Skip top navigation
USPS.com home. The profile of an eagle's head adjoining the words United States Postal Service are the two elements that are combined to form the corporate signature. Postal Explorer

Pricing & Classification DMM Advisory

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

April 13, 2020

UPDATE 21: International Mail Service Disruptions Due to COVID-19

On April 13, 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:

Maldives UPDATE: Maldives Post has advised that the Government of the Maldives has decided to extend and update measures taken to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), until further notice. Therefore, Maldives Post is suspending the processing of outbound mail destined to foreign countries, including the United States. It is unable to guarantee delivery standards for all inbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items), and signature on delivery is also suspended. The disruption is expected to continue until the epidemic is over. Consequently, service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed, and the previously declared situation of force majeure remains in effect.

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:

Iran: Iran National Post has advised that the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has declared a reduction of public services from March 24, 2020 to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed. Owing to insufficient transport capacity following cancellation and reduction of many international flights, Iran Post has limited sending outbound mails (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) to a growing number of destinations. As a result it is declaring a situation of force majeure, with immediate effect and ceasing to accept mails to those destinations 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