Feb. 26, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. ET
Winter storm Rocky
The U.S. Postal Service is tracking the development of winter storm Rocky. We will post information on mail service disruptions as they occur.
These real-time mail service updates are designed to make mailers aware of service suspensions at Post Offices for any reason, including natural disasters, such as floods or fires. The USPS Business Customer Support and Service office, BSN HQ communications manager, maintains this information.
Current updates:
National mail service disruption report PDF | Excel
Delivery Unit Drop Shipments:
Click here for a complete list of Delivery Units that are not accepting drop shipments at this time.
Hurricane Sandy
USPS continues to monitor the long-term effects of Hurricane Sandy and is working with local municipalities as they continue to recover from the storm.
Delivery: All areas have 100% delivery through normal or alternate modes.
Processing center drop shipments: All mail processing facilities have resumed normal drop-shipment schedules.
Remittance Mail: All remittance and caller service operations have returned to normal.
Hurricane Isaac
Louisiana: remaining impacts from Hurricane Isaac, October 2012
Impacted office | ZIP | Alternate office | ZIP |
Braithwaite, LA | 70040 | Saint Bernard, LA | 70085 |
Customers with questions about mail delivery and other retail services in their area can telephone the Postal Service at 800-ASK-USPS (800-275-8777).
Live animals
The United States Postal Service informs that effective immediately and until further notice, LIVES are not to be assigned on the air network for destinating sites PHX and LAS. Per Domestic Mail Manual 601 Mailability, section 9.3.11 Acceptance, “USPS does not accept any shipment of animals that the USPS reasonably believes cannot reach its destination in a viable condition. Such a determination is based on factors including the expected temperatures (weather conditions) while the shipment is in the mail; the types of vehicles on which the shipment is to be transported; the expected transit time; and the types of packaging used for protection against suffocation, crushing, and handling.”
International mail service
Lithium battery shipping regulations
U.S. Postal Service acceptance of international lithium battery shipments
The Postal Service worked with the International Civil Aviation Organization, the Universal Postal Union and the Federal Aviation Authority to secure changes needed to allow international mail shipments containing lithium batteries to begin Nov. 15, 2012.
The changes allow specific quantities of lithium batteries, when installed in the equipment they are intended to operate, to be sent to many international destinations, including APO, FPO and DPO locations, when permitted by the destination or host country.
Germany’s and Italy’s postal operators won’t accept packages containing lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries destined to German addresses. This does not apply to shipments to and from APO, FPO and DPO locations in Germany.
USPS postal employees will decline shipments of electronic items containing lithium batteries addressed to Germany and Italy.
Items that can be shipped include: cameras, video cameras, mobile/smart phones, Bluetooth headsets, laptop computers, shavers, portable DVD players, tablets, two-way radios, GPS devices and most other small electronic devices requiring lithium batteries to operate.
Items that can’t be shipped include lithium batteries not installed in the equipment they are intended to operate. In addition, when installed, they may not exceed the quantity or limits defined in the International Mail Manual or Domestic Mail Manual.
USPS postal employees have been instructed on package acceptance and customs label declaration procedures.
Rules for domestic shipments of packages containing lithium batteries, and electronic devices containing lithium batteries remain unchanged.
Currently, U.S. customers can’t take international and APO, FPO, DPO mail containing lithium batteries to Village Post Offices, Contract Postal Units, commercial mail receiving agents or approved shippers.
The Federal Register final rule, and IMM, DMM and Publication 52 revisions, are available at pe.usps.com.
