U.S. Postal Service Status on International Mail Shipments (6/19/2020)

With the coronavirus COVID-19 emergency continuing to spread around the globe, mail and small parcel operations are impacted worldwide.

Between a shortage of commercial passenger airlines to carry the mail and local authorities and transit/destination postal services shutting down or restricting services, sending international packages with the U.S. Postal Service is resulting in longer transit times on most shipments.

This post was last updated on 6/19/2020 with additions and changes marked in red.

Also, the bottom of the post (Additional Resources) has links relevant to USPS shipping during the coronavirus emergency.

Service Suspensions (6/11/2020)

The U.S. Postal Service does not accept shipments to the following countries because of either lack of transportation or suspension of mail service in that country:

1. Algeria
2. Angola
3. Argentina
4. Azerbaijan
5. Bahamas
6. Bahrain
7. Bangladesh
8. Benin
9. Bermuda
10. Bolivia
11. Botswana
12. British Virgin Islands
13. Brunei
14. Burkina Faso
15. Burundi
16. Cameroon
17. Cape Verde
18. Cayman Islands
19. Chad
20. Chile
21. Colombia
22. Cook Islands
23. Costa Rica
24. Cuba
25. Curacao
26. Democratic Republic of the Congo
27. Dominican Republic
28. Ecuador
29. Egypt
30. Ethiopia
31. Faroe Islands
32. Fiji
33. French Polynesia
34. Gambia
35. Ghana
36. Grenada
37. Guatemala
38. Guinea Bissau
39. Guyana
40. Haiti
41. Honduras
42. India
43. Iraq
44. Ivory Coast
45. Kazakhstan
46. Kenya
47. Kiribati
48. Kosovo
49. Kuwait
50. Kyrgyzstan
51. Laos
52. Lebanon
53. Lesotho
54. Liberia
55. Libya
56. Madagascar
57. Malawi
58. Maldives
59. Mauritania
60. Mauritius
61. Mongolia
62. Morocco
63. Mozambique
64. Myanmar
65. Namibia
66. Nepal
67. Nigeria
68. Oman
69. Pakistan
70. Panama
71. Papua New Guinea
72. Paraguay
73. Peru
74. Philippines
75. Qatar
76. Republic of Congo
77. Rwanda
78. Samoa
79. Saudi Arabia
80. Senegal
81. Seychelles
82. Sierra Leone
83. Sint Maarten
84. Solomon Islands
85. South Africa
86. South Sudan
87. Sri Lanka
88. Sudan
89. Suriname
90. Swaziland (Eswatini)
91. Tajikistan
92. Tanzania
93. Timor-Leste
94. Tonga
95. Tunisia
96. Turkmenistan
97. Turks & Caicos
98. Uganda
99. United Arab Emirates
100. Uruguay
101. Uzbekistan
102. Vanuatu
103. Venezuela
104. Yemen
105. Zambia
106. Zimbabwe

If a country is on the above list, it is not listed below again as postal operations in that country have been suspended or there is no viable air transport to that country from the United States. Countries that are removed from the suspension list will have the latest advisory added below.

NOTE: There are also disruptions to USPS Diplomatic Mail zip codes likely in many of these countries. Please see USPS domestic mail service disruptions information here for more details.

For each of the above countries, USPS issued the following notice:

Postal Service is currently unable to accept items to these countries at any Post Office or postal facility location until further notice.

Customers are asked to refrain from entering items going to these countries into the USPS system effective immediately.

These service disruptions 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.

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 do not affect the delivery of military and diplomatic mail.

USPS Shifting Mail From Air Cargo to Sea Transport (6/4/2020)

On June 3, USPS announced its fifth sea freight shipment of mail that it sent on May 23, which includes 6 containers to Brazil. This is the first non-European sea transport the postal service announced.

Please read more about the five sea transport shipments here and which countries are included and when they may arrive.

Due to limited air cargo capacity, the U.S. Postal Service is shifting select mail from air transport to sea transport in an effort to move mail from the U.S. to international destinations.

Typical Priority Mail shipments that usually take about 7 to 10 days will now take about 4 to 6 weeks if the service is available to the destination country.

Tracking Note

If a mail item shows on USPS tracking as having left the United States, under normal circumstances, the U.S. Postal Service has no further visibility on that item until a transit country or the destination country provides updated tracking information to its system.

Sometimes, it is possible to get more updated tracking by using the destination country’s postal service online tracking tools if the item has entered the country. (List from Wikipedia of National Postal Services)

This is especially true if the shipment has delivery or routing error, delays, or exceptions as the comments on the country’s postal system may provide more information on the status of the mail items than the update transmitted back to the USPS.

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.

There are probably thousands of cargo containers with mail spread all over the world sitting at airport facilities and transit stations waiting to be processed to their next destination.

It will likely take weeks (or months…?) for some mail pieces to move again once these operations resume and cargo capacity becomes available to continue the transit of the cargo containers.

Insurance Claim Update (6/11/2020)

The U.S. Postal Service is now advising it may take up to 60 days to process an insurance claim for lost or damaged international shipments.

We have an extensive article on this topic that we will update just like this post as additional information becomes available.

Please follow 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.

Global Express Guaranteed Service – 6/9/2020

The Postal Service is temporarily suspending international mail acceptance of Global Express Guarantee (GXG) to the following destinations:

Bhutan, Botswana, Cape Verde, Eritrea, French Polynesia, Gambia, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Norfolk Island, Republic of the Congo, Seychelles, Uganda, Wallis and Futuna.

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 through the following https://postalpro.usps.com/international-refunds

U.S. Diplomatic Mail – 5/21/2020

The USPS has temporarily suspended all mail service to the following diplomatic zip codes:

DPO AE 09178-9997
DPO AE 09826-9997
DPO AP 96210-9997

List of Common Export Countries for U.S. Merchants

Here is the latest update from the U.S. Postal Service regarding international shipments and in-country operations that are popular export countries for U.S. merchants. The list is divided into sections:

• North America & Caribbean
• Europe (incl. EuroAsia)
• South America
• Asia
• Australia/Oceania

Next to each country is the date of the last guidance the U.S. Postal Service has for that country. We will update this post as new information becomes available.

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North America & Caribbean

Canada – 3/25/2020

Canada Post advises that additional measures are being taken in response to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). In order to eliminate interaction with customers at their doorstep and in accordance with physical distancing requirements, Canada Post has implemented revised delivery procedures.

Inbound items from the U.S. requiring payment of customs duties and taxes will be sent from our depots to a retail post office for collection.

Customers will receive a delivery notice card telling them which post office is holding their item. All other items that would ordinarily require a signature will be left in a safe location without obtaining a signature from the recipient.

This change eliminates the need for signature at the doorstep and greatly reduces the number of parcels sent to Canada Post offices for collection.

Canada Post will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation and will actively follow the guidance and safety recommendations issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Mexico – 3/31/2020

Mexico’s post advises that it will only maintain services to Canada and the U.S. due to the cancellation of international flights from Mexico to South America and other continents such as Asia, Africa and Europe.

Impacts on service quality for inbound and outbound mail is expected.

The post is declaring a force majeure in relation to all international consignments such as letters, packages and express mail service as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affecting services worldwide.

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Europe & Eurasia

Armenia – 3/19/2020

Armenia’s post advises customers to expect serious delays in the processing of inbound and outbound mail until further notice due to the suspension of flights resulting from the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Impacts on operations will affect the quality of service for all types of inbound and outbound mail. Therefore a situation of force majeure is declared and for safety reasons, delivery may be conducted via methods that restrict direct contact.

For mail items requiring a signature on delivery, the addressee’s signature may be replaced by the postal employee’s signature, together with the delivery code, in the signature field.

Austria – 3/20/2020

Austria’s post advises that it is currently unable to send letters and parcels to a constantly increasing number of countries both inside and outside the European Union due to the suspension of outbound flights.

It will stop accepting mail for destinations where no transport capacities are available. Additionally, signature on delivery for inbound items will be suspended in order to avoid human contact.

All items that require the addressee’s signature are now deposited in their mailbox or in a secure location with signature by the postal employee on their portable device.

If delivered to the recipient in person, the employee will likewise sign on the recipient’s behalf. A situation of force majeure regarding the quality of service has been declared until the situation has returned to normal.

Belarus – 3/25/2020

Belarus’ post advises it is currently unable to send mail to a number of countries due to suspension of flights and various measures taken by other nations.

Additionally, it can no longer guarantee service delivery standards with designated operators and any interested parties.

Customers should expect major impacts on quality of service for all types of inbound and outbound mail. As far as possible, international and domestic operations will be continued on a regular basis.

Belgium – 5/20/2020

Belgium’s designated operator, bpost, advises that it is now able to send letter-post and parcel-post items, effective May 12, 2020 onwards, to the following additional destinations: Brazil, Canada, China (People’s Rep.), the Russian Federation and the United States of America.

The full list of destination countries is liable to change every day and is available at news.bpost.be/en-corona. Currently, bpost cannot accept letter-post or parcel-post items for destinations to which there is no transport capacity.

Owing to limited capacity, bpost is still not able to guarantee delivery standards. Under these circumstances, the force majeure situation previously announced continues.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Belgium’s post advises that it will continue to operate normally as far as possible. However, several measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of both customers and staff.

Post offices will remain open in general but will be closed on Saturdays. For domestic and inbound international items that would normally require a signature, the mail carrier will sign for a delivery in place of the customer (in the customer’s presence).

