India will resume all categories of international postal services to the United States starting October 15, following a temporary suspension that began on August 22. This suspension was due to changes in U.S. import regulations under Executive Order 14324, which eliminated the de minimis exemption for shipments valued under $800, requiring upfront duty collection for all incoming postal items.

The Department of Posts has developed a new Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) mechanism to comply with the updated U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations. This system allows customs duties to be collected at the time of booking in India and remitted directly to U.S. authorities, ensuring faster customs clearance and hassle-free delivery.

Under the new arrangement, shipments from India to the U.S. will incur a flat customs duty of 50% of the declared Free on Board (FOB) value. Unlike courier or commercial shipments, there will be no additional product-specific duties, making this option more cost-effective for exporters, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), artisans, and e-commerce traders.

India Post will not charge any extra fees for facilitating the DDP process, and international postal tariffs will remain unchanged. Customers can book various postal services, including EMS, Air Parcels, Registered Letters, and Tracked Packets, through any Post Office, International Business Centre, Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra, or the official online portal.

The resumption of these services is crucial for many businesses that rely on affordable logistics to reach American consumers. The new system aims to streamline customs processes and restore trust among exporters and consumers, ensuring continuity of trade between India and the U.S. This development comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between Indian and U.S. trade officials, highlighting the importance of maintaining constructive trade relations.