International Incident Bulletin

Last updated: 19th of May 2025

 

Welcome to our international incident bulletin; a roundup of any issues that may be impacting our parcel and letter services to and from countries around the world. We keep this information as up to date as possible, with information supplied to Royal Mail by the various foreign national postal authorities.

Service Update

Export

Customers sending items requiring a customs declaration (such as goods or gifts) internationally should purchase postage online, through shipping solutions or over the counter at Post Office branches rather than using Postage Stamps or Meters.    

In addition to the Tracking information available through the Royal Mail website, senders and recipients may be able to access additional tracking information on the destination posts webpages.

Import

Import operations continue to perform a full service.  
 

Import Control System 2 (ICS2) 

ICS2 is a regulatory change required by the EU, focused on continuing to improve the security of parcels shipped internationally. It allows customs authorities to identify items which may require control earlier in the supply chain and take the appropriate action. Sending countries must provide the required parcel/customs information. This means that any item that requires a customs declaration (including gifts, samples, goods and other categories) must have the relevant customs documentation attached and associated Electronic Data must also be supplied. You can use an approved Royal Mail or Third-Party Shipping Solution where this is captured so you can continue exporting with the required compliant electronic data. From the 1st July 2023 any items containing goods that do not have mandatory data fields completed will be at risk of being delayed, returned, or even destroyed. Please see here or here for more information.
 

Recently Updated

  • Columbia
  • Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Slovakia
  • Botswana
  • Morocco
  • Italy
  • Panama
  • South Korea
  • Australia

 

Start date: 9 August 2021
Latest update: 6 January 2025
End date: Ongoing
Incident: No available route

Original Incident
There is currently no route to Afghanistan as carriers have cancelled flights since Monday 16th August 2021.

Start date: 8 May 2025
Latest update: 16 May 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Customs

Please be advised that from the 8th of May items that require customs clearance going through the Sydney gateway are likely to encounter delay due to increased customs checks

Start date: 22 March 2025
Latest update: 2 April 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Cyber Security Incident

Botswana Post have informed us that a cyber security incident occurred on the 29th March 2025 resulting in a temporary period of service disruption when a ransomware attack was detected & contained.

While the investigation is still ongoing, and as a precautionary measure, local postal services will remain suspended and IT services will remain unavailable until the post are certain that the issue has been fully resolved.

Start date: 15 February 2025
Latest update: 13 March 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Handover Delays 

There are currently delays locally in Columbia due to an ongoing handover issue in the country with no end date at present. We will update once the situation improves.

Start date: 1 March 2025
Latest update: 18 March 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Armed Conflict

The Democratic Republic of Congo Post have informed us that due to the ongoing conflict in the east of the country, postal operations are severely disrupted with North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri impacted.

Mail movement is severely impacted and this has led to considerable delays. The post have implemented temporary suspensions in the processing of all mail while it is actively exploring alternative solutions.

Start date: 28 August 2023
Latest Update: 6 January 2025
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Infrequent Despatch

Please note that customers currently using our Tracked Heavier services to The Falklands may experience delays. Dispatch is infrequent and longer transit times should be expected. This will also effect the tracking events which you may typically expect to see as part of this service. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Start date: 7 December 2024
Latest update: 6 January 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Cyclone Chido

La Poste of France have informed us that the infrastructure in Mayotte (postcode 976xx) has been severely impacted by the passage of Cyclone Chido.

As the airport is not currently operational, the shipment and delivery of all mail items are suspended until repairs can be undertaken.

The shipment of letter and parcel post to the Comoros via Mayotte is also suspended.

Start date: 10 November 2024
Latest update: 6 January 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Service Suspension

Due to the situation in the region currently and a number of flight cancellations we are not currently able to accept traffic for this destination.

Any items already posted and in the pipeline will be returned to sender.

Start date: 6 November 2023
Latest Update: 6 January 2025
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Earthquake and Volcanic Activity / Storm

Earthquake and Volcanic Activity

Icelandic Post have advised that a new volcanic eruption started just north of Grindavik in the Reykjanes peninsula on Sunday 14th January 2024.

It is deemed likely that more eruptions will occur around the town in the coming weeks, hence It is unlikely that habitants will be allowed to return to live in Grindavik in the coming weeks or months.

Iceland Post has not delivered mail in the Grindavik area since the original evacuation 13th of November 2023 and due to the area being uninhabitable it seems unlikely it will be possible to deliver mail in Grindavik in the near future. We will provide any further updates on this as they become available.

Start date: 16 September 2021
Latest Update: 24 January 2025
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Customs Delays 

Our service to Ireland is operating as normal. Items that require the payment of import taxes may take longer to be delivered as this is required before items are released from Irish customs.

Please note: Delivered Duties Unpaid items sent to Ireland are handled as follows:

•Where a mobile number and /or email is provided, the recipient will receive a text and / or email and a letter with the amount of tax to pay plus An Post’s processing fee.
•Where just the address has been provided, the recipient will receive a letter.

In both situations the recipient will receive instructions on how to pay and will have 16 working days to make the payment before the item is returned. The pay by date is included in the customer notification.All items are held in the Dublin Mail Centre Campus before being released, once payment is received. If payment is not received by the payment due date or the customer rejects the item then it is returned to sender.

IOSS HS Code Restrictions
The Irish Custom authority have notified us that they have relaxed their import controls on certain goods and HS codes. Customers sending items to Ireland via IOSS are advised to check the latest restricted HS Tariff codes implemented by Irish Customs. To access the list of restricted HS Tariff codes, please visit our Ireland Page.

