New Delhi: India's postal department has announced the complete suspension all mail bookings to the US.

India Post on August 22 had announced that it will temporarily suspend all parcel services to the US from August 25 citing confusion over new American import duties.

"In continuation of the Public Notice dated August 22, 2025, the Department of Posts has reviewed the suspension of booking of mail to the United States of America," the department said in a Press Information Bureau release on August 31.

The department said that the absence of defined regulatory mechanisms has led to the decision.

The Trump administration has scrapped the global “de minimis” rule under which it allowed parcels under $800 to enter the US with minimal paperwork. Starting August 29, parcels entering the US are going to attract customs duties. Small gifts under $100 are an exception, although the Indian government has not considered it so.

"In view of the ongoing inability of carriers to transport U.S.-bound mail and in the absence of defined regulatory mechanisms, it has been decided to completely suspend the booking of all categories of mail, including letters, documents, and gift items valued up to USD 100, destined for the USA," it said.

Bloomberg has noted in a report that the number of small packages entering the US duty-free exploded to nearly 1.4 billion last year, a 600% increase over the prior decade, according to US Customs and Border Protection.

The postal department said that it is closely monitoring the situation and making "every effort to restore services at the earliest."

It added that customers who have already booked items that could not be dispatched can claim a refund of postage. "The inconvenience caused to valued customers is sincerely regretted," it said.

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