The post is no longer able to guarantee delivery times, standard rules for signature on delivery, or availability of tracking data for shipments.

Furthermore, given the diminishing number of flights and reduced capacity, the post is temporarily unable to send outbound international mail and parcels to destinations outside Europe.

Bulgaria – 3/20/2020

Bulgarian Posts advises that it is currently unable to send mail to many countries inside and outside the European Union, with the list changing on a daily basis due to a lack of transport capacity.

For this reason, Bulgarian Posts has stopped accepting any outbound express mail service items destined to international locations.

The company will continue to accept letters and parcels sent to destinations for which transport capacity is still available.

Customers should expect delays for all inbound and outbound mail until further notice. Bulgarian Posts can no longer guarantee service delivery standards and is invoking force majeure and analogous provisions to any such standards.

Czech Republic – 6/9/2020

Czech Republic’s post advises that acceptance of mail for some countries remains temporarily suspended due to the transport situation and continuing lockdown in destination countries.

Due to cancellation and postponement of flights, the processing of outbound items may be subject to significant delays.

In addition, because of social distancing rules, delays may occur in processing and delivery of all types inbound and domestic mail items.

Previously communicated restrictions regarding service standards and application of force majeure remain in place.

Croatia – 3/19/2020

Croatian Post advises it has implemented a special process for postal items subject to signature upon delivery in order to limit spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and in the interest of the health and safety of its staff.

Items will be placed in the addressee’s mailbox or at the front door. In the signature field, the postal carrier will enter a code to indicate that the item has been delivered without the recipient’s signature.

This measure aims to avoid contact between recipients and postal staff. Croatian Post is treating this situation as a case of force majeure.

Cyprus – 3/20/2020

Cyprus Post advises that effective March 21, all commercial flights to the country are suspended for 14 days.

Cyprus Post is therefore suspending all outgoing dispatches to international destinations. Until further notice, all mail items destined to Cyprus will be sent by alternative transportation (e.g. surface). Customers should expect delivery delays.

Denmark – 3/31/2020

Denmark’s post advises that it is able to send mail only to countries within the European Union, with the exception of Cyprus and Malta.

It also can send mail to Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Norway, Qatar, Russian Federation, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam. This list is subject to change.

The post is currently unable to send mail to countries not listed and/or on the website due to a lack of transport capacity.

It is therefore declaring a situation of force majeure and has stopped accepting mail destined for all concerned countries until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.

Furthermore, as a measure to limit transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19), signature on delivery for inbound items has been suspended. Delivery will be conducted via methods that limit human contact.

Estonia 5/20/2020

Estonian Post advises that since May 5, 2020, all inbound items are being delivered as follows:

• Delivery standards are not yet fully adaptable, but are as normal as possible;
• All courier shipments requiring a signature are delivered to the addressee (there is a photo of the address card signed by the addressee);
• Registered letters containing documents are delivered without a required signature to the recipient’s postal box;
• All registered small packets are available via pick up points.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

It can no longer guarantee service delivery standards and is declaring a situation of force majeure. Also, the post has suspended signature on delivery for inbound items requiring proof of delivery in order to avoid direct contact.

Registered items will be delivered to mailboxes where possible. In case of delivery to the person, the courier will enter the receiver’s name on a handheld device but with the word “Courier” in place of signature.

Parcels will still be delivered to the addressee but in place of the signature, there will be an image of an address card, which the recipient will first be asked to sign.

Finland – 3/23/2020

Finland’s post advises that it will only be able to transport outbound mail destined for the following countries, with delays to be expected due to limited capacity:

• All EU countries, with the exception of Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Slovakia, and Spain.
• Australia, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Norway, Russian Federation, Serbia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Finland’s post is declaring a situation of force majeure and suspending acceptance of mail items destined for all other countries until sufficient transport capacity becomes available. Transit mail cannot be accepted to any destination country unless subject to a bilateral agreement.

France – 6/9/2020

La Poste advises that government restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 remain in effect until July 10.

The post is making every effort to ensure delivery of letters and resume delivery of priority items, parcels, daily newspapers and registered letters, as well as collections from post boxes.

Due to staffing impacts, there may be processing and delivery delays throughout the country.

La Poste asks that the sending of heavy and bulky parcels continue to be limited as far as possible until the situation returns to normal.

This applies to parcels exceeding 20 kg in weight and whose longest dimension exceeds 1 m and/or whose three dimensions combined exceed 1.5 m (i.e. L+W+H  must be less than 1.50 m).

Accordingly, restrictions previously set out regarding service standards continue to apply and the situation of force majeure remains in force.

Germany – 3/27/2020

Deutsche Post advises it is currently unable to transport mail to a growing number of countries due to a lack of transport capacity following the cancellation of numerous international flights as part of measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Therefore, acceptance of postal items destined for affected countries is suspended.

