Today, March 17, 2020, the USPS announced that four international postal services have suspended mail services and eight have announced mail disruptions. These service disruptions will affect USPS mail items sent with Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, First-Class Mail International, and First-Class Package International Service.
Suspended Mail Services
Kuwait Kuwait Postal Sector has suspended all mail services until further notice.
Moldova Posta Moldovei Has suspended all mail services until further notice.
Norway Posten Norge AS has suspended outbound letter mail to all countries outside of the EU with the exception of Arab Emirates, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Great Britain, Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, and Turkey.
Peru Servicios Postales del Perú has suspended all mail until March 30, 2020.
Service Disruptions
Estonia Estonian Post has suspended signature on delivery for inbound items. Items that require signature will be delivered to mailboxes if possible—otherwise, they will be delivered in person without signature.
Latvia Latvijas Pasts has suspended all international mail conveyed via passenger air transport until further notice. Customers should expect delays.
Luxemburg Post Luxembourg has announced that mail items will be delivered via methods that restrict direct contact. For main items that require signature on delivery, the addressee’s signature will be replaced by the mail carrier’s signature and a delivery code in the signature field.
New Zealand New Zealand Post has announced altered service for all mail items that require signature on delivery. For all deliveries requiring proof of delivery, the mail carrier will ask for the recipient’s name and leave the item on the doorstep. If the recipient is not present at the time of delivery and there is no Parcel Leave service in place, the carrier will leave a card with details of the delivery, and return the item to the Post Office.
Panama Correos de Panama is currently unable to send outgoing mail to Argentina, Aruba, Ecuador, Haiti, Honduras, Peru, Suriname Venezuela, Bolivia and the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Customers should also expect delays for the delivery of all inbound items to addressees in Panama.
Portugal CTT Correios de Portugal has announced changes for mail items requiring signature on delivery. Effective immediately, mail carrier will ask the recipient for their full name, and will enter this information in the field usually designated for signatures.
Slovenia Pošta Slovenije has announced that customers should expect significant delays for all inbound and outbound letter mail until the end of the epidemic.
Spain Correos y Telégrafos has advised that the distribution of international mail will see major delays for time being.
For more information about how coronavirus is affecting the mailing and shipping industry visit the Stamps.com Coronavirus Update Page.
