The Universal Postal Union (UPU), which is the United Nations agency responsible for global postal cooperation, has introduced a new solution to support postal services restart deliveries to the United States. The agency’s step comes after postal traffic to the country dipped more than 80% following the suspension of the duty-free de minimis exemption for shipments with a value below US$800 regardless of the country of origin of the products effective since 29AUG25.
UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki said, “Our mission is to ensure that mail can move freely across the world. We are working quickly to create a solution that will allow postal operators to send mail to the U.S. again.”
The impact of Washington’s policy change was immediate. Data from UPU’s electronic network showed that mail traffic from member countries to the U.S. fell by 81% on the very first day of the regulation, Friday, August 29, compared to the previous Friday, August 22. Additionally, 88 postal operators reported to the UPU that they had suspended some or all of their services to the US until a solution could be implemented. This highlights how widespread the effects of the U.S. regulation were on international mail and deliveries.
To restore mail flows to the USA, UPU presented a new solution named ‘Delivered Duty Paid’ (DDP) which will soon be integrated in its Customs Declaration System (CDS) platform, allowing a gradual roll-out by the 176 postal operators using this platform. Solutions to transfer the required data and to remit the amounts to the qualified third party will also be provided, and postal agencies will have at their disposal all the necessary technological tools to keep the mail moving. The UPU will support postal operators with the roll out of this complete solution, including adapting their internal procedures and training postal staff. UPU was established in 1874 as a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for the postal sector. With its 192 member countries, the Bern, Switzerland-based organization is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players, helping ensure a universal network of up-to-date products and services.
