Pricing & Classification DMM Advisory

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

May 15, 2020

International Service Impact: Alternate Transport – Third Air to Sea Diversion in Effect

On May 15, 2020, a third sea transport departed with volume from the Chicago, JFK, and Miami International Service Centers and is estimated to arrive at the Rotterdam (Netherlands) port on June 9, 2020. Sea route arrival dates are not exact and may vary depending on weather related events and queuing at port of arrival. The vessel is carrying 24,013 receptacles in twenty-two (22) containers weighing 143,807 kilograms. It is serving mail destined to:

  • Austria
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Hungary
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland (Geneva and Zurich)

When calculating estimated delivery times, additional days required for unloading, customs clearance and road transit should be considered. The table below outlines a typical sea transit delivery cycle that begins upon arrival to the destined port:

Rotterdam Port
Unloading

Rotterdam Port
Custom Clearance /Clear Customs

Rotterdam Port
Transit to Den Hague OE

Den Hague OE
Acceptance & Sorting

Den Hague OE
Road Transit to Delivery Address

1-2 Days

2 Days

1 Day

2-3 Days

1-4 Days

OE – Office of Exchange

This transportation alternative will be used for the following mail classes: 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.

Alternate transit options will remain in effect until sufficient air transportation capacity becomes available.

The Postal Service is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.

Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl