“All international postal items destined for the USA, regardless of their value, shall be subject to customs duties as per the country-specific International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework,” the department stated in a news release on August 29.

Executive Order No. 14324, which was issued on July 30, 2025, states that the duty-free exemption on imported products up to USD 800 has been revoked. Letters, papers, and presents up to $100 USD will not be allowed, nevertheless.

The move coincides with trade tensions after US President Donald Trump’s 25% tax on India and an extra 25% penalty for buying Russian oil.

According to the Executive Order, tariffs on postal shipments must be collected and remitted by transport carriers or other “qualified parties” that have been authorized by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Consequently, US-bound airlines announced that they would not be able to receive postal consignments because of a lack of operational and technological preparedness.

The statement stated that the Department of Posts is closely monitoring the situation and working to normalize services as soon as possible. “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.