The post says the list of affected destination countries is likely to change every day with information available at https://www.deutschepost.de/en/c/coronavirus.html. Suspensions will apply until sufficient transport capacities become available.

In addition to measures announced previously, Deutsche Post is taking steps to reduce direct interaction with customers at their doorstep.

Inbound items requiring payment by the recipient, such as cash-on-delivery or payment of customs duties and taxes, will be directed to a postal outlet for collection.

Georgia – 4/22/2020

Georgian Post advises that the government has extended measures aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 until May 22.

The declaration of force majeure and suspension of signature services remain in effect and unchanged. These measures will continue to have an impact on quality and delivery processes, and delays are to be expected for both inbound and outbound mail.

Customers should expect delays.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

This includes suspension of signature services and service standards. Mail that ordinarily would require a signature on delivery will be delivered to customers indirectly. It will not be mandatory for Georgian Post to collect and provide written proof of delivery.

There also are serious delays in outbound mail traffic to all destinations due to the suspension of flights. A situation of force majeure remains until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.

Customers should expect delays in inbound and outbound mail.

Greece – 4/2/2020

Hellenic Post advises that it is currently unable to transport mail to many countries due to measures to limit transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Hellenic Post will only be able to send mail (letters and parcels) destined to Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Νorth Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland. This list is subject to change on a daily basis.

Furthermore, customers should expect delays because of limited capacity and major difficulties in mail collection and delivery.

Therefore, a situation of force majeure is declared and acceptance of letters and parcels destined to all other countries is suspended until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.

Grenada – 5/13/2020

Grenada’s post advises a curfew is gradually being lifted. Until further notice, the post will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

While the airport remains closed to passengers, it is still able to receive letter and parcel dispatches via cargo flights. Customers should expect delays.

Iceland – 4/3/2020

Iceland Post advises that it is currently unable to send postal items to any countries outside the European Union, with the exception of Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Norway, Russian Federation, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States, due to lack of transport capacity.

Iceland Post is therefore declaring a situation of force majeure and has stopped accepting postal items destined for countries not listed above until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.

Expect delays for postal items destined for listed countries. Additionally, signature on delivery for inbound items is suspended.

Delivery will be conducted via methods that limit direct contact.

These special measures have been implemented in order to reduce the risk of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and to keep staff and customers safe by avoiding direct contact.

Ireland – 4/16/2020

An Post is currently limited in its ability to send outbound mail to some countries and has stopped accepting mail for those countries until they indicate they are able to accept it and sufficient transport capacity becomes available.

Details of these destinations can be found at https://www.anpost.com/Coronavirus/Mails-Parcels-services.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

An Post advises that it has suspended signature on delivery for inbound items to reduce the risk of spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and keep staff and customers safe. Delivery will be conducted via methods that limit direct contact.

The post is no longer able to meet all of its contractual obligations, in particular quality delivery standards, to a number of international destinations due to the suspension of airline flights.

Therefore, all contractually agreed sanctions, especially those concerning penalty payments, are suspended until these flights return to their normal operating schedule.

Italy – 4/14/2020

Italy’s post advises that the Italian government has further extended the period of application of the measures aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19 until May 3, 2020.

Moreover, owing to a lack of transport capacity following the cancellation of numerous international flights, it is currently unable to transport mail and parcels to a growing number of countries, and is no longer accepting postal items destined for those countries until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.

The list of destination countries concerned is liable to change every day, and is available here: www.poste.it/files/1476515729674/spedizioni-internazionali-elenco-localita-non-servite-covid.pdf.

Previous Advisory on Italy (Still Valid)

Italy’s post advises that the Italian Government has extended the period of application of the measures aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19 until April 13, 2020. Customers should expect disruptions.

Italy’s post advises that it is taking additional measures regarding the acceptance and delivery of parcels.

If the addressee cannot be contacted, or in the case of parcels addressed to businesses, cultural institutions, commercial activities and other entities that are temporarily closed, items can be returned to the sender after the first delivery attempt.

The list of affected municipalities is updated regularly and is available at www.poste.it/emergenza-covid19.html.

Furthermore, in order to minimize the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect employees’ health by enabling processing by a single person, only parcels below 25 kg in weight, 120 cm in length and 150 cm for the three dimensions combined can be accepted. Parcels exceeding these weight and size limits will not be accepted until further notice. However, these restrictions do not apply to donations.

Finally, due to lack of transport capacity, declaration of force majeure and suspension of postal services in a number of countries, the post is constantly updating its list of admitted outbound destinations. This list is available on the webpage above.

Previous Advisory on Italy (Still Valid)

Effective March 10, Italy’s Post advises customers that the entire Italian territory is subject to a number of extraordinary measures so as to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and protect Poste Italiane staff and customers

Due to a reduction of logistics and supply chain workforce that will affect postal sorting and delivery, customers should expect major impacts on operations and inbound/outbound service (letter post, parcels and EMS) until April 3 or further notice.

