January 20, 2021

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:

Israel UPDATE: Israel Postal Company has advised that the general lockdown has been extended until at least January 22, 2021. Postal services will continue to function with restrictions and items normally requiring the addressee’s signature upon delivery will continue to be handed over without signature. These measures will affect the processing and delivery of all types of services, including outbound and inbound letter post, parcel post and EMS, with an impact on quality of service. As a result, the previously announced restrictions regarding service standards and force majeure remain in place.

Latvia UPDATE: Latvijas Pasts has advised that the Latvian Government has extended the state of emergency until February 7, 2021, or later.During the state of emergency, postal services will continue to function with reduced working hours and limited staff to minimize contact between people. Therefore, all previous measures enforced continue to apply, including items that normally require the addressee’s signature upon delivery will be handed over without signature.Force majeure remains in effect until further notice.

Jamaica UPDATE: Jamaica Post has advised that the Government of Jamaica has extended the national curfew until February 28, 2021. Consequently, the force majeure previously announced continues to apply, with an impact on quality of service for all types of mail, including inbound and outbound letter-post, parcel-post and Express Mail Service (EMS) items.

Portugal UPDATE: CTT Correios de Portugal has advised that the Portuguese government has extended the general lockdown until at least January 30, 2021. During the lockdown, 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 CTT Correios de Portugal is unable to guarantee compliance with the agreed standards. Therefore, the situation of force majeure previously declared will continue to apply until further notice.

Samoa UPDATE: Samoa Post has advised that the state of emergency has been extended until February 17, 2021. All inbound mail is subject to a three-day quarantine upon arrival and delays in the delivery of mail are therefore to be expected.

South Africa UPDATE: South African Post Office Ltd. (SAPO) has advised that the level 3 lockdown has been extended until February 15, 2021. SAPO will continue to dispatch mail to countries if the relevant air carrier is operating. It will also continue to receive mail from countries that send mail to SAPO for delivery in South Africa. However, it will not be possible to meet delivery standards for all mail classes. As a result, force majeure remains in effect.

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