EmIS 290/2020: United States of America - Impact of COVID-19 on postal operations
April 10, 2020 at 10.58 (CET)
The designated United States operator, the USPS, would like to report on the impact of COVID-19 on operations
exchange offices and USPS networks involved in the transportation, processing and delivery of international mail.
While USPS networks have been affected by the preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19 that are currently in place
ordered by national, state or municipal authorities, exchange mails are received and processed in their entirety
mail which has been sent for delivery on the national network. The USPS therefore now wishes to inform its partners of
temporary changes:
1. The USPS can no longer comply with service delivery standards (ie timeliness of delivery, quality of follow-up services)
for terminal charges, etc. for all postal products) in accordance with the provisions of the UPU. As a result, the company
The USPS declares a situation of force majeure in relation to any such standards, including the relationship of service quality to
rewards.
Due to declining transport capacity and outstanding mail volumes at exchange post offices, there is no USPS
currently able to offer transit services.
The USPS has changed its traditional procedures for international mail requiring a signature. Instead of requiring a signature,
USPS staff were asked to keep a safe distance and asked the recipient for their first and last name. This information is entered (along with the details of the delivery agent) into the mobile delivery
equipment. The USPS therefore declares a situation of force majeure with respect to the UPU's provisions regarding the capture of a signature
on international postal items.
Designated operators who are able to transport shipments by air to one of the exchange offices in the USA
should continue sending mail.