A situation of force majeure has been declared and service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed until the situation returns to normal. Consequently, restrictions are in place for the following items:

• Parcels and registered and insured items subject to signature upon delivery that would ordinarily require the addressee’s signature can, with the addressee’s consent, be deposited in the addressee’s mailbox or in a secure location on their premises, with signature by the postman/woman on their portable devices.
• If the addressee is absent or wishes to collect the item from a post office, a special notice of delivery will be left in their mailbox, with instructions for access to the post office.
• Post offices will be subject to restrictions and special conditions, including the exceptional closure, for a few days, of the premises subject to sanitation measures, which results in delivery delays
• Cash-on-delivery items will be available at post offices and the addressee will be informed by means of a special note left in their mailbox.
• Effective Monday, March 16, Poste Italiane will be unable to accept “PostaTarget” commercial mail from direct entry channels.

A special sanitation plan, covering the entire post office network, postal premises, and fleet of vehicles, has been in place for several weeks and will continue until the end of this epidemic.

Personal safety equipment is also being provided throughout our retail and logistic networks to protect staff and manage customers’ presence in post offices under safe conditions.

Airports remain open, however, due to regional flight cancellations, Italy’s post will divert outbound mail onto certain flights from Rome Fiumicino, requesting the airlines to provide road transport solutions from Milan to Rome.

Similar solutions are being offered to other partners for outbound traffic to Italy. Surface traffic is not restricted. Italy’s Post is fully committed to keeping its international mail processing centers, domestic sorting centers and delivery network open and operational, with a number of special provisions being implemented in the wider national interest.

No other changes to service modalities are currently in place. The provisions set out above will remain in effect until further notice.

Italy’s Post is monitoring the situation and will take prompt corrective action in response to any developments and will also provide timely updates in the dedicated section of its website, available at https://www.poste.it/emergenza-covid19.html.

Hungary – 3/24/2020

Hungary has put special measures in place effective March 24 to limit the spread of Coronavirus. Magyar Posta needs to comply with these measures and may have reduced staff numbers so not able to deliver all mail to specifications. Signature on delivery is suspended and delays to mail services can be expected.

(SOURCE: Royal Mail, added 5/23)

Latvia – 5/13/2020

Latvia’s post advises the government has extended a state of emergency until June 9 (subject to review).

Therefore, the situation of force majeure previously declared as well as all earlier announcements including suspension of service delivery standard guarantees and notice of delays remain in effect until further notice.

The post continues to operate, accepting postal items destined for all countries and sending them via alternative routes.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

The post can no longer guarantee service delivery standards. It has suspended processing of all inbound and outbound international mail conveyed via passenger air transport until further notice.

It will strive to find alternative means to convey its outbound mail by truck or cargo air transport. Customers are advised that there may be significant delays.

For preventive purposes, shipments are stored in a warehouse for 72 hours prior to transport. The post also will store postal items at its offices for up to 60 days to alleviate customers’ concerns about having to collect items immediately and help reduce the flow of customers at post offices.

Lithuania – 6/19/2020

Lithuania Post advises that the government has lifted the quarantine regime, however, measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 may still result in staff shortages or temporary suspension of the work of some post offices. Lithuania Post will continue to provide services according to safety guidelines, but all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery will be delivered to the addressees directly, and addressee signatures will be collected (except in cases where the addressee is isolating).

Operational conditions remain difficult (with cancellation of international flights, etc.), and this may also cause delays. Accordingly, the usual service delivery standards still cannot be guaranteed, and the force majeure situation remains in force.

Luxembourg – 4/8/2020

Luxembourg’s post advises that the delivery of letters will be suspended on April 10.

Post Luxembourg advises international and domestic operations will continue as normal insofar as possible. However, several measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of both customers and staff.

In general, post offices will remain open (with some exceptions) but will be closed on Saturdays.

For mail items requiring a signature on delivery, the addressee’s signature will be replaced by the postal carrier’s signature, together with the delivery code, in the signature field.

Post Luxembourg is no longer able to guarantee delivery times or comply with standard rules for signature on delivery.

Malta – 3/19/2020

MaltaPost advises that it is suspending signature on delivery as part of efforts to minimize spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). For these items, the post employee will ask for the recipient’s name and ID number, and this information will be entered in the signature field on the registration barcode sticker.

Montenegro – 4/10/2020

Montenegro Post advises that it has partially resumed international mail traffic. It is now able to send mail to Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Serbia and Slovenia.

It also is able to accept all inbound mail from posts in Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia. Montenegro Post says it hopes to resume timely exchange of mail with the remaining countries of Europe and the rest of the world as soon as possible.

Netherlands – 4/10/2020

Netherlands post advises that it has made further changes to the delivery procedure for all international inbound items that would normally require a signature.

