India suspends all postal services to US amid tariff war, including gifts valued up to $100

Department of Posts has completely suspended the booking of all categories of US-bound mail, following new regulations announced by the US government that change how goods are shipped into the country.

The notice mentioned that all mails destined to the US, including letters/documents and gifts value upto USD 100 will not be booked.

"In view of the inability of carriers to transport U.S.-bound mail, and undefined regulatory mechanisms, it has now been decided to completely suspend booking of all categories of mail, including letters/documents and gifts value upto 100 USD, destined to the USA," the government said in a notice on Friday.


The notice reaffirmed that the government is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to restore services at the earliest.

In a letter dated August 22, 2025, the government conveyed that booking and transmission of all categories of mail items destined for the United States, except documents/letters and gift items up to USD 100 in value, shall remain suspended with effect from August 25, 2025.

This move comes after the US administration issued Executive Order No. 14324 on July 30, 2025, withdrawing the duty-free exemption on imported goods worth up to USD 800.

This implies that from August 29, all goods entering the US will attract customs duties under the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework. However, gift items up to USD 100 will continue to remain duty-free.

The notice read as follows - The Department of Posts informs the public that, due to recent regulatory changes introduced by the U.S. Administration under Executive Order No. 14324 (effective 29th August, 2025), the booking and transmission of all categories of mail items destined for the United States-excepl documents/letters and gift items up to USD too irt uolue-shall remain suspended with effect from 25th August, 2025.

The Department, in its notice, stated that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection now demands fully defined mechanisms for duty collection and data exchange. The Indian U.S.-bound carriers have expressed their inability to carry postal shipments in the absence of the same.

The citizens can claim a postage refund if they have booked any item already that cannot be dispatched to the US.