India Post Restores All International Postal Services to US with New Duty-Paid System

Services Resume After Two-Month Hiatus

India Post has announced the full resumption of all categories of international postal services to the United States of America (USA), effective October 15, 2025. This follows a nearly two-month suspension that began on August 22, 2025, due to new regulatory requirements from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The decision marks a significant step in restoring crucial connectivity for individuals and businesses between the two nations.

New US Regulations Prompted Suspension

The suspension was necessitated by U.S. Executive Order 14324, which eliminated the 'de minimis' exemption that previously allowed goods valued up to $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. This executive order mandated that postal operators collect and remit import duties to U.S. Customs prior to dispatching shipments. India Post initially lacked a compliant mechanism to meet these new requirements, leading to the temporary halt of services.

Implementation of Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) System

To address the regulatory challenges, India Post has successfully implemented a new Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) system. Under this mechanism, all applicable customs duties on shipments destined for the USA will be collected upfront in India at the time of booking. These duties will then be remitted directly to CBP through approved 'Qualified Parties'. This new system ensures full regulatory compliance, aims for faster customs clearance, and promises seamless delivery to recipients in the USA without additional duty or delays.

Key features of the new DDP system include:

• A flat customs duty rate of 50% of the declared Free on Board (FOB) value, applied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff.
• Exemption from duty for letters, documents, and gifts valued up to $100.
• No additional charges levied by the Department of Posts for facilitating DDP and Qualified Party services, with postal tariffs remaining unchanged.
• Appointment of Yakit, a U.S.-based logistics company, to assist in collecting and transferring duties to U.S. Customs.

Boost for Exporters and Enhanced Accessibility

The resumption of services and the introduction of the DDP system are expected to significantly benefit micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), artisans, and e-commerce sellers in India by providing predictable and transparent shipping costs. All categories of international mail, including EMS (Express Mail Service), air parcels, registered letters, and tracked packets, can now be booked for delivery to the USA. Customers can access these services through any Post Office, International Business Centre (IBC), Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra (DNK), or via the India Post online portal. The successful operational trials conducted in the Delhi and Maharashtra Circles paved the way for this nationwide rollout.