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 delivery but in some instances we have experienced delays to the processing and/or delivery of UK mailings as a result of high volumes in the network and COVID measures that have been in place by Royal Mail and other UK suppliers. We will update accordingly should the situation change and you can also access the latest UK service updates from Royal Mail here.
NB. Royal Mail have made some changes to how they hand over both Special Delivery & Signed-For items in order to minimise contact during the delivery process. You can find the details here. Other UK carriers such as DPD have implemented similar processes for their signed products and the equivalent advice can be found on the relevant carriers website. Should you need any further information on this then contact our client services team at [email protected] and they will endeavour to assist you.
International Service Updates
COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) UPDATE – Please refer to our dedicated web page which covers the impacts of the Coronavirus on the processing, transport and delivery of mail and related items. You can find this page from both our news and service updates pages.
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].
Australia – Due to high volumes and backlogs in the processing and delivery of mail/parcels, we have have been informed that delays of 1 to 4 days (depending on region) may be experienced. This is on top of any potential COVID-19 related impact to linehaul and transport. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/09/20)
Belgium – We have been informed that the volumes at Belgium Post (Bpost) is handling in their sorting centers have drastically surpassed the forecast and they are currently facing some delays. transport. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/11/20)
Brazil – From the 18th August the Brazilian postal operator Correios is dealing with strike action in several areas of the country. Correios have accordingly activated their Business Continuity Plan with the objective of minimizing the impact on operations. The following areas are currently affected by the strike action:
– Amazonas
– Bahia
– Distrito Federal
– Espirito Santo
– Minas Gerais
– Parana – Piaui
– Rio de Janeiro
– Sao Paulo.
Please also be aware that due to new customs regulations, there were already delays in processing mail being received into the country. We will update as and when we receive additional information. Ongoing (issue start date: 18/08/20)
Canada – Canada post have advised that several severe cases of COVID- 19 have been confirmed in one of their main Toronto processing hubs. This has resulted in a temporary closure following guidance by the Regional Health authority to contain the further spread of the virus at this time. Due to this situation, disruption to normal operations and reduced processing capacity along with clearance within their customs operations are to be expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/01/21)
Canada – We have been informed that due to a reduction in flights by Air Canada, there is currently a lack of capacity to the usual entry points for mail sent to Canada. Alternative flights and entry points may therefore need to be used and this could result in a delay of up-to 7 working days on top of any other delays current being experienced. Ongoing (issue start date: 22/12/20)
Canada – Restricted access to flights and capacity issues at the only available Canada Post entry point (airport) are causing significant disruption. These factors combined with peak volumes and COVID-19 prevention measures have resulted in backlogs locally at Canada Post and to some extent Canadian customs. Subsequently, many suppliers are reporting potentially heavy delays. We will update as and when we receive further information. Ongoing (issue start date: unknown)
Cayman Islands – All postal services to the Cayman Islands have been suspended as of 6th November 2020 due to tropical Storm Eta. Delivery will resume once the situation has improved with delays of 4-7 working days expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 06/11/20)
China – China Post reports delays due to the flooding of the Yangtze river. Due to these extreme weather conditions, the collection, delivery and transportation of all inbound and outbound international mail products to and from Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Guangxi, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Zhejiang and Guizhou provinces is subject to disruption, and the processing, transportation and delivery of inbound items to those provinces may be delayed. The expected delay being reported to the areas mentioned above is currently 7-14 days. Ongoing (issue start date: 17/07/20)
Croatia – We have been informed that owing to an earthquake on 29th December 2020 in the region of the cities Petrinja and Sisak, some 50 km SE of Zagreb, the Croatian government has declared a state of emergency. Given this state of emergency, Croatian Post Inc. has established extraordinary measures for post offices within the affected areas (listed below) and these measures include:
• Extension of the delivery period by five working days;
• If items are undeliverable as a result of damage caused by the earthquake, and the new address of the addressee is unknown to the postal worker, they will be returned to the sender. The postal worker will mark such items “povrat zbog potresa” (“return owing to the earthquake”);
• If the addressee’s phone number is known, the postal worker will attempt to contact the addressee in order to deliver the mail item
44103 Sisak, 44104 Sisak, 44105 Sisak, 44201 Martinska Ves, 44202 Topolovac, 44203 Gušće, 44210 Sunja, 44272 Lekenik, 44273 Sela, 44250 Petrinja, 44253 Mošćenica, 44400 Glina, 44410 Vrginmost, 44415 Topusko, 44430 Hrvatska Kostajnica, 44440 Dvor, and 44450 Hrvatska Dubica. Ongoing (issue start date: 04/01/21)
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)
France – Due to heavy snowfall in France, delays can be expected for the collection and delivery of all products & networks in some areas in the northwest of the country (zip codes: 22, 29, 35, 50, 53, 56, 61, 72, 77, 78, 91, 95.) Once the weather conditions improve, the delivery will be back on track. Ongoing (issue start date: 11/02/21)
Germany – Due to heavy snowfall in Germany, potential delays can be expected for the collection and delivery of all products & networks in the north and east of the country. Once the weather conditions improve, the delivery will be back on track. Ongoing (issue start date: 11/02/21)
Greece – Due to industrial action of air traffic control personnel, participating in general strike proclaimed by the supreme administration of Greek civil servants trade unions October the 15th, flights destined/departing to/from Greek airports will be affected. The air traffic control personnel have announced the following work suspensions:
– October the 18th from 13:30 – 18:30 (local time) and
– October the 19th from 07:30 – 12:30 (local time)
These actions will affect both international and domestic mail dispatch and delivery. Ongoing (issue start date: 18/10/20)
Indonesia – An earthquake has hit Sulawesi Island, affecting the areas of Mamuju and Majene. As a result, there has been physical damage to facilities and public services are disrupted. Furthermore, heavy rain in the Central Java and West Java provinces has caused floods, which are affecting postal operations. Delays are therefore to be expected in the processing and delivery of letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items. The following postcode areas are affected (as of 9 February 2021): – West Java province Subang: 412xx Indramayu: 452xx Majalengka: 454xx – Central Java province Semarang: 500xx Pekalongan : 511xx Pati: 591xx Demak: 595xx Kudus: 593xx – West Sulawesi province Majene: 914xx Mamuju: 915xx. Ongoing (issue start date: 09/02/21)
Ireland – For destination Ireland, we have been informed that Anpost (the Irish Post Office) have requested that some suppliers hold back volume due to high volumes within the Irish postal system. requested us to hold our volumes from last Friday, the 27th of November. Because of this, we have been told to expect potential delays of 3-6 days on top what has been previously communicated. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/11/20)
Italy -The workers union Cobas has called for a nation-wide logistical strike to take place Monday the 8th of March in Italy. Additional delays of 1-2 days can be expected for all products to this destination on top of earlier communicated delays related to the Covid-19 restrictions. Please be aware that Covid-19 related delays can be significant in Italy and can can measure up to 28 days. Poste Italiane is working together with customs to improve the transit times. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/03/21)
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)
Macao – The designated operator of Macao, China, Macao Post, informs that the Nangka tropical storm, which triggered a No. 8 typhoon signal between 5.40 and 19.40 on 13 October 2020, has had an impact on quality of service. All inbound and outbound letter-post, parcel-post and EMS services were affected. Ongoing (issue start date: 13/10/20)
Mexico – All The designated operator of MEXICO, Correos de México, wishes to inform the designated operators of other Union member countries of new measures to strengthen import controls, in accordance with article 19 of the UPU Convention and article 3.7.1 of the General Rules of Foreign Trade of Mexico. These measures prohibit items in powder form, pharmaceutical products (pills, troches, tablets, granules, capsules and lozenges), and whey or serum proteins of animal origin. For a complete list of prohibited items, please consult
www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5545378&fecha=30/11/2018 (Spanish only). In addition, importers of food supplements require a licence in the form of a health certificate issued by the Government of Mexico. Further information regarding this certificate can be found at www.gob.mx/cofepris/acciones-y-programas/registrossanitarios-89343 (Spanish only). In the case of items already in the possession of Correos de México, commercial senders are requested to ask the addressees to comply with the applicable health regulation requirements. Ongoing (issue start date: 15/07/19)
