Here you will find the latest UK & global mail service updates and a list of upcoming worldwide public holidays. This is updated throughout the week with latest information available.
UK Service Updates
We are currently experiencing no collection issues with regards to UK mail or parcel deliveries but in some instances we have experienced delays to the processing and/or delivery of UK mail and courier items as a result of high volumes in the respective networks.
International Service Updates
GENERAL UPDATE – The closure of Russian airspace is causing delays to transport routes, especially to those in the far east. There are also severe delays at both sides of the Channel Tunnel due to extremely high demand and a reduced service which is affecting parcel deliveries both to an3d from Europe. Delays are also being seen to numerous destinations as a result of current flight capacity or destination handling issues.
POST-BREXIT EU TRANSPORT/CLEARANCE UPDATE – A number of our suppliers (both postal and courier) are reporting issues with regards to road transport and clearance at the EU border. This is causing delays and a number of suppliers are now charging additional EU clearance fees. If you require any additional information or if you would like to talk to our team to see how this may affect you, please contact or Client Service Team on +44 (0)1444 871111 or via e-mail on [email protected].
Belarus – Due to flying restrictions to Belarus, the country is currently only available via road. This results in a delay of approximately 14 days. As soon as flying is possible again, the transit time will be back to normal. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/05/22)
Canada – The delivery of mail and parcels to certain areas of Canada is being impacted by wildfires and evacuation orders. Affected areas include some parts of Alberta, Quebec and Nova Scotia. For more details about the contingency measures, please check the Canada Post website. Ongoing (issue start date: May 2023)
Colombia – The Mail and parcels to Colombia are expected to be delayed due to capacity issues at Colombia Post and the airport. Ongoing (issue start date: July 2023)
China – Mail and parcels to China and special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau are experiencing delays due to typhoon Saola. Expected delay 3-5 days. Ongoing (issue start date: 31/08/23)
Congo – Mail and parcels with destination Congo are expected to be delayed due to heavy floods. Expected delay 7-14 days. Ongoing (issue start date: May 2023)
Cyprus – The delivery of mail and parcels with destination Cyprus is experiencing delays due to major flooding. IT systems are also damaged, resulting in missing tracking information like delivery confirmations. Expected delay: 1-3 days. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/04/23)
Eritrea – We have been informed that due to the domestic situation in the country, all mail services to this destination remain suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 08/10/18)
Georgia – Mail and parcels to Georgia are experiencing delays due to transport issues. Expected delay 2-3 days Ongoing (issue start date: 05/09/23)
Greece – Wildfires in Greece and the surrounding islands are currently ocurring as a result of extreme weather. Delays in the affected areas are expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 19/07/23)
Hong Kong – Mail and parcels to destination Hong Kong are experiencing delays due to transport issues – expected delays upto to 14 days. Ongoing (issue start date: 04/10/22)
Indonesia – The Indonesia post office, Pos Indonesia, has communicated a change to national customs regulations effective 1st August 2021. All inbound postal items and the related declaration forms (CN 23 EMS, CN 22, CN 23 and CP 72) are to be completed with the corresponding tax ID (NPWP) of the Indonesian resident, where available. For corporate addressees, tax ID information is required. For private addresses, if the tax ID number is not available, there are some alternatives:
• National identity number (NIK);
• Passport number (for foreigners); or
• Other identification number, e.g. driver’s licence number.
Failure to comply with this regulation may result in inbound processing delays, as items will be held until the required identification numbers have been provided. Furthermore, in accordance with the new regulation, all inbound postal items containing goods will be submitted to Customs. Therefore, it is very important that all necessary steps are taken to ensure that the CN 23 EMS, CN 22, CN 23 and CP 72 customs declaration forms for all postal items containing goods (letter mail, parcels and EMS) are duly completed in accordance with article 20-001 of the UPU Convention Regulations. Incomplete, incorrectly completed, or missing customs declara tions may cause delays in delivery. Ongoing (issue start date: 04/08/21)
Italy – Mount Etna eruption causes flight suspensions: Media sources on August 14 reported that Mount Etna has begun to erupt, causing flight disruptions in the region. Sources indicate that the Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (IATA: CTA) and the Comiso Airport (IATA: CIY) have been closed until at least 20:00 local time on August 14, however, extensions are possible. Flight traffic towards Malta has also been affected. Authorities also warn of further disruptions to aviation operations in the region should the volcano continue erupting. Customers should prepare for business and transportation disruptions. . Ongoing (issue start date: 14/08/23)
Jordan – The designated operator of JORDAN, Jordan Post, wishes to inform the designated operators of other Union member countries that, in accordance with the customs clearance procedures prescribed by the Jordanian customs authority for inbound international mail items containing goods, the addressee’s mobile phone number is of vital importance. Once the item is received by Customs, the addressee will be contacted for further customs declaration and payment of customs duties and taxes. The addressee’s mobile phone number will serve as the only credential for login purposes in the customs declaration system. Meanwhile, in an effort to improve customer experience and enhance delivery performance, Jordan Post has been asking mail couriers to contact addressees in advance to arrange a specific time for delivery before they go out to deliver. If the addressee’s mobile phone number is not available, the overall delivery performance will be severely affected. Therefore, all designated operators are requested to inform their staff and customers that, wherever possible, the mobile phone number of the addressee should be provided on the CN 22, CN 23 or CP 72 customs declaration forms for all letter post, parcel post and EMS items containing goods destined for Jordan. Ongoing (issue start date: 28/11/19)
Libya – All mail services to Libya are currently suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 16/07/14)
