International Incident Bulletin

Last updated: 20th of December 2024

 

Welcome to our international incident bulletin; a roundup of any issues that may be impacting our parcel and letter services to and from countries around the world. We keep this information as up to date as possible, with information supplied to Royal Mail by the various foreign national postal authorities.

Service Update

Export

Customers sending items requiring a customs declaration (such as goods or gifts) internationally should purchase postage online, through shipping solutions or over the counter at Post Office branches rather than using Postage Stamps or Meters.    

In addition to the Tracking information available through the Royal Mail website, senders and recipients may be able to access additional tracking information on the destination posts webpages.

Import

Import operations continue to perform a full service.  
 

Import Control System 2 (ICS2) 

ICS2 is a regulatory change required by the EU, focused on continuing to improve the security of parcels shipped internationally. It allows customs authorities to identify items which may require control earlier in the supply chain and take the appropriate action. Sending countries must provide the required parcel/customs information. This means that any item that requires a customs declaration (including gifts, samples, goods and other categories) must have the relevant customs documentation attached and associated Electronic Data must also be supplied. You can use an approved Royal Mail or Third-Party Shipping Solution where this is captured so you can continue exporting with the required compliant electronic data. From the 1st July 2023 any items containing goods that do not have mandatory data fields completed will be at risk of being delayed, returned, or even destroyed. Please see here or here for more information.
 

Recently Updated

  • South Africa 
  • Israel 
  • Iceland
  • Japan
  • New Caledonia 
  • Lebanon
  • USA
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Spain
  • Haiti
  • Malaysia
  • Italy
  • Ireland
  • Thailand
  • Canada
  • France (Mayotte)

 

Start date: 9 August 2021
Latest update: 23 August 2021
End date: Ongoing
Incident: No available route

Original Incident
There is currently no route to Afghanistan as carriers have cancelled flights since Monday 16th August 2021.

Start date: 28 September 2024
Latest update: 7 October 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Flooding

Bosnia Post have informed us that heavy rainfall has led to floods in parts of the country resulting in the Government declaring a state of natural disaster.

The flooding has caused major logistical disruption, with road closures and has direct impacts on postal infrastructure so delays are likely during this period.

Start date: 15 November 2024
Latest update: 20 December 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Industrial Action

Canada Post have advised us that operations will resume as of Tuesday 17th December which brings an end to strike action that began on Friday 15th November.

Canada Post’s priority is to clear all the items that have been securely stored during the strike. They have also advised that they will not be in a position to accept new International items from any other country until at least Monday 23rd December.

Royal Mail services to Canada will remain on suspend until backlogs are cleared and airlines begin accepting International items for Canada. 

Canada Post has also advised that customers should still expect significant delivery delays through the remainder of 2024 and into January 2025 

We are in regular communication with Canada Post and will share updates as we receive them. 

Start date: 28 August 2023
Latest Update: 31 August 2023
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Infrequent Despatch

Please note that customers currently using our Tracked Heavier services to The Falklands may experience delays. Dispatch is infrequent and longer transit times should be expected. This will also effect the tracking events which you may typically expect to see as part of this service. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Start date: 7 December 2024
Latest update: 19 December 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Cyclone Chido

La Poste of France have informed us that the infrastructure in Mayotte (postcode 976xx) has been severely impacted by the passage of Cyclone Chido.

As the airport is not currently operational, the shipment and delivery of all mail items are suspended until repairs can be undertaken.

The shipment of letter and parcel post to the Comoros via Mayotte is also suspended.

Start date: 10 November 2024
Latest update: 20 November 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Service Suspension

Due to the situation in the region currently and a number of flight cancellations we are not currently able to accept traffic for this destination.

Any items already posted and in the pipeline will be returned to sender.

Start date: 6 November 2023
Latest Update: 6 June 2024
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Earthquake and Volcanic Activity / Storm

Earthquake and Volcanic Activity

Icelandic Post have advised that a new volcanic eruption started just north of Grindavik in the Reykjanes peninsula on Sunday 14th January 2024.

It is deemed likely that more eruptions will occur around the town in the coming weeks, hence It is unlikely that habitants will be allowed to return to live in Grindavik in the coming weeks or months.

Iceland Post has not delivered mail in the Grindavik area since the original evacuation 13th of November 2023 and due to the area being uninhabitable it seems unlikely it will be possible to deliver mail in Grindavik in the near future. We will provide any further updates on this as they become available.

Start date: 16 September 2021
Latest Update: 17 December 2024
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Customs Delays / Storm Darragh 

Our service to Ireland is operating as normal. Items that require the payment of import taxes may take longer to be delivered as this is required before items are released from Irish customs.

Please note: Delivered Duties Unpaid items sent to Ireland are handled as follows:

•Where a mobile number and /or email is provided, the recipient will receive a text and / or email and a letter with the amount of tax to pay plus An Post’s processing fee.
•Where just the address has been provided, the recipient will receive a letter.

In both situations the recipient will receive instructions on how to pay and will have 16 working days to make the payment before the item is returned. The pay by date is included in the customer notification.All items are held in the Dublin Mail Centre Campus before being released, once payment is received. If payment is not received by the payment due date or the customer rejects the item then it is returned to sender.

IOSS HS Code Restrictions
The Irish Custom authority have notified us that they have relaxed their import controls on certain goods and HS codes. Customers sending items to Ireland via IOSS are advised to check the latest restricted HS Tariff codes implemented by Irish Customs. To access the list of restricted HS Tariff codes, please visit our Ireland Page.

