India Halts Postal Deliveries to US Amid Tariff Confusion

India has announced a temporary suspension of postal deliveries to the United States, effective August 25, 2025. The decision, made by the Indian government, stems from confusion over new tariffs imposed by the administration of former President Donald Trump. This move comes just days before a significant change in customs regulations takes effect, altering the duty-free status of certain low-value parcels sent to the US.

The Indian Ministry of Communications stated that an executive order issued last month requires transport carriers, or other “qualified parties” approved by US authorities, to collect and remit tariff duties on incoming parcels. However, the ministry expressed concerns that “several critical processes relating to the designation of ‘qualified parties’ and mechanisms for duty collection and remittance remain undefined.” As a result, US-bound air carriers have indicated their inability to accept postal consignments after the deadline, citing a lack of operational and technical readiness.

In light of these developments, India’s Department of Posts will suspend all types of postal articles destined for the US, effective from Monday, excluding letters, documents, and gift items valued up to USD 100. The ministry confirmed that these exempt categories will continue to be accepted, pending further clarifications from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the US Postal Service (USPS). The ministry emphasized its commitment to normalizing services as soon as possible.

This suspension follows similar actions taken by postal services and mail carriers across Europe. For instance, France’s La Poste announced it would halt most package deliveries to the United States starting Monday. The company cited the implementation of new rules by the CBP on August 15, which left European postal services with a narrow window to prepare for the changes.

The Trump administration’s decision to eliminate the tax exemption on small packages entering the US, effective August 29, has raised concerns among international postal services. As countries navigate the complexities of these new tariffs, the impact on global shipping and logistics continues to unfold.

Industry experts are monitoring the situation closely, as the suspension of services could affect businesses and individuals relying on timely postal deliveries between India and the United States. The Indian government aims to address these challenges promptly and restore full postal services as soon as the necessary regulatory frameworks are established.