Pakistan has suspended outbound mail to the United States following a sweeping change in US customs rules that has disrupted postal services worldwide.
The move comes after Washington scrapped duty-free treatment for incoming mail under Executive Order 14324, signed on July 25. The order mandates taxes and duties on all parcels and letters entering the US, a shift that has left airlines and postal agencies scrambling to adjust.
A Pakistan Post notice confirmed that all booked mail destined for the US has been temporarily stopped, citing a risk that packages could be rejected and returned under the stricter requirements.
Pakistan is not alone. More than two dozen nations, including major postal hubs such as China, the UK, Japan, Australia, Germany, and India, have also paused shipments. Airlines reportedly face logistical hurdles in processing mail under the new regime, further complicating deliveries.
The Universal Postal Union (UPU), the UN body overseeing international postal cooperation, has stepped in to mediate. Several countries are pressing the US to ease implementation or provide a transition period, arguing the abrupt policy change could choke global e-commerce and disrupt personal correspondence.
While Washington says the new rules aim to tighten border security and ensure fair trade, the fallout has been swift, hitting both businesses and individuals who rely on affordable cross-border mail.
