 receptacles in six (6) containers weighing 33,593 kilograms. It is serving mail destined to:
| · Austria | · Denmark | · Hungary | · Poland | · Sweden |
| · Czech Republic | · Finland | · Netherlands | · Spain | · Switzerland (Geneva and Zurich) |
When calculating estimated delivery times, additional days required for unloading, customs clearance and road transit should be considered. The table below outlines a typical sea transit delivery cycle that begins upon arrival to the destined port:
| Rotterdam Port Unloading | Rotterdam Port Custom Clearance/Clear Customs | Rotterdam Port Transit to Den Hague OE | Den Hague OE Acceptance & Sorting | Den Hague OE Road Transit to Delivery Address |
| 1-2 Days | 2 Days | 1 Day | 2-3 Days | 1-4 Days |
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.
Alternate transit options will remain in effect until sufficient air transportation capacity becomes available.
International Service Impacts – Country Suspensions as of May 1, 2020
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective May 1, 2020, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to a destination where transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following country, until further notice:
Namibia
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.
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
For already deposited items, other than Global Express Guarantee® (GXG®), Postal Service employees will endorse the items as “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return.Due to COVID-19, international shipping has been suspended to many countries.According to DMM 604.9.2.3, customers are entitled to a full refund of their postage costs when service to the country of destination is suspended.
The detailed procedures to obtain refunds for Retail Postage, eVS, PC Postage, and BMEU entered mail can be found through the following link: https://postalpro.usps.com/international-refunds
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
Handling mail for temporarily closed businesses — Hold Mail extended through May 30, 2020
The Postal Service is committed to assisting businesses impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
For business customers, temporary modifications continue to be implemented on how mail is handled that must be returned to the delivery office due to a full box or a business not being open to receive delivery for an extended period. Current postal policy during the pandemic is to return the mail to the delivery office and hold it until April 30, 2020. In order to further accommodate businesses during this challenging time, this deadline is now being extended into a longer hold period through May 30, 2020. In addition, there will be a 15-day grace period following May 30, 2020, before mail items are returned to the sender.
Once the business reopens, delivery should immediately resume unless other arrangements have been made. Business customers may request to have their held mail delivered or they can pick it up at their local Post Office. If a business fails to make alternative delivery arrangements or does not submit a request to hold or forward its mail after May 30 and the 15-day grace period, the process of returning mail to the sender will resume.
Business owners with held mail may be contacted by postal management to discuss alternative options.
Assistance will be extended as necessary to businesses who make contact after May 30, 2020, to ensure the cancellation of Moved Left No Address Orders and to immediately resume delivery.
On April 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
The following countries have announced service disruptions:
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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective April 24, 2020, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where the foreign postal operator has indicated that they are unable to process or deliver international mail or services originating from the United States.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following countries, until further notice:
In addition, effective April 24, 2020, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following countries, until further notice:
| · Algeria | · Egypt | · Montenegro |
| · Antigua & Barbuda | · Estonia | · Morocco |
| · Argentina | · Ethiopia | · Nicaragua |
| · Aruba | · Faroe Island | · Nigeria |
| · Azerbaijan | · Ghana | · Pakistan |
| · Bahamas | · Grenada | · Philippines |
| · Bahrain | · Haiti | · Qatar |
| · Bangladesh | · Iraq | · Sierra Leone |
| · Barbados | · Israel | · St. Marten |
| · Belize | · Jamaica | · Suriname |
| · Chile | · Kazakhstan | · Trinidad &Tobago |
| · Burkina Faso | · Liberia | · Tunisia |
| · Colombia | · Mauritania | · Turks & Caicos |
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.
International Service Impact: Alternate Transport – Air to Sea Diversion in Effect
Effective April 20, 2020, the Postal Service™ will utilize sea transportation to address the issue of limited air transportation resulting from widespread flight cancellations and restrictions due to COVID-19. This option will remain in effect until sufficient air transportation capacity becomes available.
The first sea transport departed from the JFK International Service Center on April 20, 2020, and is estimated to arrive at the Rotterdam (Netherlands) port on May 7, 2020. Sea route arrival dates are not exact and may vary depending on weather related events and queuing at port of arrival. The vessel is carrying 6,036 receptacles in 5 containers weighing 32,768 kilograms. It is serving mail destined to:
| • Austria | • Denmark | • Hungary | • Poland | • Sweden |
| • Czech Republic | • Finland | • Netherlands | • Spain | • Switzerland |
On April 22, 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 announced service disruptions:
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 April 21, 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 country has suspended certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
The following country has announced service disruptions:
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 April 20, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
The following countries have announced service disruptions:
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.