Mexico – Mail and parcels to Mexico are expected to be delayed due to limited flight capacity. Expected delay – 7 days. Ongoing (issue start date: March 2023)
Mexico – Mail and parcels with destination Mexico are expected to be delayed due to transport issues at the Mexican postal network and backlogs caused by the closure of the Mexico City International Airport on the 20th of May. Expected delay 2-3 days. Ongoing (issue start date: 20/05/23)
Netherlands – High Volumes in the network are causing delays. Ongoing (issue start date: 15/06/23)
Niger – Mail and parcels with destination Niger cannot be delivered due to a suspension of services in Niger. Ongoing (issue start date: 31/08/23)
Norway – Mail to several regions in Norway are still experiencing delays due to severe weather conditions. Issues in postal areas 0001–6999 have been resolved, but postal areas 7000–9999 remain affected. Expected delays: 5-7 days. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/08/23 – updated 05/09/23)
North Korea – Destination North Korea is closed due to transport issues. Ongoing (issue start date: 28/09/22)
Peru – The designated operator of Peru, Servicios Postales del Perú (Serpost), wishes to inform that, owing to the civil unrest and protests taking place in Peru, there may be disruption to postal services (both inbound and outbound). The unrest has disrupted transportation and access to certain areas of the country, making it difficult to ensure the timely delivery of mail. Ongoing (issue start date: 10/12/22 – updated 03/02/23)
Poland – Poland Post has advised that they are currently experiencing a significant increase in the volume of items received into their network due to the aid assistance they are providing to bordering Ukraine. Poland Post is continuing to process and deliver items as soon as possible however, due to the increased volumes, delays are to be expected. Ongoing (issue start date: unknown)
Saudi Arabia – The delivery of mail and parcels to Saudi Arabia is experiencing delays due to lack of processing capacity at Saudi Post. Expected delays: 1-2 weeks. Ongoing (issue start date: unknown)
Saudi Arabia – It has been advised that, with immediate effect, Saudi Arabian Customs has introduced some changes for all Non-Document shipments sent to Saudi Arabia. All B2C shipments that contain materials other than documents/printed matter will require the Consignee’s ID number. Where this is not provided, the parcel may be delayed in clearing customs until the ID number is obtained from the consignee. All B2B shipments of non-document materials will require a Commercial Registration Form from the consignee. This will be requested from the consignee when arriving in the country and upon receipt of the form, the parcel can be cleared through customs. Ongoing (issue start date: 15/04/16)
Slovenia – Mail and parcels to and from Slovenia are expected to be delayed due to heavy rainfall and floods in the north and north-east of Slovenia. Expected delays: 5-7 days. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/08/23)
Somalia – All mail services to Somalia are currently suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 11/11/19)
Sudan – We have been informed that due to the domestic situation in the country, all mail services to this destination are suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 17/04/23)
Syria – We have been informed that due to the domestic situation in the country, all mail services to this destination remain suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 08/10/18)
Tanzania – All mail/cargo going to DAR is embargoed until further notice. Ongoing (issue start date: 30/04/18)
Turkey – The Turkish Post Office (Turkish PTT Corporation) has stated that as a result of the two earthquakes that hit the southern and south-eastern regions of the country on 6th February 2023, the Turkish government has declared a state of emergency with effect from 8th February 2023. These devastating earthquakes have caused buildings to collapse and significant disruption to transport and travel in the affected areas. The most severely affected cities are Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye and Şanlıurfa, as well as the surrounding districts and villages. This has had, and will have, a major impact on operations and, consequently, on the quality of service for all types of inbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) and significant delays are likely in the affected areas. Ongoing (issue start date: 06/02/23)
Ukraine – Delivery of mail to Ukraine is suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 18/03/14 – updated 01/03/22)
UAE – We have been informed that the UAE customs authorities are reducing the Duty threshold from AED 1000 to AED 300 effective January 1st 2023. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/01/23)
Yemen – All mail services to Yemen have now been suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/03/15)
Upcoming Public Holidays
August 28th – Georgia, India (regional), Various (August Bank Holiday)
August 29th – India (regional), Slovakia
August 30th – East Timor, India (regional), Kazakhstan, Pakistan (regional), Peru, Sri Lanka, Turkey
August 31st – Afghanistan, India (Regional), Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Nepal (regional), Trinidad & Tobago, Various (Raksha Bandhan)
September 1st – Eritrea, Slovakia, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
September 2nd – Spain (regional), Vietnam
September 3rd – Costa Rica, San Marino, Senegal, Vietnam (Government holiday), Various (Father’s Day)
September 4th – Bermuda, Canada, Eswatini, India (regional), Vietnam (Government holiday), Various (Labour Day)
September 5th – Albania
September 6th – Bangladesh, Bonaire, St. Eustatius & Saba (regional), Bulgaria, Eswatini, India, Iran, Sao Tome & Principe
September 7th – Brazil, India (regional), Mozambique,Nigeria (regional), Pakistan (regional) Switzerland (regional)
September 8th – Andorra, India (regional), Liechstenstein, Malta, North Macedonia, Nigeria (regional), Spain
September 9th – India (regional), North Korea, Philippines (regional), Tajikistan
September 10th – India (regional), Maldives (Government holiday)
September 11th – Belize, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gibraltar, Spain (regional), Switzerland (regional)
September 14th – Bolivia (regional), Iran, Nicaragua
September 15th – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Papua Nw Guinea, Slovakia, Spain (regional)
September 16th – India (regional), Iran, Israel, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts & Nevis
September 17th – Angola, Israel, Switzerland (regional)
September 18th – Chile, India (regional), Japan, Nepal, Switzerland (regional), Tonga
September 19th – Chile, India (regional), Italy (regional), Saint Kitts & Nevis
September 20th – Bhutan (regional), Germany (regional), Haiti, India (regional), Mauritius, Nepal
September 21st – Armenia, Belize, Ghana, Malta