Storm Darragh

An Post have informed us that Storm Darragh impacted airline and ferry services on both inbound and outbound traffic since the 6th December also causing damage at Holyhead Port. 

As a result delays are expected to continue until after Christmas.

Start date: 2 October 2023
Latest Update: 22 February 2024
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Security Situation

Security Situation

As a result of the current situation in Israel we are experiencing delays with many flight cancellations. This is a fluid situation and may change at short notice. Throughout the country, the retention period for unclaimed items has been extended to 30 days. All items are subject to delay and we will continue to provide updates as we receive them. 

Please note at this time, we are unable to accept items addressed to Gaza or Khan Yunis and The West Bank.

Start date: 2 December 2024
Latest update: 20 December 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Cyber Incident

Poste Italiane have informed us that systems at its airmail provider have been subject to a cyber-incident on 4th of December.

As a result, Milan Malpensa, Linate, and Rome Fiumicino airports are affected. We are continuing to export but customers should expect delays as a result.

We are in regular contact with Italy and will provide further updates as they become available. 

Start date: 2 January 2024
Affecting postings from: 13th June 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Earthquake

Japan Post have updated that the situation has now improved after the impact of the earthquake in January but there is still a lot of rubble in certain areas which continues to effect their operation.

The postcode areas which remain affected are 9270000 – 9299999 and delays may be experienced as result.

Start date: 2 July 2021
Latest Update: 26 June 2023
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Infrequent Service

Please note this service is infrequent and therefore customers should expect items to take between 2-3 months to reach their final destination.

Start date: 16 September 2024
Latest update: 15 October 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Delays

Lebanon Post have informed us that it has entered a state of war since the 19th September 2024 with many flight cancellations and road closures.

This is a fluid situation and whilst we continue to export to the country, this could change at short notice. Whilst the post is trying to maintain service, the scope of impact cannot be fully determined at present and delays will likely be observed throughout this period.

Start date: 25 November 2024
Latest update: 2 December 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Flooding

Malaysian Post have informed us that heavy rains and massive flooding has severely affected the postal network with a number of post offices closed. A number of roads are inaccessible to traffic, delaying the delivery of all mail types.

The most affected states at present are TERENGGANU, KEDAH and KELANTAN where delays can be observed. Further updates by the post can be accessed at: www.pos.com.my/news-info/service-update.

Start date: 24 February 2022
Latest Update: 27 February 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Airspace availability

Due to the situation in neighbouring Ukraine, we have been advised that Moldovan airspace is closed. We have an alternative route in place, however as this is a non-direct route please be advised that there may be short delays to the delivery of your item.

Start date: 1 May 2024
Latest update: 9 October 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Civil Unrest

New Caledonia Post have updated us that it has now resumed postal activities and is able to dispatch and receive international postal items. The case of force majeure has now been closed from 16 July 2024.

However, deliveries are still being impacted due to difficulties in unsecured areas of the territory, namely postcode areas 98809, 98889, 98831 with road traffic still being disrupted at regular intervals and delays may be experienced. 

Start date: 28 February 2022
Latest Update: 23 July 2024
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Service availability

We are still despatching postal items to Russia. We are continually monitoring the situation and will provide an update if there are any changes to our service moving forward.

No service since October 1991.

Start date: 1 October 2023
Latest update: 1 November 2023
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Delays

Please note that customers currently using our services to South Africa may experience delays. We are continuing to export as normal however are aware of extended processing times locally at present. We will provide further updates as they become available.

Start date: 24 October 2024
Latest update: 2 December 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Torrential Rain

The Spanish Postal service have informed us that the most affected areas currently remain in the province of Valencia (46XXX) where there has been significant damage and transport locally continues to be difficult.

Work is being done to restore a full mail operation but in some areas this remains difficult and delays are to be expected.

Start date: 5th July 2023
Affecting Postings: 12th April 2023
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Service Suspension

Restrictions on this route continue to be challenging owing to civil unrest in the country and as a result a full service suspension is now in place. Any items currently held in OEs are expected to be returned to sender. 

No service since December 2012.

Start date: 10 December 2024
Latest update: 17 December 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Flooding

Thai Post have informed us that heavy rain in the southern part of Thailand has caused flooding in certain areas.

Blocked roads are causing delays in transporting and delivering all mail items in postcode areas 80XXX and 84107 and delays should be expected.

Start date: 24 February 2022
Latest update: 4 September 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Service Availability

We continue to make regular mail despatch to Ukraine via our Postal Partners. In the absence of air transport, they have rebuilt their international logistics network using road line haul and trains to convey postal items to, and from airports outside of Ukraine. In areas without active hostilities, all Ukrposhta post offices will remain open. Sorting facilities are equipped with electricity generators to ensure uninterrupted work and maintain normal customs and sorting procedures. However, operationally delays are still likely to be experienced until further notice.

No mail service to Donets 83-87, Luhansk 91-94 Crimea 95-98 and Sevestapol 99 since 2014.

Start date: 4 October 2024
Latest update: 31 October 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Hurricane Milton

USPS have informed us that the majority of postal operations have now returned to normal after Hurricane Helene & Milton.

However, postal operations continue to be disrupted in the following postcode areas:

27006–28909 (North Carolina)
38501–38589 (Tennessee)
30401–30999 and 31501–31699 (Georgia)
33501–34997 (Florida)

A force majeure continues to apply to the above areas until further notice and delays are expected 

No service since March 2015.