It no longer provides a recipient’s signature for registered items, parcels or express mail service items.

Alternative proofs of delivery have been implemented, including signature of the delivery person, last three digits of the addressee’s identity card or simply a proof of delivery scan event.

Norway – 3/19/2020

Norway’s post advises that it is currently unable to send postal items to any countries outside the European Union, with the exception of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Norway’s post is declaring a situation of force majeure and has stopped accepting postal items destined for countries not listed above until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.

These temporary measures are due to the lack of transport capacity as steps are taken to limit the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Poland – 3/20/2020

Poland’s post advises that its airmail unit in Warsaw will be moving to a new location Feb. 17-29. Periodic disruptions in international outgoing and incoming mail are possible through March 10.

Portugal – 4/22/2020

Portugal’s post advises that the government has extended until May 2 measures aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19. Service restrictions and situation of force majeure are extended until further notice.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Portugal’s post advises that it is experiencing severe impacts on service quality for international inbound and outbound mail services as a result of government measures intended to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

This includes an extended state of emergency until at least April 17.

To eliminate customer interaction at the door and meet physical distancing requirements, registered mail is now deposited in mailboxes, with the exception of registered mail with associated special services for which the postal employee will ask for the recipient’s name and enter it in the signature field on the handheld device.

Items subject to a delivery notice are now available for collection at postal outlets and post offices for a longer period of time, namely 15 working days.

The post continues to be unable to dispatch postal items to many destinations due to the extremely difficult air transport situation.

Please visit www.ctt.pt/transversais/alertas-envios-internacionais#fndtn-tab1 for up-to-date information on countries.

The post is currently unable to meet its contractual obligations, particularly regarding delivery times, standard rules for signature on delivery, hand delivery, tracking of shipments, processing of cash on delivery and insured value.

Therefore, the situation of force majeure declared previously is extended until further notice.

Romania – 5/16/2020

Romania’s post, Poșta Română, advises that the state of emergency in Romania is being replaced by a state of alert effective May 15, 2020.

Therefore, the situation of force majeure previously declared is being extended until further notice and service delivery standards (including delivery times, and other quality parameters) no longer be guaranteed.

The provisions of earlier alerts remain in force.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Romania’s post advises that the situation of force majeure will continue until May 14 as the government extends its state of emergency.

The post can no longer guarantee service delivery standards. The provisions of earlier messages will remain in force until the end of the state of emergency.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Romania’s post advises that additional measures are being taken in response to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19. The post is currently unable to send letters and parcels to an increasing number of countries both within and outside the European Union due to the suspension of flights.

Therefore, it is no longer accepting letters and parcels for destinations to which transport capacities are unavailable.

In addition, it is unable to send outbound express mail service items and will no longer accept such items until sufficient transport capacity becomes available. Open transit mails cannot be accepted for any destination country.

Spain – 5/28/2020

Spain’s post advises the government has extended a state of alert until June 7 and the previously declared force majeure remains in effect.

Consequently, until further notice, the post remains unable to guarantee the quality of service for all types of inbound and outbound mail and compliance with delivery standards for items requiring a signature.

Because of improved international transport capacity and acceptance, the post is able to send mail to a number of countries, including the United States. The post is working on a plan to gradually resume normal operations over the coming weeks.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Spain’s post is now able to send mail to the United States and a number of other countries following improvements in the international transport situation.

It’s expected that further new routes will be opened for new destinations in the coming weeks as charter flights are made available by the main airlines operating in Spain.

However, with normal flights not expected to resume until the end of June, Spain’s post cannot currently accept letters and parcels for destinations to which there is no transport capacity.

Under these circumstances, the force majeure situation already announced continues.

This will continue to have a major impact on operations and quality of service for all types of inbound and outbound mail.

Switzerland – 4/1/2020

Swiss Post has changed its delivery process for all items requiring a signature on delivery to minimize the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and comply with guidelines issued by the government.

Mail requiring a signature on delivery will not be signed for by the recipient. In place of the recipient’s signature, the delivery agent will enter a code in the signature field of the handheld device. This temporary measure will apply until further notice.

Swiss Post is no longer able to guarantee inbound and outbound mail standards and is therefore invoking a situation of force majeure with regard to the quality of service and remuneration for all categories of mail items until further notice.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Priority Mail Express International guarantee suspended — Due to airline travel restrictions and cancellations, the U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined to Switzerland.

This suspension will be in effect until further notice. The Postal Service is taking all reasonable measures to minimize impact to our customers.

Sweden – 3/31/2020

Sweden’s post advises that it is able to send mail only to countries within the European Union, with the exception of Cyprus and Malta.

It also can send mail to Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Norway, Qatar, Russian Federation, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam. This list is subject to change.

The post is currently unable to send mail to countries not listed and/or on the regularly updated list available on the website due to a lack of transport capacity.