Australia
The Australian Post reports that as of Feb. 3, all problems with the EDI system have been resolved. |
Honduras
Honduras Post has informed that the Government has declared a state of national emergency, as a result of the heavy rains that have been falling in the country since Oct. 10. The rain is expected to continue over the next few days, and postal services may be affected. |
Netherlands
The PostNL has reported that EDI messages have not been sent out since 4:00 p.m. June 14. They are working to restore services as soon as possible. Once services are restored, missed messages from June 14 will be sent. |
Turkey
Turkish Post reports that the serious earthquake on 23 October 2011 has disrupted mail operations, and delays in deliveries of letter, parcel and EMS items to Van and Erciþ are expected. The Turkish Post will keep designated operators informed of the situation via EmIS. Turkish Post has advised that the forwarding of letters and parcels by airmail or S.A.L. from Turkey to Libya has been suspended. Any such items received will be returned to the country of origin. Turkish Post will not provide any open or closed transit services on behalf of third countries until further notice. |
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Belgium
As reported by the Belgium Post, the International Post Corporation (IPC) was advised by GXS, that a technical issue on a server prevents access to the ESU system. GXS is working on the problem. Belgium Post reports that the trade unions have announced a national strike for Jan. 30. The road transport federations may also take part in this strike. As a result of the impending strike, a number of industrial estates and strategic roads will be blocked. Road access to Belgium's OE's is not guaranteed, and outbound transport from Brussels EMC (BEBRUA) is likely to be disturbed. Mail delivery in Belgium will be heavily affected by this strike. |
Hungary
The Hungarian Post reports that the MRD (Mail Registration Device) application has been successfully installed and has now been operating since Aug. 1. All handlers at Budapest Liszt Ference Airport are using it in a full production mode set-up. The expectation is that the coverage of handovers by MRD scans will improve gradually. |
Peru
The Peruvian Post reports that Serpost S.A. has been affected by strike action since July 17, resulting in a disruption of all services countrywide (inbound and outbound mail). The collective bargaining process is in the final stages, and a solution should be forthcoming. |
Uruguay
As reported by Uruguay Post, in regard to the indefinite suspension of Pluna airline flights; through the use of other airlines, the problem concerning air transport have been resolved as of Aug. 9. |
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Britain
As reported by the Royal Post, dispatches from HWDC and Coventry Parcelforce, Great Britain, will be as follows: Outbound:
Inbound:
The Royal Post has reported the following changes. Affective immediately, all LC/AO items for delivery in Great Britain should now be addressed to IMPC code "GBLALA" address "LANGLEY HWDC". (US exception follows below) Affective immediately, the following OEs currently dispatching packet (AO) mail to GBLONB - MOUNT PLEASANT are now asked to dispatch to GBLALA - LANGLEY HWDC.
US Exception:
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India
India Post has reported that on Oct. 18 at 6:10 PM, an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck the state of Sikkim and other parts of northeastern India. This was followed by two more quakes of lower intensity during the night of Oct. 18 and Oct. 19, as well as incessant rain and landslides in the hilly areas of Sikkim and Darjeeling Dist (West Bengal). Postal services in these areas have been disrupted as a result, as has the transmission of EDI messages. India Post will notify of changes in the situation |
Philippines
The Philippine Post reports, that as a result of tropical depression Sendong (international codename: Washi) between Dec. 15 and Dec. 18, 31 municipalities and 8 cities in the 13 provinces of the Philippines suffered damage. As reported by the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council, some roads and bridges in the impacted areas are open only intermittently, or are impassable or barely passable for vehicles. The transport of all classes of inbound international mail may be rerouted or temporarily discontinued until the main network of roads in the impacted areas reopen. These conditions will result in delivery delays in impacted areas, until situations return to normal. The following municipalities and cities were affected:
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Zimbabwe
As reported by Zimbabwe Post, the Zimbabwe Posts has reported that due to difficulties encountered in migrating to version 5.11, Zimbabwe Posts has reverted to IPS version 4.24. Normal services have been restored on the 4.24 platform. Zimbabwe Posts will advise when version 5.11 has been successfully implemented. |
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Costa Rica
Costa Rica Post has informed that the territory of Costa Rica is suffering the effects of extreme weather, which could delay the delivery of mail to various regions of the country. This situation could continue for at least two weeks, as the extreme weather and flooding has damaged the country's road network. The management of Correos de Costa Rica is making every effort to minimize any disruption to postal communications. Costa Rica Post has informed that the Government of Costa Rica has postponed the public holiday scheduled for Oct12 (“Encuentro de Culturas”) until Oct17. As a result, letters, parcels and EMS will not be delivered on Oct17. Correos de Costa Rica apologizes to its customers for any inconvenience caused by this government decision. |
Ireland
The Dublin Post has reported a shortage of blue International Letter Post Bags. They are kindly requesting that all countries return these bags to Dublin OE without delay. |
Poland
The Polska Post reports that the Office of Exchange of Warszawa WER is experiencing a temporary shortage of red labels used for UR dispatches. As a temporary fix, the OE Warszawa WER may use red or blue replacement labels. |
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Denmark