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
Expected Delivery Changes for Priority Mail and First-Class Package Services
U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail products and First-Class packages may require more time to be delivered due to limited transportation availability as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) impacts to the United States.
Effective April 17, 2020:
The Postal Service’s flagship Priority Mail Express service, which guarantees overnight service, will not change.
Service commitments for local 1-day Priority Mail will not change.
Priority Mail’s two and three day service commitments now will be extended to three and four days respectively. Customers will continue to receive end-to-end visibility and improved product tracking, as well as up to $50 in free insurance.
With the extra day extension, customers should expect delivery using Priority Mail Open and Distribute (PMOD) to range from two to four days nationwide.
First-Class Package Service (FCPS) two and three day service commitments will also be extended to three and four days respectively.
Global Express Guaranteed Services also have been altered. For a full list of international and domestic updates, refer to usps.com.
The Postal Service’s goal continues to be to move packages as expeditiously as possible. The Postal Service continually reviews its network capacity to provide the American public reliable, efficient, and fast-delivery service. We will continue to keep you abreast of improvements in transportation availability and when we will be able to return to normal service levels.
Customers are entitled to a full refund of postage costs for shipments addressed to countries to which USPS services are temporarily suspended. The applicable postage refund process is based on the type of postage payment utilized for the shipment (i.e. Retail, PC Postage and other online label platforms, eVS and Business Mail Entry Units (BMEU)). Details on obtaining postage refunds are available at the Postal Pro website: https://postalpro.usps.com/international-refunds.
Following is the list of temporarily suspended countries, effective 4-17-20:
On April 17, 2020, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Instituto Postal Dominicano (INPOSDOM), the designated postal operator of Dominican Republic, indicating that they are declaring a situation of force majeure for letter-post and parcel-post items, until further notice. Delays in processing and delivery should be expected.
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 April 16, 2020, the Postal Service™ received a notification from Correo Argentino, the designated postal operator of Argentina, indicating that they are extending the previously announced suspensions for signature service and service standards until April 27, 2020.
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 April 15, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
The following countries have announced service disruptions:
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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
The following countries have suspended certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
The following country has announced the resumption of mail services:
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.
The following country has suspended certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
The following country has announced service disruptions:
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.
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend International Mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective April 14, 2020, the Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance of Global Express Guarantee (GXG®) to the following destinations where air and sea transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area.
Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to the following countries, until further notice:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
USPS is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.
On April 9, 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 announced changes to previously announced service disruptions:
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 April 8, 2020, the Department of State notified the Postal Service™ that effective April 9, 2020 through May 8, 2020 diplomatic mail will be temporarily suspended to the following ZIP codes:
| City | State | ZIP Code |
| DPO | AE | 09175-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09178-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09283-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09289-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09488-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09489-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09614-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09701-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09734-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09802-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09808-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09813-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09817-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09820-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09178-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09283-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09289-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09488-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09489-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09614-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09701-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09734-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09802-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09808-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09813-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09817-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09820-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09826-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09828-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09831-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09836-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09842-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09846-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09854-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09857-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09860-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09864-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09867-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09869-9997 |
| DPO | AE | 09895-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34004-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34011-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34020-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34022-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34024-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34030-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34031-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34032-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34033-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34034-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34035-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34036-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34039-9997 |
| DPO | AA | 34068-9997 |
| DPO | AP | 96210-9997 |
| DPO | AP | 96532-9997 |
Additionally, the Postal Service received notifications from various postal operators regarding changes in international mail services due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The following country has suspended certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
The following countries have announced service disruptions:
| Bac Ninh
(220000-229999) |
Binh Duong
(820000-829999) |
Can Tho (900000-909999) |
| Dac Lac
(630000-639999) |
Dong Nai
(810000-819999) |
Khanh Hoa
(650000-659999) |
| Lang Son
(240000-249999) |
Long An
(850000-859999) |
Tra Vinh
(940000-949999) |
| Ha Noi
(100000-159999) |
Hai Phong
(180000-189999) |
Quang Ninh
(200000-209999) |
| Soc Trang
(950000-959999) |
Hung Yen
(160000-169999) |
Quang Binh
(510000-519999) |
| Quang Nam
(560000-569999) |
Da Nang
(550000-559999) |
Hau Giang
(910000-919999) |
| Binh Dinh
(590000-599999) |
Bac Giang
(230000-239999) |
Hue
(530000-539999) |
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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
On April 7, 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 country has suspended certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
The following countries have announced service disruptions:
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 April 6, 2020, the Postal Service received notification from the designated operator of Rwanda regarding changes in international mail services due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The National Postal Corporation (Iposita) has advised that the Rwandan Government has enforced measures aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19. These measures affect the country’s postal services and will remain in force through April 19, 2020. While these restrictions are in force, Iposita will not be able to meet its normal obligations in regards to quality standards (e.g. delivery times). All passenger flights to and from Rwanda are suspended and the entire postal network has been shutdown since March 23, 2020. Additionally, the processing of physical and electronic inquiries is not possible during this time.
