India Post to end select intl mail services

The Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications will discontinue selected outward international letter mail services starting January 1 to keep in line with Universal Postal Union (UPU)'s decisions.These reforms aim to align postal offerings with evolving global e-commerce standards, the government said. The step is also aimed at enhancing customer experience, service reliability, trackability, customs compliance and security.Also read: India Post does a Gen-Z makeover: Kerala and Andhra Pradesh Get trendy, futuristic post offices after IIT Delhi. Check detailsWhich international letter mail services will be discontinuedUnder a service improvement exercise, the Department of Posts has decided to rationalize certain international letter post services. The list particularly includes those without or limited tracking features, and to promote more efficient, accountable and customer-friendly alternatives.Registered Small Packet serviceOutward Small Packet service, including letter post items containing goods sent by Sea, SAL or AirSurface Letter Mail Service and Surface Air Lifted (SAL) Letter Mail Service for outward letter post itemsThe government has taken the step to address challenges such as limited or no tracking in small packet services, longer delivery timelines, increasing customs and security requirements in destination countries, and reduced acceptance of such items by many foreign postal administrations.It encouraged customers to use the International Tracked Packet Service (ITPS) and other international parcel services, which provide end-to-end tracking and visibility, faster and more reliable delivery, better compliance with customs and adheres to security norms and competitive and transparent pricing structure, especially for small exporters and e-commerce sellers.It is emphasized that this rationalization is a positive step towards improving service quality and not to affect options for exporters or customers, the ministry said in a statement. After the new norms come into effect, customers will be able to book shipments for documents only, booked in Air mode, under the categories of Letters, Post Cards, Printed Papers, Aerograms, Blind Literature and M-bags.The government clarified that the existing UPU provisions for Blind Literature and M-bags will continue unchanged."Items of Blind Literature sent by or addressed to a blind person or an organization for the blind remain exempt from postal charges, except applicable air surcharges, subject to destination country regulations. M-bags will continue to be governed by UPU rules, including weight limits and country-specific acceptance conditions," the ministry said in a release.