The recent suspension of all postal services to the United States by India Post has sparked concern among families, students, and small exporters in Odisha, who now face the loss of an affordable option to send parcels and documents abroad.
The decision affects all categories of mail, including letters, documents, and gift items valued up to $100. It comes in the wake of the US government scrapping duty-free imports for packages valued up to $800 and the absence of defined regulatory mechanisms for smaller consignments.
For many families in Odisha, India Post has been the most economical method to send parcels, particularly to cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston, and Dallas, where hundreds of Odias study or work. Sudhakar Dash, a resident of Kalinga Vihar, said, “I used to send small parcels of Ayurvedic medicines to my son studying in the US. Private couriers are too expensive. I hope the temporary suspension will be lifted soon.”
The suspension comes at a sensitive time, just ahead of the festive season, when parcels of gifts and dry food packets typically see a surge. Legal and personal documents also form a significant portion of international consignments from the state.
Small exporters, especially those dealing in handloom and handicraft items through e-commerce platforms, are particularly affected. Anita Sabat, co-founder of Sabat Exports Pvt Ltd, said, “We will have to completely shift to DHL or UPS since the postal channel has been suspended. The cost will be very high, making our products less competitive. This will significantly impact small exporters like us.”
Officials stated that India Post handled over 7,000 international consignments from Odisha in 2024, including 4,000 merchandise shipments, with the US, UK, and UAE accounting for the majority. The US alone represented around 40% of the total shipments through India Post. Postages worth approximately Rs 1.5 crore were sold for international consignments from the state last year.
The suspension has left many waiting for clarity on when normal services might resume, with families, students, and exporters hoping for a swift resolution.