Start date: 2 October 2023
Latest Update: 6 January 2025
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Security Situation

Security Situation

As a result of the current situation in Israel we are experiencing delays with many flight cancellations. This is a fluid situation and may change at short notice. Throughout the country, the retention period for unclaimed items has been extended to 30 days. All items are subject to delay and we will continue to provide updates as we receive them. 

Please note at this time, we are unable to accept items addressed to Gaza or Khan Yunis and The West Bank.

Start date: 8 March 2025
Latest update: 15 May 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Flooding / Airport Closure / Potential Delays

Flooding

Poste Italiane have informed us that adverse weather conditions affected the Toscana region on March 14th, 15th and 16th. Flooding has caused disruption to their infrastructure resulting in the need to evacuate municipalities and delays are expected until conditions return to normal. Severley affected areas are as follows:

Pontassieve/Via del Sasso 50065;

Dicomano/Loc. Santa Lucia 50062;

Pistoia 51100;

Sesto Fiorentino/Via Baroncoli 50019.

Airport Closure 

Poste Italiane have updated that Catania Airport will be closing during night-time hours from the 31st March to the 30th October 2025.

The closure will not affect EMS & Parcel products and will only affect Letter traffic, Tracked and Registered items to the zip code areas of 93xxx to 98xxx. These items may be delayed as result of the evening closures.

Potential Delays

Please note that customers currently using our services to Italy may experience a temporary delay. We are continuing to export as normal however are aware of extended processing times locally at present. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as they become available.

Start date: 2 January 2024
Affecting postings from: 13th June 2024
End date: To be advised
Incident: Earthquake

Japan Post have updated that the situation has now improved after the impact of the earthquake in January but there is still a lot of rubble in certain areas which continues to effect their operation.

The postcode areas which remain affected are 9270000 – 9289999 and delays may be experienced as result.

Start date: 2 July 2021
Latest Update: 6 January 2025
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Infrequent Service

Please note this service is infrequent and therefore customers should expect items to take between 2-3 months to reach their final destination.

Start date: 24 February 2022
Latest Update: 6 January 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Airspace availability

Due to the situation in neighbouring Ukraine, we have been advised that Moldovan airspace is closed. We have an alternative route in place, however as this is a non-direct route please be advised that there may be short delays to the delivery of your item.

Start date: 21 March 2025
Latest update: 8 April 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Import Warehouse Fire 

Moroccan Post have informed us that due to a fire at an Import warehouse at the Airport on the 27th March 2025 delays are expected in the processing and delivery of inbound items until the situation returns to normal.

Start date: 1 May 2025
Latest update: 8 May 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Public Protest

Panama Post have informed us that public protests are resulting in road closures across the country and are currently causing delays in the distribution and delivery of postal items.

Start date: 28 February 2022
Latest Update: 6 January 2025
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Service availability

We are still despatching postal items to Russia. We are continually monitoring the situation and will provide an update if there are any changes to our service moving forward.

Start date: 20 March 2025
Latest update: 2 April 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Foot and Mouth Disease

Slovakian Post have informed us that due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the south-west of the country, special emergency measures have been implemented with effect from 21st March 2025 and a wider emergency has been declared with effect from 25 March 2025.

For premises housing livestock with confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease and all premises within the protection zone defined by the Regional Veterinary and Food Administration, the following will apply:-

All Postal items addressed to affected premises will be held at the appropriate post office for the duration of the above measures; The post office/courier will inform the recipient by phone or e-mail that items are being held.

Areas affected are:-                     

Medveďov - 930 07

Ňárad - 930 06

Baka - 930 04

Malá Lúč - 930 03

Plavecký Štvrtok - 900 68

Delays may also be observed at border crossings due to extra control measures taken as a result of the outbreak

No service since October 1991.

Start date: 1 October 2023
Latest update: 6 January 2025
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Delays

Please note that customers currently using our services to South Africa may experience delays. We are continuing to export as normal however are aware of extended processing times locally at present. We will provide further updates as they become available.

Start date: 24 May 2025
Latest update: 16 May 2025
End date: 30 May 2025
Incident: Election Day

South Korea Post have informed us that due to the early voting day for the presidential election on the 29th of May 2025, the delivery of postal items arriving on or around that date may be subject to delays of one day.

Start date: 5th July 2023
Affecting Postings: 6 January 2025
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Service Suspension

Restrictions on this route continue to be challenging owing to civil unrest in the country and as a result a full service suspension is now in place. Any items currently held in OEs are expected to be returned to sender. 

No service since December 2012.

Start date: 24 February 2022
Latest update: 6 January 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Service Availability

We continue to make regular mail despatch to Ukraine via our Postal Partners. In the absence of air transport, they have rebuilt their international logistics network using road line haul and trains to convey postal items to, and from airports outside of Ukraine. In areas without active hostilities, all Ukrposhta post offices will remain open. Sorting facilities are equipped with electricity generators to ensure uninterrupted work and maintain normal customs and sorting procedures. However, operationally delays are still likely to be experienced until further notice.

There remains a number of areas that Ukrposhta are currently unable to service. For the latest view on accessible postcode and service areas please refer to:

services.ukrposhta.com/postindex_new/upload/Available_codes(Ukraine).zip

This is updated every Sunday. This list does not contain all existing postcodes but only those where mail acceptance and delivery services are available at a given time.

Start date: 10 December 2024
Latest update: 6 January 2025
End date: To be advised
Incident: Earthquake

Vanuatu Post have informed us that a 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the country on 17 December 2024, disrupting Internet connectivity and flights.

The event has caused significant structural concerns at the Vanuatu Post Limited building and airports are temporarily closed for repairs with road access to international seaports blocked by landslides.

As Internet connectivity and electricity are currently down, processing and delivery delay can be expected until the situation recovers.

No service since March 2015.