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.

Under an Executive Order issued by the US administration on July 30, 2025, goods valued above $100 will be subject to customs duties in America with effect from August 29 onwards.

Ministry of Communications, in a statement, said that the move comes after Executive Order No. 14324, issued on 30 July 2025, withdrew the duty-free exemption on goods valued up to $800. Under the new framework, all international postal items to the USA will attract customs duties in line with the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff system. "Gift items valued up to $ 100, however, will continue to remain exempt," the statement said.

As per the order, transport carriers or “qualified parties” designated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are responsible for collecting and remitting these duties. But with several critical processes still undefined, U.S.-bound air carriers have expressed their inability to accept consignments, forcing India Post to halt services.