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.
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
Additional Country Suspension – April 7, 2020
The Postal Service™ will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective April 7, 2020, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail acceptance to destinations where air and sea transportation is unavailable due to widespread cancellations and restrictions into the area. Customers are asked to refrain from mailing items addressed to any of the following countries, until further notice:
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.
For already deposited items, other than GXG, Postal Service employees will endorse the items as “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return.
For any returned item bearing a customs form, the Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service.
For all other returned items not bearing a customs declarations form, the Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service, or the sender may re-mail them with the existing postage once service has been restored. When remailing under this option, customers must cross out the markings “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender.”
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
USPS is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal. Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information [insert link https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/
On April 3, 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 country has suspended certain mail services:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
Until further notice, as a convenience for our customers, the Postal Service will continue to accept and process mail destined for the Maldives. This mail will be held within our network and will be delivered once mail service is restored.
The following countries have announced service disruptions:
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.
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
Proposed Notification of Temporary Suspension of Acceptance for Certain Countries
UPDATE (two countries added)
TEMPORARY SERVICE SUSPENSION
The Postal Service™ received notice that various postal operators are no longer able to process or deliver international mail or services originating from the United States (U.S.) due to service disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, the Postal Service is currently unable to accept items destined for affected countries at any Post Office® or postal facility location, effective April 3 until further notice.
Customers are asked to refrain from entering items addressed to any of the below countries into the USPS system effective immediately:
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.
For already deposited items, other than GXG, Postal Service employees must endorse them “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return.
For any returned item bearing a customs form, the Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service.
For all other returned items not bearing a customs declarations form, the Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service, or the sender may remail them with the existing postage once service has been restored. When remailing under this option, customers must cross out the markings “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender.”
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
Media Statement COVID-19
April 2, 2020
The United States Postal Service is proud of the work our more than 600,000 employees play in processing, transporting, and delivering mail and packages for the American public. We provide a vital public service that is a part of this nation’s critical infrastructure. The Postal Service has a dedicated Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Command Response leadership team that is focusing on employee and customer safety in conjunction with operational and business continuity during this unprecedented epidemic. We continue to follow the strategies and measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health departments. The CDC has information available on its website at https://www.coronavirus.gov that provides the latest information about COVID-19.
To reduce health risks for our employees and customers and to safeguard our operational and business continuity, the Postal Service is doing the following:
The Postal Service delivers much needed medications and Social Security checks, and we are the leading delivery service for online purchases. The Postal Service is an essential service for purposes of compliance with state or municipality shelter-in-place orders or other social distancing restrictions. The statute that created the Postal Service begins with the following sentence: “The United States Postal Service shall be operated as a basic and fundamental service provided to the people by the Government of the United States, authorized by the Constitution, created by an Act of Congress, and supported by the people.” 39 U.S.C. §101(a).
Importantly, the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html), the World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses), as well as the Surgeon General have indicated that there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 is being spread through the mail.
Specifically, according to the World Health Organization, “the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and been exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.” And according to the CDC, “in general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets.” Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods and there have not been any cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods.”
On April 2, 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 announced service disruptions:
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.
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
Proposed Notification of Temporary Suspension of Acceptance for Certain Countries
TEMPORARY SERVICE SUSPENSION
The Postal Service™ received notice that various postal operators are no longer able to process or deliver international mail or services originating from the United States (U.S.) due to service disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, the Postal Service is currently unable to accept items destined for affected countries at any Post Office® or postal facility location, effective April 3 until further notice.
Customers are asked to refrain from entering items addressed to any of the below countries into the USPS system effective immediately:
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.
For already deposited items, other than GXG, Postal Service employees must endorse them “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return.
For any returned item bearing a customs form, the Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service.
For all other returned items not bearing a customs declarations form, the Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service, or the sender may remail them with the existing postage once service has been restored. When remailing under this option, customers must cross out the markings “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender.”
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/
On April 1, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
The following countries have announced service disruptions:
The above list is subject to change on a daily basis. A situation of force majeure is declared and the acceptance of letter-post and parcel-post items destined to all other countries (including the United States) is suspended with immediate effect, until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.
