UPU launches solution to restart US mail delivery

Photo:WAM

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), which is the United Nations agency responsible for global postal cooperation, has introduced a new solution to help postal services restart deliveries to the United States.

The action comes after a sudden drop of over 80% in postal traffic to the US. This decline happened because the US recently ended its duty-free de minimis exemption for low-value goods on August 29, 2025. The exemption previously allowed small shipments to enter the US without customs fees.

UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki said, “Our mission is to ensure that mail can move freely across the world. We are working quickly to create a solution that will allow postal operators to send mail to the US again.”

As of September 5, postal services worldwide can use a new tool called a “landed-cost calculator.” This tool is available through an application programming interface (API), which can be connected to the systems used at post offices and online shipping platforms. It allows postal operators to calculate the necessary duties on parcels and collect them from customers before shipping.

The UPU is helping postal services implement this solution by providing guidance, updating internal processes, and training postal staff to handle the new system.

The impact of the US policy change was immediate. Data from the UPU’s electronic network showed that mail traffic from member countries to the US fell by 81% on the very first day of the regulation, Friday, August 29, compared to the previous Friday, August 22.

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Additionally, 88 postal operators reported to the UPU that they had suspended some or all of their services to the US until a solution could be implemented. This highlights how widespread the effects of the US regulation were on international mail and deliveries.

The new UPU solution aims to restore normal postal operations and make sure that international mail can continue to move efficiently to the United States. By enabling postal operators to calculate duties at the point of origin, customers can ship their items without facing delays or unexpected fees at US customs.

Experts say this development is significant because it helps maintain global trade and communication through postal services. Small businesses, online shoppers, and international traders all rely heavily on smooth and predictable postal deliveries, and the suspension of the de minimis exemption created major disruptions in this flow.

With the UPU’s new solution, postal operators can now resume sending letters, packages, and goods to the US with clear information about duties and charges. This ensures that postal items can reach their destinations without unnecessary delays and helps rebuild confidence in international mail systems.

The move by the UPU demonstrates how global agencies can quickly respond to sudden changes in national regulations and ensure that essential services, like mail delivery, continue to operate smoothly.