May 25, 2021

UPDATE 170: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19

On May 25, 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:

Fiji UPDATE: Post Fiji Ltd has advised that due to the coronavirus pandemic most international commercial flights to and from Fiji have been suspended as of April 20, 2021, until further notice. Post Fiji is therefore experiencing significant disruption in daily operations, including collection and deliveries for all international mail categories (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) and services.

Nepal UPDATE: Nepal Post has advised that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has extended the suspension of international flights until midnight May 31, 2021. A partial lockdown is already in place throughout the country, and domestic flights are suspended. Delays to the collection, transportation and delivery of mails are to be expected. In addition, Nepal Post remains unable to accept outbound mails to countries other than India, until such time as the passenger flights normally used to transport mail are resumed.

Slovakia UPDATE: Slovenská Pošta has advised that the state of emergency previously announced has now ended. However, the restrictions in terms of service standards and force majeure remain in place.

Slovenia UPDATE: Pošta Slovenije has advised that the government has extended the current lockdown for another 30 days. Pošta Slovenije continues 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.

Sri Lanka UPDATE: The Department of Posts has advised that due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, strict island-wide travel restrictions have been imposed by the government until June 7, 2021. Delivery of all inbound mail will be suspended during this period. The country’s international airports remain open to cargo flights, and all inbound mail will be transported to the Colombo office of exchange under special arrangements, but processing and delivery will be temporarily suspended, and outbound mail transport will also be impacted until June 7.

Thailand UPDATE: Thailand Post has advised that cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among operating staff handling inbound letter-post items at the Laksi mail processing centre. Quarantine and other public health measures have been implemented at the Laksi mail processing centre, resulting in a reduction in the workforce. Delays are therefore to be expected in the processing, customs clearance and delivery of all inbound letter-post services destined for Thailand. Thailand Post also advises that the backlog at the Suvarnabhumi office of exchange has been cleared and operations at the OE have returned to normal.

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