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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
Policy for Customers Requiring Visitor
Medical Screenings for Letter Carriers
As a result of the ongoing concern regarding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the U.S. Postal Service understands that many customers have taken additional precautions to protect their employees and their residents. The Postal Service, too, has implemented a number of measures to protect the health and welfare of its employees and customers, consistent with guidance for businesses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While we understand customers’ desire to screen individuals entering their facilities, we cannot require our letter carriers to comply with such requests. Our carriers have privacy protections under Federal laws – such as the Privacy Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) – that may be violated if we require a carrier to be subjected to precautionary screenings by customers.
Although we cannot direct a carrier to submit to precautionary screenings, the Postal Service wants to do its best to ensure our business customers and their residents receive their mail. Instead of requiring screening among the alternatives you can consider are:
Please contact your local Post Office to discuss these alternative options. Local management will work with you to ensure that the Postal Service can maintain continuity of delivery operations for your facility.
The United States Postal Service values all of its customers. This policy has been designed to protect the safety and well-being of our employees and customers, which are our highest priorities.
On March 31, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
Furthermore, 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:
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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
On March 27, 2020, the Department of Defense notified the Postal Service™ that effective March 30, 2020, the temporary service suspension to the APO/FPO ZIP codes listed below will be LIFTED immediately:
| City | State | ZIP Code |
| FPO | AE | 09204 |
| FPO | AE | 09216 |
| APO | AE | 09706 |
Additionally, on March 30, 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:
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
Furthermore, 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:
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.
The DMM Advisory will continue to update mailers regarding new service disruptions as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
Business Closed—Hold Mail
USPS is committed to identifying solutions to assist those businesses impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
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.
Industry and commercial customers can email questions or concerns about COVID-19 and the mail to industryfeedback@usps.gov with COVID-19 in the subject line. Mailers can also sign up for Industry Alerts at industryalert@usps.gov.
For more information, see the USPS Coronavirus Statement at about.usps.com/newsroom.
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:
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:
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 26, 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:
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.
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 25, 2020, the Department of Defense notified the Postal Service™ that effective March 25, 2020 through April 15, 2020 military mail will be temporarily suspend to the following ZIP codes, due to the loss of transportation to/from Norway:
| City | State | ZIP Code |
| FPO | AE | 09204 |
| FPO | AE | 09216 |
| APO | AE |
09706 |
Additionally, 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:
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:
The delivery of EMS items will be maintained, but may be subject to delays.
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 23, 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:
The following countries have announced service disruptions:
The above steps, along with the suspension and reduction of international flights and connections, will impact inbound and outbound postal operations and delivery. Customers should expect delivery delays.
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 19, 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:
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:
Furthermore, in common with many other postal operators, given the diminishing number of flights and reduced capacity, bpost is temporarily unable to send outbound international mail and parcels (letter post, parcel post and EMS) to destinations outside Europe
| Ha Noi (100000–159999) | Hai Phong (180000–189999) | Quang Ninh (200000–209999) |
| Soc Trang (950000–959999) | Hung Yen (160000–169999) | Quang Binh (510000–519999) |
| Quang Nam (560000–569999) | Da Nang (550000–559999) | Hau Giang (910000–919999) |
| Binh Dinh (590000–599999) | Bac Giang (230000–239999) | Hue (530000–539999) |
| Thai Nguyen (250000–259999) | Ninh Thuan (660000–669999) | Kien Giang (920000–929999) |
| Quang Tri (520000–529999) | Ha Tinh (480000–489999) | Nghe An (460000–479999) |
| Ninh Binh (430000–439999) | Ho Chi Minh (700000–769999) | Thanh Hoa (440000–459999) |
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.
COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE
Customer Signature Service
COVID-19 Response and Prevention
A number of cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have recently been confirmed across the country.
The safety and well-being of our employees & customers is our highest priority. To help ensure the health of our employees & customers, we are continuing to follow recommended guidance and strategies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments, and are implementing additional measures to help maintain social distancing.
One significant measure being implemented is a temporary modification to mail handling procedures for mail that requires customer signatures. We recognize the close proximity and additional handling that occurs when employees must ask customers for a signature and government issued identification when required. To reduce health risks, we are temporarily modifying customer signature capture procedures. Effective immediately and until further notice, our employees will follow the temporary process below for signature service items. This process applies to all letter carriers:
Following are the updates received today from the UPU concerning service impacts due to COVID-19:
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.
Inbound mail items (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS)
Signature on delivery will be suspended with immediate effect for all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items. However, tracked confirmation of deliveries will be provided via the usual tracking event scans for products that allow tracking. All letter-box-sized items (including registered, tracked, parcel and EMS items) will be deposited in letter boxes. For items larger than letter-box size, delivery will be made to parcel locker stations (POP stations), post offices or collection points (in descending order of priority) for collection by the addressee. The provision of the addressee’s mobile number on all items, if possible, will expedite the above process. For items for which no mobile number has been provided, delayed delivery is to be expected. It will not be mandatory for Singapore Post to provide written proof of delivery, and delivery will be deemed to have occurred when collection is confirmed at the designated collection points. These special measures have been implemented in order to reduce the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and to keep staff and customers safe by avoiding human contact. However, these measures will have an impact on quality of service for all types of inbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items). This impact is expected to last until the end of the pandemic. Accordingly, inbound service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed until the situation returns to normal.
All outbound mail items (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS)
Owing to the suspension and cancellation of many flights to and from Singapore, as a result of the rapid spread of COVID-19, severe delays for all outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) conveyed via air transport are to be expected until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.
In response to directives issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada and pursuant to its commitment to preserve the health and safety of its employees and of Canadians, Canada Post is making changes to its delivery procedures in order to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Until further notice, it will no longer request a signature for any deliveries. Instead, its delivery agents will apply “safe drop” procedures whenever it is possible to do so. If such procedures are not possible, the delivery agent will leave a delivery notice card indicating the retail location from which the item can be collected. A delivery notice card will be left for the addressee for all registered items and items requiring the payment of duties and taxes.
The United States Postal Service is closely monitoring the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation and continues to follow strategies and measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health departments. The CDC has information available on its website at https://www.coronavirus.gov that provides the latest information about COVID-19. We are sharing the CDC’s guidance to our employees via stand-up talks, employee news articles, messages on bulletin boards, videos and an intranet site directly to employees and within USPS workplaces.
The CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html), the World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses), and the Surgeon General have indicated that there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 is being spread through the mail.
The Postal Service has so far experienced only minor operational impacts in the United States as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We do continue to have a temporary suspension of the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined for China and Hong Kong, which has been effective since Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, due to widespread airline cancellations and restrictions into this area. In addition, customers may see delays in mail and packages destined to China as well as from China, as well as to and from European countries subject to restricted passenger airline travel. The Postal Service is undertaking all reasonable measures to minimize the impact to our customers.
In addition, the Postal Service is an essential service for purposes of its compliance with state or municipality shelter-in-place orders or other social distancing restrictions. The Postal Service delivers medications, social security checks, and is the leading delivery service for on-line purchases. The statute that created the Postal Service begins with the following sentence. “The United States Postal Service shall be operated as a basic and fundamental service provided to the people by the Government of the United States, authorized by the Constitution, created by an Act of Congress, and supported by the people.” 39 U.S.C. §101(a).
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).
The following countries have suspended some or all mail services:
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:
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.
Please see the most recent USPS Industry Alert, DMM Advisory and additional information received from the UPU concerning service impacts due to COVID-19:
In view of this situation, Philippine Postal Corporation will operate as follows during the community quarantine, from 13 March to 12 April 2020:
On March 17, 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 some or all mail services:
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:
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.
For the latest news regarding international service disruptions, visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) and DMM Advisories are available on Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com)
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).
In order to ensure operational continuity and to keep connecting the world with a high-quality service, DHL will temporarily and until further notice levy an Emergency Situation Surcharge to all Time Definite International (TDI) shipments.
This surcharge is NOT applicable to Day Definite International (DDI – road) or Time Definite Domestic (TDD) shipments. It also does not apply to DHL’s Life Science and Healthcare customers and DHL Medical Express (WMX) shipments.
DHL kindly asks you to ensure your invoice approval cycles and process have been updated to avoid any delays.
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.
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.
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:
Temporary Surcharges for FedEx Express International Services
As you may have heard, on April 6, 2020, FedEx implemented a temporary surcharge on all FedEx Express® and TNT international parcel and freight shipments due to the COVID19 restrictions that are disrupting the global supply chain.
FedEx continues to deliver much-needed goods and services around the world during the global pandemic.
For more information on the FedEx response to COVID-19, click here.
See surcharge details here.
What you should do if these temporary surcharges apply to you: Please ensure that your management, development, and support staff are aware of this information concerning the Temporary Surcharge changes for FedEx Express International Services.
For FedEx Ship Manager® Server: Customers must be on FedEx Ship Manager Server versions 15.09, 16.07, 17.04, or 18.01 to receive accurate rate quotes for the Temporary Surcharge.
For FedEx Web Services: The surcharges will automatically be reflected as part of the total rate quote provided.
Support information: If you have any questions, contact the Technical Support Center at 1.877.FDX Assist 1.877.339.2774, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST.
Where to find the updates? Be sure to click here to:
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.
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