As reported by the Denmark Post, a strike among the Security Staff in Copenhagen Airport started Mar. 15 at 5:00 a.m., and ended at 8:30 a.m. During this time, Denmark could not tender any outbound mail to aircrafts. As a result, a substantial amount of export priority mail will be delayed, but is expected to be cleared by the end of the day. |
Japan
Japan Post has informed member countries of the following updated information regarding the impact on postal services of the Pacific Ocean earthquake off the Tohoku region coast and the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident:
Additional information is available at |
Portugal
The Correios Post has reports a strike of the Air Traffic Controllers is underway. The strike is taking place 7–9 a.m., April 12–13, 19–20, and 26. Due to delays and/or cancellation of flights, the regular flow of outbound mail from Portugal may be affected. Mail to Portugal will not be delayed. |
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France
As reported by France Post, The Office of Exchange of Mitry-Mory (FRMIME) is planned to close in gradual phases. Effective Feb. 25, 2013, all non-priority inbound letter mail by air (mail class B) with final destination FRMIME will be handled in Roissy-en-France Charles De Gaulle Airport (FRCDGA). Modify destination IMPC codes accordingly and route this mail to FRCDGA. The France Post will keep members informed of the next steps in the closing of FRMIME. |
Kenya
As reported by the Kenyan Post, Kenyan postal workers began an industrial action on Dec. 16. This action will result in delays of inbound and outbound mail delivery. |
Rwanda
The relocation of its central services and mail processing center from the Kacyiru district to central Kigali that began May 23 is still underway, causing delays in the processing of mail and parcel delivery. Track and trace operations are not being performed at the normal rate. The EMS call center has temporarily suspended operations. Also, prompt replies to Rugby System messages is not possible. The relocation also has disrupted telephone and fax connections. Communications by mobile telephone and email still is possible. |
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Germany
The Deutsche Post reports that on Sept. 7, the Independent Flight Attendants Organization (UFO) called for cabin crews to strike against Lufthansa (LH). This lead to massive flight delays and cancellations. The Independent Flight Attendants Organization (UFO) and Lufthansa (LH) signed a preliminary agreement to halt the strike until an arbitrator's ruling. Lufthansa resumed normal flight operations by Sept. 9. LH Cargo freighter services were not affected by the strike, and operated as scheduled on Sept. 7, 8, and 9. All LH Cargo shipments affected by flight cancellations were loaded onto the next available flight. |
Libya
Effective immediately, all U.S. Postal Service locations cannot accept any mail addressed to recipients in Libya. This suspension affects Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG®), Express Mail International®, Priority Mail International®, First-Class Mail International®, International Priority Airmail™ (IPA®), International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®), and M-Bag items. Mail addressed to Libya that has already been accepted by the Postal Service — other than items already at an International Service Center — will be returned. Upon request, the Postal Service will refund postage and fees on items returned due to the temporary suspension of service. Items already at an International Service Center may be returned or held for dispatch in accordance with USPS policy once service is restored |
Sint Maarten
The industrial action preventing mail delivery to the island ended Oct. 6, 2012. All operations are normal. |
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Greece
The Greek Post reports that the Confederation of Greek Workers have announced a 24-hour strike beginning Wed. Feb. 20th, 2013. The air traffic controllers have also announced two, four-hour work stoppages that same day; the first from 6:00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and the second from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (local time). These actions will affect both international and domestic mail collection and delivery. |
Luxembourg
The Luxembourg Post reports that due to an IT crash on Sept. 5, receptacles booked on the IPC Sprinter did not receive a transit scan in Luxembourg. Mail was loaded and shipped with initial documents. Concerning Luxembourg dispatches on the Sprinters, PREDES messages were sent after the system was restored. EMSEVT messages were not affected. |
Spain
The Correos Post has reported the closure of all international operations in Barcelona OE (IMPC codes ESBCNB and ESBCNC) on June 25. Outbound volumes from ESBCNB and ESBCNC will gradually decrease beginning the week of June 18, with the final dispatch expected to be sent on June 23. From June 23, the OE in MADRID (ESMADB) will process all outbound mail, concentrating completely on all processing tasks. Correos remains committed to quality of outbound service and is expected to maintain the same level of existing service. |
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Guatemala
As reported by Guatemala Post, Union member countries have had heavy rain storms since Oct. 13, leading to landslides, swelling of the main rivers, and the destruction of bridges. The storms have caused major damage to key roads and a number of Correo de Guatemala offices in these areas. Access is not impossible but it is very difficult, and significant delays in mail deliveries are to be expected. As a result, mail collection and delivery is suffering disruption in the following areas:
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Malta
MaltaPost p.l.c. has advised that the forwarding of letters and parcels from Malta to Libya has been suspended MaltaPost p.l.c. will not provide open or closed transit services on behalf of third countries until further notice. Any such items will be returned to the country of origin, including mail already en route to Malta or currently in possession of carriers within Malta. |
Syria
Syrian Post reports that due to the current exception circumstances in its country, there will be delays in the delivery of parcels and letter-post items. The Syrian Post thanks all for their understanding. |
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