Department of Posts to Rationalise International Letter Mail Services from January 1, 2026
To support exporters, MSMEs and individual customers, the Department of Posts is encouraging the use of International Tracked Packet Service (ITPS) and other international parcel services.
New Delhi, December 31: In line with global best practices and policy directions of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the Department of Posts has announced a major rationalisation of outward international letter mail services, aimed at modernising operations and improving reliability, trackability and customer experience.
The changes will come into effect from January 1, 2026, as part of a broader initiative to align India’s international postal services with evolving global e-commerce, customs and security standards.
Services to be discontinued
Under the new framework, the Department of Posts will discontinue certain outward international letter post services that offer limited or no tracking and face increasing restrictions from foreign postal administrations. The services to be withdrawn include:
- Registered Small Packet service, in line with UPU decisions restricting registration to document-only items
- Outward Small Packet service, including letter post items containing goods sent by sea, Surface Air Lifted (SAL) or air
- Surface Letter Mail Service and Surface Air Lifted (SAL) Letter Mail Service for outward letter post items
The Ministry of Communications in a statement said the move addresses challenges such as long delivery timelines, inadequate tracking, tighter customs and security requirements in destination countries, and declining international acceptance of such services.
Registration to continue for documents
The department clarified that the rationalisation is intended to improve service quality, not to reduce options for exporters or customers. After January 1, registration will continue to be available for documents only, booked in air mode, under categories such as letters, postcards, printed papers, aerograms, blind literature and M-bags.
Existing UPU provisions for blind literature and M-bags will remain unchanged. Items of blind literature sent by or addressed to a blind person or an organisation for the blind will continue to be exempt from postal charges, except for applicable air surcharges, subject to destination country regulations. M-bags will also continue to be governed by UPU rules, including weight limits and country-specific acceptance conditions.
Alternatives for exporters and e-commerce sellers
To support exporters, MSMEs and individual customers, the Department of Posts is encouraging the use of International Tracked Packet Service (ITPS) and other international parcel services. These alternatives offer end-to-end tracking, faster and more reliable delivery, improved customs compliance, adherence to security norms, and competitive, transparent pricing, particularly for small exporters and e-commerce sellers.
Smooth transition planned
All field officers have been instructed to ensure smooth implementation of the changes, guide customers towards suitable alternative services, and undertake wide publicity to facilitate a seamless transition.
Officials said the rationalisation reflects the Department of Posts’ commitment to building a modern, customer-centric and globally aligned international postal system, with greater transparency, accountability and overall service quality for users sending mail and goods abroad.
