Pricing & Classification DMM Advisory

Message board to keep postal customers informed of changes to mailing standards, services, and prices.

April 20, 2021

UPDATE 160: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19

On April 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:

Colombia UPDATE: Servicios Postales Nacionales S.A. 4-72 has advised that effective Tuesday, April 20, 2021, it will no longer be able to offer open or closed transit services to any destination until further notice.

Slovenia UPDATE: Pošta Slovenije has advised that due to the ongoing pandemic, the government has extended the current lockdown for another 30 days. Pošta Slovenije will continue to provide postal services with a reduced workforce. 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 Pošta Slovenije is unable to guarantee compliance with the agreed standards. The acceptance of outbound mail items (letter post, parcel post and EMS) for some destinations is still subject to transport availability. Therefore, the situation of force majeure previously declared will continue to apply until further notice.

South Africa UPDATE: South African Post Office Ltd. (SAPO) has advised that due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation and the unavailability of flights, transit mail service has been suspended until further notice. Nevertheless, in the interim, the transit service will remain available for mail exchanged among the following five countries: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique and Namibia.

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