As you may remember, changes within the Universal Postal Union (UPU) were negotiated last fall to effectively change the process for member countries to compensate each other for inbound/outbound mail and parcel volumes.  This was originally projected to be a 5 year plan beginning July 1, 2020.  With that date quickly approaching, we just received the new postage rates and will need time to digest and create new rate tables along with all that goes into making the changes.  We hope to be able to communicate the new rates within a couple of weeks. 

I also want to mention what I know about upcoming changes to the Commercial ePacket service.  Currently, there are 36 countries and the USPS is seeking individual agreements with those countries but suffice to say that there will be a significant decrease in the number of countries on the list.  As of this date, there are 14 signed agreements (including Canada) and more will be added but we just don't know who or how many as negotiations are ongoing through July 1 and beyond.  We will do our best to update all customers as new information becomes available.

We fully realize that this has been an incredibly difficult time for the entire industry as deliveries have been adversely affected worldwide by COVID-19 related issues.  So we at IMS understand that the timing of this announcement flat out stinks to put it bluntly.  We'll provide updates as soon as possible. 

• Sherry Patten, Sales/Service, scheduling pickups, quotes, etc (spatten@intlmailserv.com)
• Trisha Goodrich, AP/AR, invoicing (tgoodrich@intlmailserv.com)
• Mark Bouman, all other inquiries (mbouman@intlmailserv.com)

My hope is that we can all work together to get through this stronger than ever before.  Our thoughts an prayers are with all of you, we're in this together!

Dear Customer,

Please see the following two messages received from the UPU concerning heavy, snow, rain and flooding in the UK:

Emergency Information System Message

Message n° 64/2020

27 February 2020

The designated operator of the United Kingdom, Royal Mail, would like to inform other Union member countries and their designated operators that heavy rainfall in various areas has caused severe flooding, with many roads closed and impassable.

The collection and the delivery of letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items has therefore been suspended, since 18 February 2020, in all areas with postcodes starting with the prefixes DE, HR, SY, TF, WR or WV.

Royal Mail thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their understanding. It will update them via EmIS once the situation has returned to normal.

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Emergency Information System Message

Message n° 65/2020

27 February 2020

The designated operator of the United Kingdom, Royal Mail, would like to inform other Union member countries and their designated operators that there has been heavy snowfall in certain areas, causing treacherous conditions and preventing collections and deliveries from taking place.

The collection and delivery of parcel-post and EMS items have therefore been suspended, since 24 February 2020, in all areas with postcodes starting with the prefixes DG, DH, HU, LA, NE or YO.

Royal Mail thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their understanding. It will update them via EmIS once the situation has returned to normal.

The designated operator of Italy, Poste Italiane, asks us to inform other Union member countries and their designated operators that, in accordance with the ministerial order resulting from recent cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), precautionary closure is being applied to the locations with the following postcodes from 22 February 2020:

CASALPUSTERLENGO: 26814, 26821, 26822, 26823, 26826, 26827, 26828, 26841, 26842, 26843, 26844, 26845, 26846, 26847, 26848, 26849, 26856, 26861, 26862, 26863, 26864, 26865, 26867.

BERTONICO: 26821, 26822

CASTIGLIONE D’ADDA: 26823, 26826

TERRANOVA DEI PASSERINI 26827, 26828, 26841, 26842, 26843

CASTELGERUNDO; 26844

CODOGNO: 26845, 26846

MALEO: 26847

SAN FIORANO: 26848, 26849, 26856

FOMBIO: 26861, 26862, 26863, 26864, 26865

SOMAGLIA: 26867

The collection/acceptance and delivery of letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items from/to the above-mentioned locations is temporarily suspended.

Poste Italiane thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their understanding and apologizes for any inconvenience caused. It will provide an update via EmIS once the situation has returned to normal.

UPDATED 3/4/20

With regard to EER message no. 09/2020 and subsequent updates, concerning precautionary measures to minimize spread of the novel coronavirus in Italy, please find below another update of the situation as of yesterday.

