Latest International Delivery Updates

Go back 17 Nov 2023

Please find below our latest update regarding our global transport & delivery networks.

Our aim is to update you regularly regarding postal flows out of the UK. We are continuously working with partners to minimise delays and ensure continuity of service.

Service Update for Russia and Belarus

Please be aware of the following service updates:

  • Inbound service to Russia has been suspended, therefore we are not able to accept shipments to Russia until further notice.
  • We have temporarily suspended inbound and outbound service for Belarus until further notice.

We are closely monitoring this ongoing situation and we will keep you updated on any further developments.

Untracked International Mail (Documents & Ecom) via The Delivery Group worldwide postal partners

Letters, Large Letters & Packets to the following countries are on hold until further notice:

  • SYRIAN ARAB. REPUBLIC
  • YEMEN

Untracked International mail service via Royal Mail International

  • Afghanistan – On Suspension
  • Somalia – On Suspension
  • Sudan – On Suspension
  • Syria – Long Term Suspension
  • Ukraine – Crimea & Sevastopol Regions – Long-Term Suspension
  • Yemen – Long Term Suspension

Fiji
Start date: 1 November 2023
Latest Update: 15 November 2023
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Cyclone

Fiji Post have informed us that all Post office outlets were closed on the 14 November 2023, due to the tropical cyclone warning predicted to affect the country.

Disruption is expected for the processing and delivery of all mail types until the situation returns to normal and delays should be expected.

Greece
Start date: 30 August 2023
Latest update: 29 September 2023
End date: To be advised
Incident 1: Rainstorm and Flooding

Hellenic Post Office of Greece have informed us that the GR territory has been hit by heavy rainstorms, flooding and landslides. This has effected many areas of the country, especially in Central and Northern Greece impacting on the transport and delivery of all mail types. Delays are to be expected during this period.

Iceland
Start date: 6 November 2023
Latest Update: 13 November 2023
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Earthquake and Volcanic Activity

Icelandic Post has declared a state of emergency after a series of earthquakes in the Reykjanes peninsula. A risk of a volcanic activity in or around the town of Grindavik has led to authorities ordering the town’s evacuation which is expected to last for a minimum of two weeks.

During this time Icelandic Post will not be able to deliver mail in Grindavik (post codes 240-241). Registered items will be forwarded as possible to temporary addresses of residents. As a result, delays are expected for this region until situation returns to normal.

Ireland
Start date: 16 September 2021
Latest Update: 26 June 2023
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Customs delays

Latest Update
Our service to Ireland is operating as normal. However, items that require the payment of import taxes by the recipient may take longer to be delivered as payment 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.

Israel
Start date: 2 October 2023
Latest Update: 9 November 2023
End date: Ongoing
Incident: 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.

Kiribati
Incident: Infrequent Service
Connecting flights to Kiribati have been available again since the 15th of December. However, please note this service is infrequent and therefore customers should expect items to take between 2-3 months to reach their final destination.

Mexico
Start date: 11 October 2023
Latest Update: 31 October 2023
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Hurricane Otis

Mexico Post have informed us that due to category-five Hurricane Otis passing through the port of Acapulco on Thursday, 26 October, postal services have been suspended in the affected areas until further notice. A situation of force majeure has been declared in the affected areas where power and telephone lines are down, infrastructure and roads have been damaged. As result, delays should be expected in the following areas until further notice.

Municipality / Postcode Range

Ayutla de los Libres – 39200 – 39229
Acapulco de Juárez – 39300 – 39937
San Marcos – 39960 – 39997
Petatlán – 40830 – 40859
Zihuatanejo de Azueta – 40880 – 40897
Técpan de Galeana – 40900 – 40929
Atoyac de Álvarez – 40930 – 40958
Coyuca de Benítez – 40970 – 40997
San Luis Acatlán – 41600 – 41637
Ometepec – 41700 – 41736
Cuautepec – 41840 – 41860

Moldova
Incident: Airspace availability
Latest Update – 26 June 2023
Due to the situation in neighbouring Ukraine, we have been advised that Moldovan airspace is closed. We are working with our postal and transportation partners to put in place alternative routes. We are still accepting items for Moldova but please be advised that there may be short delays to the delivery of your item.

Niger
Start date: 28 July 2023
Latest Update: 1 September 2023
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Postal Operation Suspended

Niger Post has informed that due to the temporary closure of land and air borders since August 6th they have suspended all postal operations inbound and outbound and declared a force majeure. As a result the service is suspended until further notice and any items already in the pipeline will be returned to sender.

Norway
Start date: 2 August 2023
Latest Update: 31 August 2023
End date: Ongoing
Incident: Extreme Weather

Norway Post have informed that extreme weather has been ravaging central and southern parts of Norway since earlier in the week. Heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides have caused road closures and affected infrastructure but things are now improving. Delivery of parcels and mail within Southern Norway (0001-6999) has now been restored and Northern Norway ((7000-9999). Delays should still be expected outside of this.