It is therefore declaring a situation of force majeure and has stopped accepting mail destined for all concerned countries until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.

Furthermore, signature on delivery for inbound items is suspended, with the exception of items that are delivered through a retail outlet. Delivery will be conducted via methods that limit human contact.

Turkey – 4/2/2020

Due to measures imposed by authorities to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), including cancellation of numerous international flights, Turkey’s post is no longer able to send postal items to a number of countries due to lack of transport capacity.

The post is therefore declaring a situation of force majeure and customers should expect delays for all other inbound and outbound postal items.

The United Kingdom – 6/18/2020

Royal Mail Group (including Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide), advises that Saturday deliveries of untracked letters and small packets have resumed as of June 13, 2020.

Prior Advisory Still Valid

Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide), as part of UK measures to minimize the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), changes the delivery process for all mail items requiring a signature on delivery.

These items will not always be signed for by the recipient. Where the recipient has not been able to sign for the item but has received it, a code will be entered into the handheld device, and this will constitute evidence of receipt.

In addition, Royal Mail Group advises that it can no longer guarantee service delivery standards that apply under UPU and associated or related bilateral and multilateral agreements with designated operators and any interested third parties, and is invoking force majeure and analogous provisions to any such standards.

Prior Advisory Still Valid

Priority Mail Express International guarantee suspended — Due to airline travel restrictions and cancellations, the U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined to Great Britain.

This suspension will be in effect until further notice. The Postal Service is taking all reasonable measures to minimize impact to our customers.

Ukraine – 5/5/2020

Ukraine’s post advises that the previously announced country-wise state of emergency has been extended until May 11, 2020.

As such, the measures previously announced continue to apply. Despite these circumstances, Ukraine’s post is maintaining its operations (with all measures taken to protect the staff and customers), accepting postal items destined for all countries and sending them using alternative routes.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Ukraine’s post advises customers to expect delays in the delivery of all inbound mail.

Severe delays are also to be expected for outbound mail to all destinations as a result of flight suspensions.

A situation of force majeure is declared until sufficient transport capacity becomes available. National and international operational centers remain open and continue to operate.

In order to minimize human contact, indirect methods will be implemented temporarily for the delivery of mail items that would ordinarily require the addressee’s signature on delivery.

Written proof of delivery is temporarily suspended under these special circumstances.

Ukraine’s post advises that in addition to previously communicated measures taken as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, delays are to be expected in the delivery of all inbound mail and written proof of delivery is temporarily suspended.

Registered postal items (other than summons) will be left in addressees’ mailboxes, and inbound international postal items will be stored at post offices free of charge until the end of the state of emergency.

Russian Federation – 3/27/2020

Russia Post advises that effective March 28 it will not obtain a signature from the recipient at the door for postal items requiring a signature on delivery, to reduce human interaction.

In case of an unsuccessful at-the-door delivery attempt, the recipient will receive a notification requesting the person to collect the item at a designated post office.

Additionally, due to measures aimed at minimizing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Russian Post is unable to guarantee compliance with delivery standards and is invoking a situation of force majeure with regard to the quality of service and remuneration for all categories of mail items until further notice.

Vatican – 3/31/2020

The Vatican’s post advises that it is classified as an essential service and will continue operations and providing services as far as it is able to.

The current situation will have impacts in quality of service for all types of inbound and outbound mail. The post will no longer be able to guarantee delivery service standards and is invoking a case of force majeure for quality of service.

Due to insufficient transport capacity following the cancellation of many international flights, the post is also unable to transport mail to a growing number of countries and is therefore no longer accepting postal items destined for the countries concerned until further notice.

The list of destination countries affected is liable to change on a daily basis.

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South America & Central America

In addition, due to the suspension of flights, transit services will be temporarily unavailable.

Customers are advised there may be a severe impact on service quality for international inbound and outbound services. Consequently, service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed and a situation of force majeure is invoked.

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Asia

China – 2/25/2020

Priority Mail Express International guarantee suspended — Due to airline travel restrictions and cancellations, the U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined to China.

This suspension will be in effect until further notice. The Postal Service is taking all reasonable measures to minimize impact to our customers.

China Post advises that it is taking steps to prevent and minimize the spread of the coronavirus. It notes that according to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses do not survive for long on objects.

The post says it is therefore safe to receive postal items from China without risk of contracting the virus.

Measures have nevertheless been implemented to ensure the safety of mail processing and postal staff, including the disinfection of postal offices, processing centers, and transportation vehicles, and monitoring of postal staff’s physical health.

China Post says delays should be expected in mail transport, processing, and delivery.

Hong Kong – 5/28/2020

Hongkong Post has temporarily suspended the advice of delivery service for incoming mail items, in order to avoid human interaction in obtaining a signature.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Hongkong Post has temporarily changed its delivery process for all items requiring a signature on delivery in response to the latest development regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19)

Priority Mail Express International guarantee suspended — Due to airline travel restrictions and cancellations, the U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined to Hong Kong.

