Global Postal Services Disrupted: UPU Working on Solution to Resume Mail to the US
Postal traffic to the United States has drastically decreased by over 80% due to the new tariffs imposed by Washington. The Universal Postal Union (UPU), a United Nations postal cooperation agency, is actively working on developing a technical solution to resume mail services to the US. Following the US administration's decision to eliminate a tax exemption on small packages entering the country, 88 postal operators worldwide have either fully or partially suspended their services to the US.
The impact of the new tariffs has been significant, with countries like Australia, Britain, France, Germany, India, Italy, and Japan announcing that they will no longer accept most packages bound for the US. Data exchanged among postal operators through the UPU's electronic network revealed an 81% decrease in postal traffic to the US on August 29 compared to the previous week. Additionally, 88 postal operators have informed the UPU that they have suspended some or all postal services to the US until a solution is found.
Among the postal operators that have suspended services to the US are Germany's Deutsche Post, Britain's Royal Mail, and two operators in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The UPU, headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, was established in 1874 and has 192 member states. It plays a crucial role in setting international mail exchange rules and making recommendations to enhance postal services.
In conclusion, the impact of the new tariffs on postal traffic to the United States has been substantial, leading to a significant reduction in mail services from various countries. The UPU is actively working on finding a technical solution to address the issue and resume postal operations to the US. The situation highlights the interconnected nature of global postal services and the importance of international cooperation in overcoming challenges in the postal industry.