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Here is a list of known international shipping disruptions that currently affect USPS mail and parcel shipments globally.
The list was originally started in early 2020 when Covid-19 lockdowns and local restrictions impacted international transport and delivery resulting in months of mail backlogs.
The Postal Service even had to send mail by ocean freight to Europe and South America at one point, while it wouldn’t accept mail going to countries to which it had no transportation solution.
For the most part, USPS relies on commercial passenger flights to transport mail to international destinations from where the local postal operator takes over to handle the domestic transport to the final address.
Also, the Postal Service contracts with FedEx to handle some of its express services and it may occasionally use other air cargo operators as well.
Despite the fact that Covid lockdowns and restrictions are less disruptive to commercial air transport today, reliable air transport remains a challenge from time to time to some destinations.
Even without Covid, international mail delivery could be impacted due to local conflicts, international sanctions, natural disasters, or new regulations imposed by destination countries.
Generally, these issues are outside of the direct control of the US Postal Service.
Due to the fact that we use multiple sources (not just USPS service alerts), we believe our list is one of the most comprehensive compilations of international service disruptions and restrictions when sending items globally with USPS.
It is more comprehensive than the information USPS provides in its service alerts.
This information was last updated on 7/9/2022.
Service Suspensions
The US Postal Service does not accept shipments to the following countries because of either lack of transportation or suspension of mail service to and within that country:
- Afghanistan
- Bhutan
- Brunei
- Chad (more info)
- Cuba
- Laos
- Libya
- Mongolia
- New Zealand* (Most popular service types are no longer under suspension – more info)
- Papua New Guinea (more info)
- Russia (more info)
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands (more info)
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Timor-Leste
- Turkmenistan
- Yemen
Unless noted with an asterisk (*), these service suspensions affect the following USPS mail services:
- 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)
- Commercial ePacket (CeP)
- M-Bag items
* For New Zealand, USPS updated on January 14 and February 23 that the service suspension is limited to International Priority Airmail (IPA) Packets International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Packets, and Airmail M-bags.
USPS asks customers to refrain from entering items into the USPS mail system going to the countries listed above. Mail or packages will be returned to the shipper if they are dropped into a mailbox or included in daily pickups.
At US Post Office retail locations, USPS will not accept mail to these countries.
For any returned item bearing a customs form, the Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service.
For all other returned items not bearing a customs declarations form, the Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service, or the sender may remail them with the existing postage once service has been restored. When remailing under this option, customers must cross out the markings “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender.”
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country above do not affect the delivery of military and diplomatic (APO/FPO/DPO) mail as well as Global Express Guaranteed (GXP) Service shipments.
Ukraine Conflict
Ukraine is not on this list as USPS has not suspended accepting mail to the country. The Ukraine Postal operator is running limited operations in the country and has advised mail operators globally to send items to neighboring countries where it will pick up mail.
This is an automatic process and shippers do not need to add any special instructions to their mail or parcels.
Commercial air cargo availability is virtually non-existent to Russia and Belarus due to air space and operational restrictions imposed by governments and agencies as a result of the military operations in Ukraine.
Belarus is increasingly being lumped in with Russian sanctions as they support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It’s not entirely clear how most mail is reaching the country, considering it’s not on friendly terms with its neighbors. USPS has not issued a general service suspension notice for Belarus.
USPS has issued a suspension notice for Russia that became effective March 11, 2022. Please read this special bulletin about Ukraine, Russia and surrounding countries for more information on shipping challenges to these countries.
Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) Service Suspension and Disruptions (6/10/2022)
USPS has issued mail acceptance suspension notices for the following countries:
USPS Priority Mail Express International Money-Back Guarantee Suspension
The Post Office has temporarily suspended the money-back guarantee for USPS Priority Mail Express International shipments to all countries on October 25, 2021.
Tracking Notes
We want to explain international tracking with USPS a bit as it’s different from private carriers like UPS or FedEx.
If USPS tracking shows that an item has left the United States (the last scan is from an International Service Center or ISC), under normal circumstances, the US Postal Service has no further visibility on that item until a transit country or the destination country provides updated tracking information to USPS.
