India will halt all postal services to the United States from August 25 following a shift in U.S. customs regulations. The Department of Posts confirmed the suspension in a Saturday statement, attributing the move to new tariff rules under the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA).
From August 29, all postal consignments destined for the U.S. will attract customs duties, with the duty-free threshold of $800 on imports withdrawn under Executive Order No. 14324. Only letters, documents, and gift parcels valued up to $100 will continue to enjoy duty-free entry.
The measure is tied to escalating trade tensions between New Delhi and Washington, after President Donald Trump announced steep tariffs on Indian goods and penalized oil imports from Russia. The order also requires U.S.-approved carriers or agents to collect and remit customs duties on postal shipments, a task airlines say they are not prepared to undertake immediately.
The Department of Posts has urged patience, stressing that steps are being taken to restore normal postal operations to the U.S. at the earliest opportunity.