The Sudden Shock: Why Did India Post US Parcels Suspended?
If you’ve been planning to send a parcel to friends, family, or business partners in the United States, you might have to wait. On August 25, the Department of Posts, India, announced a sudden suspension of most postal services to the US.
The reason? A major change in US duty rules, effective from July 30, which removed the duty-free exemption for goods worth up to USD 800. Now, all parcels entering the US—no matter their value—will attract customs duties under the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA).
Only gift items worth under USD 100 remain duty-free. Everything else will face customs charges.
Why This Move Creates Confusion in Logistics?
The biggest problem lies in how duties will be collected. The new US order states that only international carriers or “qualified parties” approved by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can handle duty payments.
But here’s the catch: the US has not yet given clear guidelines on how carriers will be approved. As a result, airlines informed India Post that they cannot transport US-bound parcels from August 25.
So, India Post suspended bookings for all parcels, except:
Letters and documents
Gift items under USD 100
This prevents parcels from getting stuck in customs limbo without proper clearance.
Who Is Impacted by the Suspension?
This halt affects a wide group of people:
Individuals sending personal parcels to loved ones in the US
Businesses and exporters depending on India Post for international shipments
E-commerce sellers shipping small goods overseas
The Department of Posts has assured customers that refunds will be provided for undeliverable consignments. While they regret the inconvenience, they’ve promised to restore services once US authorities clarify customs procedures.
The Global Domino Effect
India isn’t the only country hit by these new rules of ‘India Post US Parcels Suspended’. Postal groups in France, Belgium, Austria, and Scandinavia have also suspended parcel deliveries to the US.
Even Deutsche Post DHL announced that its German parcel service will stop accepting standard US-bound parcels from August 25. However, DHL Express shipments (which follow different customs frameworks) remain unaffected.
This shows how standard postal networks are far more vulnerable to sudden policy changes compared to private courier services.
The Political Side: Trade Tensions at Play
These changes are not just about postal rules—they’re part of a bigger trade battle. Under Donald Trump’s administration, the US has toughened its stance on trade with countries like India.
Recently, the US imposed a 25% additional tariff on Indian exports, effectively raising rates to 50%, reportedly in response to India’s Russian crude oil imports.
The new US postal duty rules appear to be another layer of this larger trade strategy—reshaping global commerce while creating everyday hurdles for businesses and individuals.
What Can Customers Do Now?
If you’re affected by this suspension:
✅ Check if your parcel qualifies as a gift under USD 100 (still allowed)
✅ If already booked, apply for a refund through India Post
✅ For urgent deliveries, consider private couriers like DHL Express, FedEx, or UPS, which have their own customs clearance systems
India Post has assured the public that services will resume as soon as the US clarifies duty collection rules.
Final Takeaway: Everyday Impact of Global Trade Rules
What seems like a political decision at the top can directly affect ordinary people—students waiting for books, families sending gifts, or businesses managing cross-border logistics.
The India Post suspension or we can say ‘India Post US Parcels Suspended’, is a reminder that international trade tensions can ripple down into our daily lives. Until policies become clearer, customers need to adapt with alternative courier options.