This suspension will be in effect until further notice. The Postal Service is taking all reasonable measures to minimize impact to our customers.

Indonesia – 3/31/2020

Indonesia’s post advises that operations for all outbound and inbound mail are disrupted due to government measures taken to minimize the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Delivery standards cannot be guaranteed, addressee signature on delivery of inbound items has been suspended, and a situation of force majeure has been declared through May 29.

Japan – 4/2/2020

Japan Post advises that as a result of many countries and territories not accepting inbound international postal items, or significantly reducing or suspending flights to and from Japan because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, its transportation performance has significantly declined.

Therefore, acceptance of international mail items by air and surface airlift for various countries and territories is being temporarily suspended effective April 2 until further notice.

Find more details at www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2020/0401_02_en.html.

Korea – 4/10/2020

Korea Post has suspended processing of outbound mail to the following additional countries listed below until further notice.

• Countries: Germany, Russian Federation, Singapore, United Kingdom
• Target items: outbound airmail (letter and parcel-post)
• Exception: only EMS is accepted for these countries.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Korea Post advises that it has suspended processing of all outbound mail to the following additional countries until further notice due to the suspension of flights resulting from the outbreak and rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19): Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii (United States of America), Iceland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Turkey, Uganda and Zambia has been suspended from until further notice owing to the suspension of flights resulting from the outbreak and rapid spread of COVID-19.

The current situation will also have repercussions in terms of quality of service for all types of inward and outward mail as Korea Post will no longer be able to guarantee the quality of service standards.

Therefore, a situation of force majeure is invoked for all types of postal services in relation to the suspension of outbound mail to the above-mentioned countries until the situation has returned to normal.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Korea Post advises it has suspended processing of all outbound mail to the following countries until further notice due to the suspension of flights resulting from the outbreak and rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19):

Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada (express mail service items only still accepted), Ethiopia, Guam, Jordan, Lebanon, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Peru, Switzerland, Tunisia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, Georgia, Ghana, Maldives, Mozambique, Oman, Pakistan, Romania, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Myanmar Post is unable to provide outbound mail services (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) to international destinations and is therefore ceasing, with immediate effect, to accept outbound letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items until passenger flights resume at Yangon Airport.

Domestic operations, including mail delivery, are still functioning under modified conditions, and Myanmar Post asks all Union member countries, insofar as is possible, to continue sending their mail dispatches to Myanmar via cargo flights.

Singapore – 4/6/2020

Singapore Post is unable to accept open or closed transit mails of any kind for any destination until further notice.

Singapore Post has declared a situation of force majeure and will operate under the following conditions until further notice, in order to minimize the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Inbound mail items:

• Signature on delivery is suspended for all mail items. However, tracked confirmation of deliveries will be provided through tracking event scans for products that allow tracking.
• All letter-box-sized items will be deposited in letterboxes. Larger items will be delivered to parcel locker stations, post offices or collection points for collection by the addressee.
• Mandatory written proof of delivery is suspended and delivery will be deemed to have occurred when the collection is confirmed at the designated collection points.

These measures will have an impact on the quality of service for all types of inbound mail and are expected to last until the end of the pandemic.

Accordingly, inbound service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed until the situation returns to normal.

Outbound mail items:

• As a result of limited flights to and from Singapore, severe delays for all outbound mail conveyed via air transport should be expected until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.

Thailand – 4/2/2020

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Oceania

Australia – 4/23/2020

Australia Post advises that it has declared a situation of force majeure for all inbound and outbound letters, parcels and express mail service items until further notice.

Precautionary measures imposed by the government to curb spread of COVID-19 are affecting daily operations and services offered by airlines and other transportation providers.

This is having a direct impact on service quality for both international inbound and outbound mail. Customers should expect delivery delays.

Previous Advisory Still Valid

Australia Post advises that it has temporarily suspended signature upon delivery for inbound items, effective immediately, in order to limit face-to-face methods of delivery and reduce the risk of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

New Zealand – 3/27/2020

New Zealand Post advises that while the government has declared a lockdown in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the post is an essential business that will remain in operation insofar as possible under the state of emergency provisions and regulations in place.

New Zealand Post can no longer guarantee service delivery standards, such as delivery times and other quality measures, and is invoking a situation of force majeure in relation to any such standards until further notice.

Additionally, a number of measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of both customers and staff, effective until further notice.

These include delivery changes for items requiring a signature and no longer providing over-the-counter services which will also mean a reduction in the capacity to accept international outbound items. Businesses that are deemed to provide essential services are still able to send their products.

With many flights suspended and transport capacity reduced, New Zealand Post is limited in its ability to send outbound mail to a number of countries.

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