India Temporarily Suspends Postal Services To US From August 25 After Tariff Hike By Donald Trump, Gift Items Up To $100 Exempted - DETAILS

New Delhi: India on Saturday temporarily suspend all types of postal articles to the United States days after US President Donald Trump's 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. The Department of Posts in a statement said that the services will be withdrawn from August 25. Notably, only letters/documents and gift items up to USD 100 in value are exempted.

As per the department, the customers who have already booked articles that cannot be dispatched to the USA due to these circumstances may seek a refund of postage.

"The Department of Posts has taken note of the Executive Order No. 14324 issued by the U.S. Administration on 30th July, 2025, under which the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to USD 800 will be withdrawn with effect from 29th August, 2025," the statement read.

"Consequently, all international postal items destined for the USA, regardless of their value, shall be subject to customs duties as per the country-specific International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework. However, gift items up to the value of USD 100 shall continue to remain exempt from duties," it added.

As per the executive order, transport carriers delivering shipments through the international postal network, or other “qualified parties” approved by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are required to collect and remit duties on postal shipments.

"While CBP issued certain guidelines on 15th August, 2025, several critical processes relating to the designation of “qualified parties” and mechanisms for duty collection and remittance remain undefined. Consequently, U.S. bound air carriers have expressed their inability to accept postal consignments after 25th August, 2025, citing lack of operational and technical readiness," the postal department said.

"The Department of Posts has decided to temporarily suspend booking of all types of postal articles, destined for the USA with effect from 25th August, 2025, except letters/documents and gift items up to USD100 in value. These exempt categories will continue to be accepted and conveyed to the USA, subject to further clarifications from CBP and USPS," the statement added.

The postal department said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in coordination with all stakeholders.

"The Department of Posts deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to customers and assures that all possible measures are being undertaken to resume full services to the USA at the earliest," it said.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on goods from India, including an additional 25 per cent secondary tariffs for purchasing Russian oil. India termed the decision as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable".