New Delhi : The Department of Posts has announced that it will temporarily stop accepting most postal consignments to the United States from August 25, following changes to US duty rules that come into effect later this month. The US issued an order on July 30, withdrawing the duty-free exemption for goods valued up to USD 800. Regardless of their value, will attract customs duties under the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework.
Only international carriers and other qualified parties approved by US Customs can collect and pay duties on postal shipments. But since the process for approving these parties and setting up duty collection isn’t clear yet, airlines have said they won’t be able to carry US-bound postal parcels after August 25. India Post will suspend the booking of all types of articles for the US from August 25, except for letters, documents, and gift items valued up to USD 100.
The Department of Posts deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to customers and assures that all possible measures are being undertaken to resume full services to the USA at the earliest, the statement said. India is not alone in halting shipments. Postal groups in Scandinavia, Austria, France and Belgium have also paused parcel deliveries to the US ahead of the rule change, as per a report by news agency Reuters.
Private customers can still send gifts under USD 100, but these shipments will face stricter checks to prevent misuse. The US order on international shipments is part of the sweeping trade changes Donald Trump has made in his second term as US President. Apart from this, he has imposed retaliatory tariffs on dozens of nations, including India.
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