April 29, 2020

UPDATE 31: International Mail Service Disruptions Due to COVID-19

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:

British Virgin Islands: BVI Post has advised that the Government of the Virgin Islands has suspended all inbound and outbound letter-post, parcel-post and Express Mail Service (EMS) items until further notice. As a result of this suspension, BVI Post is declaring a situation of force majeure.

Honduras UPDATE: Empresa de Correos de Honduras (Honducor) has advised that they are extending the suspension of mail services until May 3, 2020, or a later date to be communicated in due course.

Kuwait UPDATE: Kuwait Postal Sector has extended the suspension of all inbound and outbound letter-post, parcel-post and Express Mail Service (EMS) items until June 1, 2020. Therefore, the previously declared force majeure is extended until June 1, 2020.

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:

Italy UPDATE: Poste Italiane has advised that the Italian Government has extended the measures aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19 until further notice. This includes the suspension of signature service and service standards; limitations on the size and weight of parcels; and changes to the number of delivery attempts that will be made before a package is returned to sender.

Poland UPDATE: Poczta Polska has advised that effective April 21, 2020 and until further notice, new procedures will be used for registered items and items that require a signature on delivery. Registered items that do not require proof of delivery will be placed in the recipient’s mailbox. If the mailer refuses to sign for the items that would normally require a signature, the mail carrier will record the last four digits from the ID document, as well as the type of ID and the exact name of the receiver. The force majeure that was previously announced is still effective and mailers should continue to expect 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.

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