Global Hot Spots
Global Hot Spots are a compilation of issues and events affecting international mail deliveries worldwide.
International Mail Service Disruptions
Monday, April 26, 2010
EUROPEAN UNION | Pitney Bowes International Services can confirm that virtually all mail, publications and packages delayed by the volcanic ash have reached the UK and continental Europe. If not already in the hands of the respective postal authority or private delivery partner, your material is in the midst of the clearance process. Backlogged freight from Los Angeles has been the last to uplift, while trans-atlantic air-movements from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami returned to near-normal conditions. Pitney Bowes appreciates the understanding and positive comments offered by our customers as we worked to overcome this challenging event. We hope the actions taken in concert with our international partners demonstrated our commitment to provide an unparalleled service, even under the most difficult of operating scenarios. We do not anticipate further communication on this subject, but will do so should the unfortunate occur and circumstances change relative to European air space.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
BELGIUM | The postal administration of Belgium (BE) has advised that they will have very limited inbound and outbound traffic starting April 20. This is due to the volcanic activity in Iceland and the ash cloud over Europe. No mail will fly out on April 20 and a contingency plan is in place to ship mail to European destinations by road.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
CHILE | The postal administration of Chile has advised that delays in the delivery of mail may occur in central and southern Chile, specifically in Region 7 (Maula), Region 8 (Biobio) and Region 9 (Araucaria) as a result of the recent earthquake. The Chilean post is surveying the situation on the ground and will provide more detailed information as soon as possible.
Restricted U.S. Mail Service in the following countries
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
SOMALIA | All international mail services are suspended.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
ASCENSION ISLANDS | Only First Class Mail International service is available.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
CUBA | Service is limited to letters in the usual form, Braille letters for the blind, postcards, and printed matter items sent as First-Class Mail International, International Priority Airmail (IPA) or International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) mailings. Priority Mail International parcel service is not available, but the Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope may be mailed. Prior to mailing, customers need to contact the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the U.S. Department of the Treasury for general provisions governing U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions and for comprehensive information about goods and service that may not be imported to or exported from Cuba.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
GUINEA-BISSAU | Global Express Guaranteed service is not available.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Afghanistan | Express Mail Internationional services is not available
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Falkland Islands | Only First-Class Mail International service is available.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
ANTIGUA and BARBUDA | Express Mail International service is not available.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
BOLIVIA | Priority Mai International parcel service is not available but the Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope may be mailed.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS | Express Mail International service is not available.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Burma (Myanmar) | Global Express Guaranteed service and Express Mail International service are not available.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | Global Express Guaranteed service is not available.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
COMOROS | Global Express Guaranteed service and Express Mail International service are not available.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
EQUATORIAL GUINEA | Global Express Guaranteed service is not available.
General Complications
Friday, July 09, 2010
United Kingdom | An explosion and resulting fire on July 9, 2010 near London Heathrow Airport has led to a minor disruption in mail and cargo service. The explosion at the Servisair Cargo warehouse used by Emirates Airline caused airport traffic to be restricted in the areas surrounding the incident. Recovery and movement of material from airlines and clearance agents has been affected. At this time, service delays are not anticipated to exceed one day.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
HAITI | The U.S. Postal Service resumed international mail service to the nation of Haiti today as efforts to restore limited postal services gain momentum in the wake of the devastating earthquake this past January that destroyed much of Haiti Post’s infrastructure and service capacity. A temporary hold issued Jan. 15 for mail accepted for delivery to Haiti has been lifted, and air transport of international letters and packages from the U.S. has resumed, allowing mail volumes to begin flowing to Haiti as airlift and operational capacity expand. The U.S. Postal Service has continued to accept mail for Haiti and held it for delivery at five International Service Centers. Over 2,000 pounds of international mail will be entered into Haiti throughout the week. International mail services offered by the Postal Service to destinations in Haiti are Express Mail International, Priority Mail International, and First Class Mail International.