November 10, 2020

UPDATE 103: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19

On November 10, 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 provided updates to certain mail services:

Denmark UPDATE: Post Danmark has advised that, owing to new measures implemented by the Danish Government in seven municipalities to minimize the spread of COVID-19, delays to delivery services are expected in the affected areas from November 9 until December 3, 2020. Quality standards for all products will be affected by this situation of force majeure.

Israel UPDATE: Israel Postal Company has advised that the lockdown declared by the Israeli health authorities is gradually being lifted, and the restrictions have been eased. However, items normally requiring the addressee’s signature upon delivery are being handed over without signature. The inclusion of a mobile phone number on items will speed up the process, enabling an SMS to be sent to the addressee instead of a written notice. Inbound and outbound mail is being processed from and to all destinations, depending on availability of flights in both directions. As a result, force majeure remains in place.

Latvia UPDATE: Latvijas Pasts has advised that a state of emergency has been declared by the Government of Latvia effective November 9, 2020 and is expected to remain in force until December 6, 2020 or later. During the state of emergency, postal services will continue to function with restrictions and items normally requiring the addressee’s signature upon delivery will 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. As a result, a situation of force majeure is again invoked with respect to quality of service until the situation returns to normal.

Mexico UPDATE: Correos de México has advised that the Mexican customs authority will be operating with a reduced workforce until January 2021. As a result, delays are to be expected in the delivery of all types of mail.

Sri Lanka UPDATE: Department of Posts has advised that, owing to a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, new measures aiming to prevent further spread of the virus have been implemented in Sri Lanka. These new measures will continue to impact delivery standards for letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items. The Department of Posts is thus not able to guarantee that it will meet the agreed standards. However, all mail items sent to Sri Lanka will be processed and delivered, subject to certain restrictions imposed by the government. As a result, the previously announced force majeure remains until further notice.

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