SERVICE STATUS UPDATES

Last Updated: 19th April 2024 

Welcome to our service status updates; 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. 

PLEASE NOTE WE ARE CURRENTLY RECEIVING A HIGH VOLUME OF ORDERS WITH CUSTOM DELAYS IN SOME COUNTRIES DUE TO POLITICAL CONFLICTS, POSTAL STRIKES, AND OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES 

Recently Updated -  

  • South Africa 
  • Japan 
  • France 
  • Iceland 
  • Mexico 
  • Chile 
  • Israel 
  • Haiti 
  • Madagascar 
  • Kazakhstan 
  • Greece 
  • United Arab Emirates 

Afghanistan- No available route (Latest Update 23rd August 2021) 
Status: Ongoing 

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

Chile - Wildfires (Latest Update 7th February 2024) 
Status: To be advised 
 
Chilean Post have informed that its operations in the Valparaíso region are currently disrupted by a number of fires with shipments to and from the region being delayed by at least 24 hours. 

The following areas will not have home delivery services until further notice:  

Viña del Mar:- 

Canal Beagle, Villa Dulce, Limonares, Villa Independencia, Villa Hermosa, El Olivar, El Salto, Chorrillos, 

Santa Julia, Miraflores, Achupallas, Reñaca Alto, Villa La Cruz, Rukán. 

Quilpué: - Canal Chacao, Pompeya norte/sur, Villa Olímpica, Colina de Oro, Población Argentina, Paso hondo, Los Pinos 

Villa Alemana: Fundo El Rincón, Las Acacias 

Items sent to the above areas will be delivered to the nearest branch for pickup. The operating hours of some Correos Chile branches may also be shortened where necessary, leading to delays in the transportation, collection and delivery of all mail types. 

 

Falkland Islands - Infrequent Dispatch (Latest Update 31st August 2023) 
Status: Ongoing 
 
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. 
 

France - Strikes in Mayotte (Latest Update 25th March 2024) 
Status: Ongoing 
 
La Poste have informed us that the industrial action in Mayotte has now ceased, however there are still difficulties with air transport therefore delays may still be experienced in the interim. 

Greece - Strike (Latest Update 16th April 2024 ) 
Hellenic Post of Greece has informed that the Confederation of the Greek workers has announced a 24-hour strike on Wednesday 17th of April. 

As result, international and domestic mail operation will be affected, with delay on the day and immediately after the strike in case of any backlog. 
 

Haiti - Service Suspension (Latest Update 25th March 2024) 
Status: To be advised 
 
Due to civil unrest locally, both air and sea carriers have stopped servicing this route at present. As a result of this, despatch to Haiti is suspended until further notice. Any items already in the pipeline will be returned to senders. 
 

Iceland - Earthquake and Volcanic Activity (Latest Update 19th January 2024) 
Status: Ongoing 
 
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. 
 

Ireland- Customs Delays (Latest Update 26th June 2023) 
Status: Ongoing 

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. 


Israel – Security Situation (Latest Update 22nd February 2024) 
Status: Ongoing 
 
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. 
 

Japan – Earthquake (Latest Update 2nd January 2024) 
Status: To be advised 
 
Japan Post continue to accept mail but have notified us that the delivery of all types of items are currently being delayed owing to damage caused by the earthquake that struck the Hokuriku region on 1 January 2024 

The worst affected areas are as follows and delays are likely to be experienced: 

Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui areas 

Parts of Hokkaido, Yamagata, Nagano and the Hyogo areas. 

We will provide a further update as this becomes available 
 

Kazakhstan – Severe Weather (Latest Update 16th April 2024) 
Status: To be advised 
 
Kazakhstan Post have informed us that severe weather conditions are causing floods in the regions of Aktobe, Kostanay, Akmola, Atyrau and North Kazakhstan, with emergency situations declared within the flood zone since the 29th March 2024. 

As a result, the collection and delivery of all mail types are disrupted for postal codes 02****, 03****, 06****, 09****, 11**** and 15**** until situation improves and delays should be expected. 
 
Kiribati – Infrequent Service (Latest Update 26th June 2023) 
Status: Ongoing 
 
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. 


Madagascar – Cyclone Gamane (Latest Update 5th April 2024) 
Status: To be advised 
 
Madagascar Post have informed us that the northern and eastern regions of Madagascar were severely Impacted by Cyclone Gamane on the 27 March 2024. 

Floods are still impeding the movement of all mail types between the office of exchange and delivery offices in these regions and causing delays to delivery until further notice. 
 

Mexico – Hurricane Otis (Latest Update 2nd February 2024) 
Status: Ongoing 
 
Mexico Post have updated that whilst the situation in Acapulco and the surrounding regions remains critical, basic postal services have now been re-established since the passing of Hurricane Otis. However, the Post is still unable to guarantee electronic data interchange with its partners owing to a lack of power and connectivity in the affected areas. 

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– Airspace Availability (Latest Update 27nd February 2024) 
Status: To be advised 
 
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. 
 
 
Russia – Service Availability (Latest Update 26 June 2023) 
Status: To be advised 
 
We are still despatching postal items to Russia, but with difficulty in Russian Customs. We are continually monitoring the situation and will provide an update if there are any changes to our service moving forward. 
 

Somalia – On Suspension (No Service since October 1991) 
 
 
South Africa – Delays (Latest Update 1st November 2023) 
Status: To be advised 
 
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. 
 
 
Sudan – Service Suspension (Latest Update 12th April 2023) 
Status: Ongoing 
 
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.  
 
 
Syria – On Suspension (No Service since December 2012) 

  

Ukraine – On Suspension in for Crimea & Sevastopol since 2014 
 
 
Ukraine – Service Availability (Latest Update 28 October 2022)  
Status: To be advised 
  
We continue to make regular mail despatch to Ukraine via our Postal Partners. Ukraine Post has updated that the country’s infrastructure has suffered severe damage. In areas without active hostilities, all Ukrposhta post offices will remain open. In places where there are power outages, 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 are likely to be delays until further notice. 
 

United Arab Emirates – Severe Weather (Latest Update 18th April 2024) 

United Arab Emirates Post have informed us that severe weather conditions have been affecting postal services since 16th April 2024. 

As a result, the collection and delivery of all mail types are disrupted across all cities in the United Arab Emirates and delays may be experienced. 

Yemen – Long Term Suspension (No Service Since March 2015)