Sometimes, it’s possible to get more updated tracking by using the destination country’s postal service online tracking tools once the item has entered the country. (See This List from Wikipedia of National Postal Services to find the applicable website)
This is especially true if the shipment has delivery or routing errors, delays, or exceptions as the comments on the country’s postal system may provide more information on the status of the mail item than the update transmitted back to the US Postal Service.
Furthermore, tracking scans of individual mail pieces typically only occur at the local and regional pickup locations, when the parcel enters a country’s customs facility, and at the local or regional destination locations.
For tracking information in between these locations, mail pieces are typically tracked in groupings packed inside cargo containers.
Insurance Claim Update
The US Postal Service has advised it may take up to 60 days to process an insurance claim for lost or damaged international shipments.
Please see this link for more information on how filing international insurance claims with USPS has changed and how it may even affect third-party insurance services.
USPS Refund Policy
According to DMM 604.9.2.3, customers are entitled to a full refund of their postage costs when service to the country of destination is suspended.
The detailed procedures to obtain refunds for Retail Postage, eVS, PC Postage, and BMEU entered mail can be found in this PDF document.
New European Union VAT / Import Rules
On July 1, 2021, a new VAT rule went into effect when sending items to European Union (EU) member countries. The rule is causing problems for some postal operators as they are receiving shipments with incomplete or inaccurate customs forms/information or incorrect recipient contact information.
Shipments that arrive with incomplete data may be held by customs officials for a long time or are returned to the sender. Therefore, it is imperative shippers provide accurate information about the contents and a recipient’s phone number to avoid delays or a return to the sender of the shipment.
International returns can take significant time as they will not be necessarily transported at the same speed as the original mail service selected. Here are additional resources to help you navigate through this new VAT rule.
International Service Disruptions by Country
This list only includes countries for which there are known service disruptions domestically. If the country is not listed, the postal operator is not reporting significant service disruptions or restrictions that affect transportation or delivery.
The date shown after the country is the last known significant alert issued for that country.
Ascension Island & St Helena – 4/27/2022
Transporation Delays – Air transportation to Ascension Island & St Helena is greatly reduced due to essential runway and airport construction. Currently, it appears flights are about 3 to 4 weeks apart and the situation is likely to be ongoing until airport/runway rebuilding work is complete.
Mail to The Falkland Island is not affected.
Afghanistan – 8/9/2021
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Australia – 7/7/2022
Natural Disaster Delays – Australia Post advises that extreme weather conditions and flooding across New South Wales are impacting the delivery and collection of all mail products in postcode areas 2747, 2748, 2749, 2750, 2752, 2753, 2754, 2756, 2757, 2758, 2759, 2765 and 2775.
Belarus – 2/26/2022
Partial Suspension – Commercial flight and operational restrictions have been imposed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) due to the conflict in Ukraine, effectively forcing the suspension of available air transport to the country from European airports.
While USPS has not issued a general service suspension notice for Belarus, it’s unclear how mail is transported to the country considering the lack of available air transport. However, USPS GXG service is suspended as noted above.
Please see our special bulletin about Ukraine, Russia, and surrounding countries for more details.
Bhutan – 4/1/2020
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Brunei – 4/1/2020
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Bulgaria – 7/5/2022
EU VAT Customs Delays – Shipments arriving in Bulgaria are experiencing customs delays as a result of changes to the EU’s VAT rules for items from non-EU countries. See earlier note about new EU VAT rules and how they may impact shipments to EU countries.
Chad – 10/14/2021
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
China – 4/22/2022
Covid-19 Related Delays – China Post advises that to prevent further transmission of COVID-19 the processing of inbound mail is temporarily affected at Shanghai, Changchun and Yanji mail processing centers until further notice.
Inbound mail received by these offices of exchange cannot be processed or transported to sorting centers/delivery offices.
This delays processing, transiting and delivery of inbound mail, as well as updating of electronic messages and responses to online customer inquiries.
