MaltaPost has just announced the temporary suspension of all parcels and goods shipments to the United States and its territories, starting 10am on Saturday 23rd August (tomorrow). This suspension also applies to destinations such as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan, and Tinian.

Any final parcels must be deposited at MaltaPost’s Head Office in Marsa (305 Qormi Road) between 7am and 10am on Saturday 23rd August. Customers are also being advised not to post any letters or documents to the US in street post boxes.

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For urgent letters or documents, MaltaPost is offering its MEI Express Service, available across its Post Office network. However, goods and parcel shipments via MEI will also be suspended after close of business on Monday 25th August.

This move follows a new Executive Order issued by the US President, which eliminates the duty-free threshold for international postal shipments. From 29th August, all items sent to the US will be subject to customs duties, regardless of value.

With partner cargo carriers and airlines also suspending US-bound postal shipments, MaltaPost says the pause is necessary to allow time to develop and test new cross-border systems that comply with the updated US requirements.

No need for concern if you're expecting a package though – mail coming from the US to Malta remains unaffected.

Postal operators across Europe are currently working together to meet the new obligations, but MaltaPost notes that several key details, such as how duties will be collected, remain unclear.

In the meantime, MaltaPost is urging customers to check maltapost.com for the latest updates as the situation develops.

Planning to send a parcel to the United States?