India Post to Stop Select International Letter Mail Services from January 1, 2026

The Department of Posts will discontinue certain outward international letter mail services from January 1, 2026, as per news reports. The decision is part of a restructuring exercise covering services that offer limited or no tracking. The changes will apply to international letter post items sent from India to overseas destinations. 

Services to Be Discontinued 

Under the revised framework, the registered small packet service will be withdrawn. Outward small packet services for letter post items containing goods sent by air, sea or surface air lifted (SAL) modes will also be discontinued. In addition, the Surface Letter Mail Service and the SAL Letter Mail Service for outward letters will no longer be available. 

Reasons for the Move 

The Ministry of Communications said the step addresses operational issues faced in international mail handling. These include longer delivery timelines, absence of end-to-end tracking, stricter customs and security requirements in destination countries, and reduced acceptance of such items by several foreign postal administrations. 

Alignment with International Norms 

The changes are in line with decisions taken by the Universal Postal Union (UPU). According to the department, global postal systems are increasingly moving away from low-tracking services, particularly for consignments containing goods, due to compliance and security considerations linked to cross-border e-commerce. 

Services That Will Continue 

After the changes come into effect, registration facilities will remain available for document-only consignments booked in air mode. These include letters, postcards, printed papers, aerograms, blind literature and M-bags. Registration will not be available for letter post items containing goods under the discontinued categories. 

Provisions for Blind Literature and M-Bags 

The government clarified that existing UPU provisions for blind literature and M-bags will continue unchanged. Items of blind literature sent by or addressed to a visually impaired person or an organisation for the blind will remain exempt from postal charges, except for applicable air surcharges and subject to destination country regulations.  

M-bags will continue to be governed by UPU rules, including weight limits and country-specific conditions. 

Alternative International Services 

The Department of Posts said it continues to offer other international parcel services, including the International Tracked Packet Service (ITPS). These services provide tracking, clearer delivery timelines and better alignment with customs and security requirements. 

Read More: BSE and India Post Sign MoU to Expand Mutual Fund Access in Rural India! 

Conclusion 

With the discontinuation of select services, India Post will retain international mail options that meet prevailing global postal standards. The revised structure will be implemented from January 1, 2026. 

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