December 29, 2020

UPDATE 121: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19

On December 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 provided updates to certain mail services:

Greece UPDATE: Hellenic Post (ELTA) has advised that the lockdown has been extended until the end of January 2021. As a result, there will be a direct impact on the collection and delivery of inbound and outbound mail.

South Africa UPDATE: South African Post Office Ltd. has advised that, due to a second wave of COVID-19, the lockdown has been adjusted to level 3 countrywide until January 15, 2021. SAPO will continue to dispatch mail to countries if the relevant air carrier is operating. It will also continue to receive mail from countries that send mail to SAPO for delivery in South Africa. However, it will not be possible to meet delivery standards for all mail classes. As a result, force majeure remains in effect until January 15, 2021.

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