India Post will restart all categories of international postal services to the United States from October 15, nearly two months after suspending them due to changes in American customs regulations.
The Department of Posts (DoP) said the resumption covers Express Mail Service (EMS), air parcels, registered letters, and tracked packets. These services will be available through all post offices, International Business Centres, and Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras (DNKs) across India.
New Duty Payment System Introduced
To comply with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements, India Post will now use a Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) system. Under this mechanism, a flat 50% customs duty on the declared Free-on-Board (FOB) value of goods will be collected in India at the time of booking. The amount will then be remitted directly to US authorities through authorised intermediaries.
Shipments such as letters, documents, and gifts valued up to $100 will remain duty-free.
Making Exports Cheaper and Easier
According to the DoP, the new system will lower costs for exporters and make India Post a more affordable and competitive logistics option, especially for MSMEs, artisans, small traders, and e-commerce sellers.
DoP Secretary Vandita Kaul said India Post continues to offer cheaper rates compared to private courier companies, while providing direct customs compliance and end-to-end tracking.
Why the Suspension Happened
India Post had suspended all US-bound shipments on August 29 after the US government made duty collection mandatory and withdrew the de minimis exemption that earlier allowed goods worth up to $800 to enter duty-free.
This sudden policy shift required postal operators to create new systems for duty collection and remittance, prompting India Post and several other countries to temporarily halt shipments until compliant mechanisms were in place.
New Compliance Partner and Process
To manage the new customs requirements, India Post has appointed Yakit, a US-based e-commerce logistics company, as its authorised partner to collect export duties and remit them to US customs.
Yakit charges a minimal $0.01 per shipment, but the Department of Posts will absorb this cost, keeping postage rates unchanged. The new DDP process promises faster customs clearance, quicker delivery, and no hidden charges for customers.
Training and Awareness for Exporters
The DoP has directed all postal circles to inform exporters and online sellers about the new system and facilitate smooth booking through DNKs and designated post offices.
Officials said the department conducted months of software integration, partner testing, and compliance checks before reopening services to ensure full alignment with US regulations.
Strengthening India’s Export Network
The restoration of US-bound services is being viewed as a major step in strengthening India’s international logistics framework. The DoP said it aligns with government programs like Make in India and One District One Product (ODOP), helping Indian exporters regain access to one of their largest global markets.