Cuba – 4/10/2020
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Honduras – 12/16/2021
Covid-19 Related Delays – Honduras continues to be subject to restrictions and to a curfew between 9 pm and 5 am until further notice. In order to minimize human contact and protect its workers, Honducor has reduced its workforce across the logistics chain (from labeling to delivery) to 50%.
This will have a significant impact on the quality of sorting and delivery of inbound items, and delays are to be expected in the processing of international accounts and inquiries as well as in the customs clearance of inbound and outbound items, hence will not meet quality standards with Force Majeure remaining in place.
As of July 9, 2022, this alert was still active. We are seeking additional information as it’s been over six months since this alert was issued.
Indonesia – 7/9/2022
Covid-19 Related Delays – Indonesian Post says the Covid-19 situation in Indonesia has improved. However, there are still limited flights outside of Java Island and as a result, the post is still not able to meet delivery standards until further notice.
Ireland – 5/17/2022
EU VAT Customs Delays – Shipments arriving in Ireland are experiencing customs delays as a result of changes to the EU’s VAT rules for items from non-EU countries.
Delivery duties must be paid before items are released for delivery. Recipients will receive instructions on how to pay and will have 16 working days to make the payment before the item is returned. The pay-by date is included in the customer notification.
All items are held in the Dublin Mail Centre Campus before being released, once payment is received. If payment is not received by the payment due date or the customer rejects the item then it is returned to the sender.
Israel – 4/7/2022
Covid-19 Related Delays – Israel Post confirms that health situation restrictions are still in place and will continue to affect the processing and delivery of all mail services until further notice.
Jamaica – 5/13/2022
Customs Delays – Jamaica Post is experiencing IT issues affecting connectivity and customs-related procedures, since April 25, 2022, which has impacted the processing of International Mail. Delays should be expected to items destined for Jamaica.
Kiribati – 12/15/2021
Transporation Delays – Expect slow delivery (2+ months) due to infrequent flights.
As of July 9, 2022, this alert was still active. We are seeking additional information as it’s been over six months since this alert was issued.
Laos – 4/1/2020
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Libya – 4/1/2020
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Macao – 7/7/2022
Covid-19 Related Delays – Macao Post updates that social distancing requirements remain in effect and notification will be issued to the recipient for the collection of items that require a signature at designated post offices until further notice.
Malaysia – 4/6/2022
Covid-19 Related Delays – Post Malaysia advises that Covid-19 prevention measures are still being enforced. Selected Malaysia Post office outlets are temporarily closed owing to Covid-19 control and preventative measures, while others are open as usual. The post is unable to guarantee compliance with the agreed delivery standards.
Malta – 4/5/2022
Covid-19 Related Delays – Malta Post advises that an increase in the COVID-19 infection rate is causing significant staff shortages at key processing and delivery locations. As a result of the staff shortages, it is unable to guarantee normal operations or compliance with standard delivery times.
Moldova – 3/12/2022
Conflict Related Delays – Due to the situation in neighboring Ukraine, the Moldovan airspace is closed for commercial aircraft. Shippers should expect delivery delays.
The post is working with its postal partners on alternative surface transportation routes. It is continuing to receive, process and deliver inbound and outbound postal items, and all post offices are fully operational.
Please see our special bulletin on Ukraine, Russia, and surrounding countries for more details.
Mongolia – 4/1/2020
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Nauru – 11/4/2021
Transportation Delays – Several Postal Operators are warning of a lack of transport availability to Nauru (a tiny island country in Micronesia) and have suspended service to the island nation.
USPS has not issued such an alert, but US shippers should be aware that significant transportation issues appear to exist and could delay mail and parcel shipments.
New Caledonia – 6/9/2022
Transportation Delays – New Caledonia Post advises they are currently experiencing airline capacity issues which as a result is increasing transportation times. Therefore, delays should be expected for items destined for New Caledonia.
New Zealand – 7/7/2022
Partial Suspension / Covid Related Delays – USPS had suspended several popular mail services to New Zealand last year, but the most popular ones, including Priority Mail International, are now available again.