Netherlands – Due to very high volumes of parcels in the network, deliveries may be delayed by upto 7 days. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/11/20)
Saudi Arabia – Saudi Post wishes to inform that effective 1st January 2018, a value-added tax (VAT) of 5% will be applied to the total value of each individual item/waybill entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to be paid by the consignee. This includes, without exception, all commodities being sent to Saudi Arabia, regardless of their purpose. It is therefore essential that each shipment provide clear and precise commodity details, including the name of the product/commodity and the total value under each item/waybill (preferably in USD). Ongoing (issue start date: 01/01/18)
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)
Slovakia – Due to heavy snowfall in Slovakia, potential delays can be expected for the collection and delivery of all products & networks in the north and east of the country. Once the weather conditions improve, the delivery will be back on track. Ongoing (issue start date: 11/02/21)
Somalia – All mail services to Somalia are currently suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 11/11/19)
South Africa – Poor service continues to be observed for all mail into South Africa. A significant part of the delay is the time between the mail arriving in South Africa and being delivered to the recipient. While improvements have been made and delivery times reduced, increased mail volumes have created bottlenecks in processing. Ongoing (issue start date: 12/08/19)
Spain – Due to the extreme weather conditions and due to the heavy snowfall, the collection and delivery of mail is affected throughout the Spanish territory. The Barajas Exchange Office (where all mail arriving in Spain is received) along with the Airport vhas been closed since Friday, January 8th. Over the next week it is anticipated that activity will increase with mail processing returning to normal towards the end of the week. Ongoing (issue start date: 08/01/21)
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)
Taiwan – Please be aware due to a Customs regulation change by Taiwanese customs, all nationals are now required to be registered with Customs in order to receive the shipments. This can be done via two methods: 1) Through a mobile app called EzWay 2) Through the Customs website. The recipient will only need to register once with customs, please note failure to do this may lead to customs delays or returns. More information can be found on the website: https://etaipei.customs.gov.tw/. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/01/20)
Ukraine – Delivery of mail for the Crimea and Sevastopol (postal codes 95000 – 99999) regions remains suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 18/03/14)
USA – The impact of peak volumes and limited availability/capacity of United States Postal Service entry points (at US airports) appears to be causing significant delays. Some of our suppliers are reporting that these delays could potentially run into a number of weeks. These delays affect both mail and parcel volumes. In addition, it is being reported that for tracked mail to the USA, not all initial scans in the USA are being done by the USPS. This means that some tracking events/info may be missing until they are sorted in the domestic centers of USPS.. Ongoing (issue start date: unknown)
Yemen – All mail services to Yemen have now been suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/03/15)
Upcoming Public Holidays
March 1st – Australia (regional), Bosnia (regional), British Virgin Islands , Guam, Moldova, Paraguay, Romania, South Korea, Spain (regional), Switzerland (regional), Taiwan
March 2nd – Anguilla, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, USA (regional – Government only)
March 3rd – Bulgaria, East Timor, Georgia, Malawi
March 4th – Guadeloupe, Malaysia (regional)
March 5th – French Polynesia, India (regional), Vanuatu
March 6th – Ghana
March 8th – Australia (regional), Belize, Ghana, New Zealand (regional), Turks & Caicos Islands, Various (Int. Women’s Day)
March 10th – Liberia
March 11th – Lesotho, Lithuania, Various (Israa & Miaraj Night, Maha Shivratri)
March 12th – Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan (regional), Zambia
March 13th – Nepal (regional), Spain (regional), Vatican City
March 14th – Albania, Andorra, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Various (Mothering Sunday)
March 15th – Albania, Canada (regional government only), Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Liberia, Mexico, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
March 16th – Philippines (regional)
March 17th – Bangladesh, Various (St. Patrick’s Day)
March 18th – Aruba, Comoros
March 19th – Various (Father’s Day, St. Joseph’s Day)
March 20th – Azerbaijan, Iran, Japan, Tunisia
March 21st – Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Namibia, South Africa, Syria, Various (Novruz)
