NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — India Post will restart all categories of international postal services to the United States from Tuesday, ending a suspension that lasted nearly two months. The move follows the creation of a new system that meets updated U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rules on import duties.

The Department of Posts (DoP), under the Ministry of Communications, said services such as Express Mail Service (EMS), air parcels, registered letters, and tracked packets will resume from all post offices, International Business Centres, and Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras across India.

India had suspended shipments to the U.S. on Aug. 22 after Washington withdrew “de minimis” exemptions on postal imports under Executive Order 14324. The exemption had allowed goods valued up to $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. The change required postal operators to collect and remit import duties upfront, forcing India Post to halt all parcel shipments.

To comply with the new U.S. rules, India Post has adopted a Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) mechanism. Under this system, customs duties on parcels sent to the U.S. will be collected in India at the time of booking. The collected duties will then be remitted directly to the CBP through approved partners known as “Qualified Parties.”

The DoP said all duties will be charged at a flat rate of 50% of the declared free-on-board (FOB) value of each shipment. Letters, documents, and gifts valued up to $100 will remain exempt from duty.

Vandita Kaul, Secretary of the Department of Posts, said the new mechanism makes India Post fully compliant with U.S. customs regulations while keeping postal exports affordable. “India Post remains the cheaper alternative to private courier companies,” Kaul said.

To handle the transfer of duties to the CBP, India Post has partnered with U.S.-based e-commerce logistics firm Yakit. The company has been approved as India’s official intermediary for collecting and remitting export duties.

Yakit charges about one cent per shipment, but India Post said customers will not face any extra costs. Existing postage rates will remain the same. The DoP said this arrangement ensures faster customs clearance and delivery without surprise charges or delays.

LK Dash, Deputy Director General (IR & GB), said the new process will make exporting simpler for Indian businesses. “Exporters will pay the U.S. duty upfront, but the cost is usually passed on to buyers in America,” he said. “This system will help small traders and MSMEs send goods smoothly again.”

The resumption of services is expected to benefit thousands of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), artisans, e-commerce sellers, and traders who rely on postal services for exports. Many of these businesses faced disruptions after the suspension in August.

The DoP said the new structure reduces costs for exporters and makes the postal channel more competitive. It added that all Heads of Circles have been directed to raise awareness among exporters and facilitate shipments through Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras and designated booking offices.

India Post conducted extensive trials of the new system in Delhi and Maharashtra before full implementation. The department worked closely with CBP-approved Qualified Parties to ensure smooth data exchange and compliance.

Dash explained that the process required significant coordination. “We had to select a qualified partner, run software tests, and meet the U.S. compliance requirements. Now the system is fully operational,” he said.

The Department of Posts said the resumption of postal services to the U.S. marks a “major milestone” in strengthening India’s international logistics network. The move also supports national initiatives such as Make in India and One District One Product (ODOP) by enabling small producers to access global markets again.

For nearly two months, India Post had accepted only letters, documents, and small gifts worth up to $100. The complete suspension of other categories on Aug. 29 affected thousands of exporters who depended on the postal network for low-cost shipping.

With all categories of mail now reinstated, India Post expects a surge in U.S.-bound shipments ahead of the holiday season. The department said it will continue to simplify export procedures and expand its partnerships with global logistics providers.

“Restoring these services strengthens our trade ties with the United States,” Kaul said. “It ensures that Indian exporters, especially small businesses, can continue reaching American buyers efficiently and affordably.”