Precautionary closure applied to previously reported municipalities has partially been removed: please find below the municipalities where the situation is back to normal, in which we are committed to deliver and manage backlog in a couple of week’s time, and those municipalities where the closure still applies, with the relevant postcodes. Please be aware this situation will be continued until different communication is provided by the relevant H&S authorities. We will promptly inform you about any further progress.

Please be also informed that, given the limited area affected by this provision so far, Poste Italiane keeps on storing the cross-border items addressed to the closed up areas, until they will be re-opened. 

Besides the above listed “off limits red zones”, please consider that negative impact on delivery may also occur in the neighboring areas, because of precautionary temporary closure for “natural disaster” or “building disinfection” of public places (such as schools, universities, nurseries, theatres), or businesses open to the public (such as restaurants, cafeterias), provided for by local orders or by individual initiative.

We will promptly inform members about any relevant development in this respect.

UPDATED 3/6/20

Further to EmIS 72/2020, the designated operator of Italy, Poste Italiane, asks us to inform other Union member countries and their designated operators that, further to the Ministerial Decree of 4 March 2020, postal services have resumed in off-limits municipalities, with effect from 5 March 2020. However, the following temporary and precautionary measures, aimed at minimizing human contact, will be taken:

–          All mail items, including registered mail, insured letter-post items and parcels, will be deposited in mailboxes, with a notice signed by the postman/woman, informing the recipient of this temporary measure;

–          If the addressee is absent or refuses to accept this mode of delivery, the postman/woman will leave a specific form (notice of delivery) and instructions in the recipient’s mailbox, enabling the recipient to collect the item from a post office;

–          Items rejected by the addressee will be returned to sender.

As of 6 March 2020, these measures will be extended to the entire national territory, until 15 March or until any other information is provided by the relevant authorities.

Poste Italiane thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their understanding and will provide updates on any further progress via EmIS.

UPDATED 3/9/20

Further to EmIS 73/2020, the designated operator of Italy, Poste Italiane, asks us to inform other Union member countries and their designated operators that the provisions of the Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020 (site in Italian: www.governo.it/it/articolo/coronavirus-firmato-il-dpcm-8-marzo-2020/14266) do not affect commercial transport. Postal services are thus able to continue operating, subject to the extraordinary measures described in the previous EmIS, which have now been extended to the whole national territory.

Poste Italiane is strongly committed to supporting the country’s comprehensive action aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19, and is actively engaged in ensuring compliance with the continuously updated government instructions. In this regard, Poste Italiane thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their understanding; it will provide updates via EmIS.

Dear Customer,

Please see the following messages concerning impacts of the coronavirus in China:

February 10, 2020

The designated operator of the United States of America, the United States Postal Service (USPS), would like to provide Union member countries and their designated operators with the following information. USPS is currently experiencing significant difficulties in dispatching its letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items to China (People's Rep.), because most of its supplier airlines have suspended their flights to China until further notice.

As a consequence, starting immediately, USPS can no longer accept transit letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items destined for China, until sufficient transport capacity becomes available. Additionally, for purposes of its quality of service measurement and pay-for-performance arrangements (such as EMS guaranteed service) USPS is now declaring force majeure for the mail items it sends to China.

USPS thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their understanding during this challenging period, and will update them via EmIS once the situation has returned to normal.

February 8, 2020

PME Int'l Guarantee Suspension to China and Hong Kong beginning February 10th

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will be temporarily suspending the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined for China and Hong Kong, effective Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, due to widespread airline cancellations and restrictions into this area.

USPS is undertaking all reasonable measures to minimize the impact to our customers.

February 7, 2020

Further to EmIS 10/2020, the designated operator of China (People’s Rep.), China Post, asks us to reiterate and inform other Union member countries and their designated operators of the following issues with regard to preventing and minimizing the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), as per the requirements of the Chinese government.

First of all, according to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses do not survive for long on objects. It is therefore safe to receive postal items from China, without risk of contracting the new coronavirus. Measures have nevertheless been implemented to ensure the safety of mail processing and postal staff, including disinfection of postal offices, processing centres and transportation vehicles, and monitoring of postal staff’s physical health. China Post kindly requests the assistance of other Union member countries and their designated operators in providing the above information to senders.