However, NZ Post advises of continuing delivery delays as it maintains health and safety to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In most cases, delays may be between 2 to 3 business days.
Please see this country-specific post for more information about which mail services are impacted by the USPS suspension of service to New Zealand.
Panama – 4/28/2022
Covid-19 Related Delays – Panama Post advises that all of its processing facilities are operating under normal working hours but are subject to special measures established by the Ministry of Health of Panama. As result, it is unable to guarantee delivery standards until further notice.
Papua New Guinea – 10/8/2021
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Portugal – 4/29/2022
EU VAT Customs Delays – Shipments arriving in Portugal are experiencing customs delays as a result of changes to the EU’s VAT rules for items from non-EU countries. See earlier note about new EU VAT rules and how they impact shipments to EU countries.
Russia – 3/12/2022
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Please see our special bulletin about Ukraine, Russia, and surrounding countries for more details.
Samoa – 8/27/2021
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Singapore – 3/3/2022
Covid-19 Related Delays – Singapore Post advises its delivery standards are back to normal. However, restrictions previously introduced against COVID infection remain in place to limit the spread of COVID. Signatures are not collected at delivery.
Therefore, items that can fit into a mailbox will be deposited in the customer’s mailbox. Larger items will be delivered to parcel locker stations (POP stations), post offices or collection points for collection by the addressee.
Solomon Islands – 12/8/202
USPS Service Suspension (effective Dec 10) – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
South Africa – 5/31/2022
Operations Delays – South African Post advises that it’s relocating its Johannesburg office of exchange. This relocation will impact the processing of items and therefore delays should be expected for items destined for South Africa until further notice.
South Sudan – 4/1/2020
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Spain – 6/17/2021
EU VAT Customs Delays – Shipments arriving in Spain are experiencing customs delays as a result of changes to the EU’s VAT rules for items from non-EU countries. See earlier note about new EU VAT rules and how they impact all shipments to EU countries.
Sri Lanka – 7/4/2022
Covid-19 Related Delays – The Sri Lankan Post advises that while previous Covid-19 restrictions still remain in place, the Sri Lankan government has also imposed a temporary restricted work plan on all government institutions.
As a result, the Sri Lankan Post has reduced its working days to three days a week, with deliveries being made on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
This means that delivery standards can not be met for items destined for Sri Lanka until further notice.
Syria – 4/1/2020
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Timor-Leste – 4/2/2020
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Turkmenistan – 1/26/2021
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
Tuvalu – 12/15/2021
Transportation Delays – Expect slow delivery (2+ months) due to infrequent flights.
Ukraine – 6/15/2022
Conflict Related Delays – Ukraine Post advises that post offices across various regions will continue to be open on a limited basis so customers can receive mail and parcels. The post also advises countries to send their international postal items to Ukraine via Poland, Slovakia or Latvia. The post will be collecting the consignments from those countries.
The Ukrainian postal service also advises that road access for postal exchanges with Ukrposhta’s center in Kyiv are severely limited, and some international mail processing operations have been moved to Lviv.
Longer transit times are to be expected because of queues at the border and difficult road connections inside Ukraine. Ukrposhta remains committed to maintaining its postal operations, but will not be able to guarantee compliance with the agreed standards.
USPS has temporarily suspended international mail acceptance of Global Express Guarantee (GXG) service to Ukraine.
Also, Donets 83-87, Luhansk 91-94 Crimea 95-98 and Sevestapol 99 have been effectively under Russian control since 2014. These areas are unlikely to be served now, especially with the service suspension to Russia that is in effect.
Please see our special bulletin on Ukraine, Russia, and surrounding countries for more details on sending items to Ukraine.
Vietnam – 2/28/2022
Covid-19 Related Delays – Vietnam Post advises that its operations are currently disrupted by a large number of employees having contracted COVID-19.
Until further notice, the processing and delivery of all types of inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) will be impacted and the post is unable to guarantee compliance with the published standards.
Yemen – 4/1/2020
USPS Service Suspension – Please see “Service Suspensions” information at the top of this post.
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