The Ministry of Communications, in a release on Saturday, announced the temporary suspension of all postal services to the United States. This comes weeks after US President Donald Trump announced that he had signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on imports from India, citing the country’s continued purchase of oil from Russia.
The release read that the Department of Posts has taken note of the Executive Order No. 14324 issued by the U.S. Administration on 30th July, 2025, under which the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to USD 800 will be withdrawn with effect from 29th August, 2025.
“Consequently, all international postal items destined for the USA, regardless of their value, shall be subject to customs duties as per the country-specific International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework. However, gift items up to the value of USD 100 shall continue to remain exempt from duties,” the Ministry said in a release.
According to the release, the Department of Posts has decided to “temporarily suspend” booking of all types of postal articles, heading to the US, with effect from August 25, 2025, except letters or documents and gift items up to USD 100 in value.
Trump’s Tariffs On India
Earlier, announcing 25 percent additional tariffs on India, the White House said the decision is aimed at strengthening measures taken under earlier sanctions against Russia following its actions in Ukraine. Before this, the US President had announced a 25 percent tariff on India.
The order stated that India is directly or indirectly importing oil from Russia, which the US considers a threat to its national security and foreign policy.
“Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent,” the order read.
These duties will be in addition to existing tariffs unless the goods fall under certain exemptions, including specific categories outlined in earlier trade executive orders.
EAM On Trump’s Tariff
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Thursday said that India’s oil purchase from the US has been consistently increasing, as the August 27 deadline set by the Donald Trump administration to impose additional 25 percent tariffs on India for buying Russian energy inches closer.
During a press briefing in Moscow, EAM Jaishankar said that India is not the biggest purchaser of Russian oil.
“That is China. We are not the biggest purchasers of LNG; that is the European Union. We are not the country that has the biggest trade surge with Russia after 2022; I think there are some countries to the South,” the EAM emphasised.
IANS reported, citing official figures, that India’s oil and gas imports from the US have jumped by as much as 51 percent from January to June this year.
India has increased its purchases of oil from the US, with the Indian Oil Corporation, the country’s largest oil company, placing orders for around 2 million barrels of oil in August for October delivery. Indian Oil Corporation has bought another cargo of US crude in August for delivery in October.