1. Measures taken for disinfection and delivery

All postal offices, processing centres and transportation vehicles will be disinfected regularly and postal staff’s physical health will be monitored. For all inbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items), China Post will contact the recipient by telephone in advance to inquire as to their delivery preferences. Delivery will be conducted via non-face-to-face methods, such as temporary storage at the postal outlet, availability for collection from the outlet, or delivery to a smart parcel locker. Therefore, delays should be expected in the processing and delivery of inbound mail, and it may not be possible to provide written proof of delivery.

1.  Impact on customer inquiry

As delivery options for all inbound mail need to be agreed by the recipient in advance, China Post kindly requests the assistance of other Union member countries and their designated operators in explaining to senders the aforementioned delivery options, which may not allow for the provision of written proof of delivery under these special circumstances.

With regard to customer inquiry for inbound mail (registered/insured letter-post items, parcel-post and EMS items), the provision of written proof of delivery by China Post is not mandatory under such circumstances. Inquirers who submit inquiries to the system while this provision remains effective should be advised not to escalate their inquiries to subsequent workflow levels.

1. Impact on transit mail transportation

Owing to the spread of the 2019-nCoV virus, a number of international airlines have suspended flights to mainland China, and some border ports in neighbouring countries are also temporarily closed. As a consequence, China Post will temporarily store affected transit mail (air and surface) and will transport it to the destination countries when these transport options are once again available. Delays should be expected in transport and delivery during this period.

To date, transit mail to the following countries has been affected: Dem. People’s Rep. of Korea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam.

China Post thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their understanding, and will inform them via EmIS once the situation has returned to normal.

January 28, 2020

The designated operator of China (People’s Rep.), China Post, asks us to inform other Union member countries and their designated operators that, in order to prevent the risk of further transmission and spreading of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), China Post has been instructed by the Chinese government to disinfect all mails destined to or transiting via Wuhan at its processing centre.

For international mails (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) destined for Hubei Province (postcodes 430000–449999), China Post will contact the addressee by telephone before delivery to ask about their delivery preferences. The mail can either be temporarily stored at the postal outlet, or made available for pick-up from the outlet, or delivered to a smart parcel locker, or delivered by other non-face-to-face methods. These steps will result in delays to international inbound mail processing and delivery, and it will not be possible to provide written proof of delivery in some cases.

Delivery methods for international inbound mails are thus agreed by the recipient before delivery, and China Post kindly requests the assistance of other Union member countries and their designated operators in explaining the special circumstances to senders.

China Post thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their understanding; it will inform them via EmIS once the situation is back to normal.

China (People’s Rep.), China Post, asks us to reiterate and inform other Union member countries and their designated operators of the following issues with regard to preventing and minimizing the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), as per the requirements of the Chinese government.

First of all, according to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses do not survive for long on objects. It is therefore safe to receive postal items from China, without risk of contracting the new coronavirus. Measures have nevertheless been implemented to ensure the safety of mail processing and postal staff, including disinfection of postal offices, processing centres and transportation vehicles, and monitoring of postal staff’s physical health. China Post kindly requests the assistance of other Union member countries and their designated operators in providing the above information to senders.

1. Measures taken for disinfection and delivery

All postal offices, processing centres and transportation vehicles will be disinfected regularly and postal staff’s physical health will be monitored. For all inbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items), China Post will contact the recipient by telephone in advance to inquire as to their delivery preferences. Delivery will be conducted via non-face-to-face methods, such as temporary storage at the postal outlet, availability for collection from the outlet, or delivery to a smart parcel locker. Therefore, delays should be expected in the processing and delivery of inbound mail, and it may not be possible to provide written proof of delivery.

1. Impact on customer inquiry

As delivery options for all inbound mail need to be agreed by the recipient in advance, China Post kindly requests the assistance of other Union member countries and their designated operators in explaining to senders the aforementioned delivery options, which may not allow for the provision of written proof of delivery under these special circumstances.

With regard to customer inquiry for inbound mail (registered/insured letter-post items, parcel-post and EMS items), the provision of written proof of delivery by China Post is not mandatory under such circumstances. Inquirers who submit inquiries to the system while this provision remains effective should be advised not to escalate their inquiries to subsequent workflow levels.