Serbia
Start date: 18 October 2023
Latest update: 15 November 2023
End date: To be advised
Incident: Operational Disruption

Serbia Post have informed us that they have been experiencing disruption since 24 October 2023 due to a series of unlawful strikes which is resulting in delays in the processing and delivery of items.

South Africa
Start date: 1 October 2023
Latest update: 1 November 2023
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.

Turkey
Incident: Earthquake
Latest Update
Turkish Post has informed that two large earthquakes have hit the Southern and South Eastern regions of the country on the 6th February and a state of emergency has been declared.

This will severely impact mail operations and delays are to be expected across all affected areas.

Tuvalu
Incident: Infrequent Service
Connecting flights to Tuvalu are infrequent and therefore customers should expect items to take between 2-3 months to reach their final destination.

Ukraine
Incident: Service availability
We continue to make regular mail despatch to Ukraine transiting via our Postal Partners. Ukraine Post has updated that the country’s infrastructure has suffered severe damage. The attacks on the power grid and local energy facilities are necessitating rolling power cuts lasting from one to four hours. In some cases, following a direct missile strike, power may be cut off for several days in certain areas. In areas without active hostilities, all Ukrposhta post offices will remain open. In places with up to 24 hours power outage, Ukrposhta employees will hand out postal items and pay out money orders and upload the delivery data into the system at a later stage, once power and Internet access are restored. Sorting facilities are equipped with electricity generators to ensure uninterrupted work and maintain normal customs and sorting procedures. However, operationally there may be delays. Therefore, delays should continue to be expected for items destined to Ukraine until further notice.

Vanuatu
Incident: Tropical Cyclone
Vanuatu Post have advised that a State of Emergency has been declared for the whole country in the wake of two cyclones which have struck the country. The state of emergency is expected to last for at least 6 months. Postal operations will continue throughout by delays should be expected.

 

Tracked via The Delivery Group ETrak service

Europe

Portugal
Delays due to flooding in Lisbon.
Expected delays: 3+ days

Austria
Delays due to flooding.
Expected delays: 3+ days

Spain
Delays due to heavy rainfall.
Expected delays: 3+ days

France
Delays due to technical issues & strikes in France
Expected delays: 4+ days

Italy
Delays are expected due to extreme weather conditions.

Germany
Delays are expected due to extreme weather conditions

Ukraine
We are continually monitoring the situation in Ukraine, however, this destination currently remains closed.

Russia
We are continually monitoring the situation between Russia & Ukraine, however, this destination currently remains closed.

Rest of the World

Philippines
Delays due to a fire Manila Central Post Office.
Expected delays: 7-14 days

Thailand
Delays are expected.

Chile
Delays currently, due to flight capacity, destination handling and I.T issues.
Expected Delays: 21 days

Taiwan
Delays expected due to flight capacity and customs clearance.

South Africa
South Africa is now open again however there are extensive delays.

Americas

USA
Delays due to strikes and flooding.

Canada
Delays are expected due to backlogs at Canadian customs.
State of emergency declared due to flooding. Large delays are expected.

Mexico
Delays currently, due to flight capacity and in destination handling.

Brazil
Delays currently, due to flight capacity and in destination handling.

Oceania

Australia
Delays expected
Expected Delays: 10-14 days

Singapore
Delays due to unprecedented volumes.
Expected Delays: 4-7 days

New Zealand
Delays expected
Expected Delays: 10-14 days

As always, we will be monitoring this closely and updating you with any changes.

The followixng countries listed are currently on hold until further notice:

AFGHANISTAN ANGUILLA ANGOLA
BAHRAIN BERMUDA BRUNEI
BOLIVIA CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS BELIZE
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC ECUADOR ERITREA
FALKLAND ISLANDS GRENADA GHANA
GAMBIA GUADELOUPE EQUATORIAL GUINEA
GUYANA HAITI HONDURAS
IRAN KIRIBATI LAOS
LESOTHO LIBERIA LIBYA
MYANMAR (BURMA) MONGOLIA MARTINIQUE
MAURITIUS FRENCH POLYNESIA PAPUA NEW GUINEA
RÉUNION SIERRA LEONE SINT MAARTEN
ST. KITTS & NEVIS ST. VINCENT & GRENADINES SURINAM
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ST. VINCENT & GRENADINES BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
VANUATU

 

International Courier Service

For full details of temporary service adjustments please visit the website:
www.simplydhl.com/covid-19updates

 

Please note that this situation changes continuously, and we are monitoring on an hourly basis to search alternatives where possible depending on our partners’ operational capacities, our focus is to ensure we keep your mail moving across the world with minimal delays wherever possible.

In the current circumstances all prices are subject to change with immediate notice should we be informed of increased costs by any of our worldwide postal partners, linehaul both road and air is now in high demand and subject to increases, we will of course keep our clients informed and we will ensure we are working with all of our partners to ensure we keep your mail moving.

Coronavirus COVID-19

For additional information on the Coronavirus COVID-19 please visit the NHS website

The Government has released a Coronavirus Action Plan which you can access here