1. Impact on transit mail transportation

Owing to the spread of the 2019-nCoV virus, a number of international airlines have suspended flights to mainland China, and some border ports in neighbouring countries are also temporarily closed. As a consequence, China Post will temporarily store affected transit mail (air and surface) and will transport it to the destination countries when these transport options are once again available. Delays should be expected in transport and delivery during this period.

To date, transit mail to the following countries has been affected: Dem. People’s Rep. of Korea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam.

China Post thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their understanding, and will inform them via EmIS once the situation has returned to normal.

From USPS Headquarters:

Dear Customer,

I would like to inform you of issues in Brazil which have resulted in delays over the last several weeks for mailings to that country.  Following reports of delays from several customers, our office contacted Brazil Post to request details on the situation  and an estimate on when it can be expected to be resolved. 

In the response received yesterday, Brazil Post informed us the delays are the result of significant increases in inbound volumes which were 56% higher in December 2019 over the same period in 2018.  They explained “This unexpected high volumes associated with some technical transmission issues have generated an impact on the treatment and information exchange of some items. However, due to some contingency actions implemented by our operational area, the forecast for the complete regularization of these issues is the second half of February.”

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as additional information is received.

The government of Norway recently announced changes to the assessment of Value Added Tax (VAT) and customs duties/taxes/fees on low value goods imported into the country effective in 2020.  Low value is defined as below 3000 Norwegian Kroner (approximately USD $339.00).  Under the new regulations, the exemption of VAT and customs duties/taxes/fees for low value goods sent from foreign sellers to consumers in Norway (de minimus threshold) is being eliminated in two stages - January 1 and April 1.  The intent is to charge VAT on all goods, regardless of value, but to no longer charge customs duties/taxes/fees on low value items.  Previously, goods from abroad were not assessed if valued at less than 350 Norwegian Kroner (approximately USD $39.00) including postage/shipping costs and insurance.

Following is the implementation schedule:

• January 1, 2020:  The exemption on customs duties/taxes/fees for low value goods (goods with a value below 350 Norwegian Kroner (approximately USD $39.00) was eliminated for foodstuffs and dietary supplements.  In addition, VAT was introduced on such goods.  All charges on such goods imported through the international postal channel are paid by the addressee.
• April 1, 2020:  The exemption for all other goods valued below 350 Norwegian Kroner (approximately USD $39.00) will be eliminated.  VAT will be introduced on such goods and paid by the sellers through a process similar to those recently established by Australia and New Zealand.  However, customs duties/taxes/fees will no longer be charged on such goods when VAT is paid through the newly established VAT payment process.  This process, called VOEC (VAT On E-Commerce), will be required for sellers and online marketplaces with annual sales of 50,000 Norwegian Kroner (approximately USD $5,600.00) to Norwegian consumers.  Under VOEC, companies will register with the Norwegian Tax Administration and remit the collected VAT on a quarterly basis. The VOEC registration number will be required to be printed on postal customs forms/address labels.

Please note the Norwegian Tax Administration is currently in the process of establishing the VOEC registration system.  It is expected to be operational by February 1, 2020.  Additional details will be provided as they are received.

Companies with annual sales of less than 50,000 Norwegian Kroner (approximately USD $5,600.00) to Norwegian consumers will not be required to register under the VOEC system but can do so on an optional basis.  It may be desirable for such companies to exercise this option since goods sent to Norway by VOEC unregistered companies will be subject to VAT in addition to customs duties/taxes/fees which will be paid by the addressee.

It should also be noted that goods with a value above 3000 Norwegian Kroner (approximately USD $339.00) are not eligible to be entered under the VOEC system.  Such items will be subject to VAT in addition to customs duties/taxes/fees which will be paid by the addressee. 

Please see the following references for further information:

• Attached Powerpoint presentation prepared by Norway Post. 
• Links to Norwegian Tax Administration website:
  • Exporting goods to consumers in Norway – Important changes from 1 January 2020: https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/business-and-organisation/vat-and-duties/vat/exporting-goods-to-consumers-in-norway--important-changes
  • Purchases from abroad: https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/person/duties/purchases-from-abroad/