Global Mailing News
June 14, 2013
Colorado Wildfires
Due to the wildfires in Colorado, the USPS has reported the following service disruptions.
- Limited delivery in the Elbert, Monument, Peyton, and Colorado Springs areas. Delivery has been suspended for all of Colorado Springs, with the exception of the general area between Woodman and Burgess, in the southeast corner.
- Black Forest Retail Postal Unit: Service has been temporarily been suspended from this location. Customers can retrieve their mail and be serviced at the Briargate Post Office, located at 8585 Criterion Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.
- Colorado Springs, 80908: Customers can retrieve their mail at the Briargate Post Office, located at 8585 Criterion Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. The mail can be picked up at the side door in the lobby, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Customers may also contact the Briargate Post Office at 719-265-4409.
- Elbert Post Office, 80106: Customers can retrieve their mail at the Kiowa Post Office, located at 708 Comanche St, Kiowa, CO 80117.
- Monument Post Office, 80132: Customers living east of Interstate 25 and south of State Highway 105 make pick up their mail at the Monument Post Office, located at 543 3rd Street, Monument, CO 80132.
- Peyton, 80831: Customers can retrieve their mail at the Peyton Post Office, located at 13055 Bradshaw Road, Peyton, CO 80831.
- Black Forest Retail Postal Unit - the area in and around Colorado Springs, CO continues to be impacted by the Black Forest wildfire. As a result of the fire, operations at the Black Forest Retail Postal Unit have been temporarily suspended. Customers can retrieve their mail and retail service at the Briargate Post Office, located at 8585 Criterion Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.
December 12, 2012
2012 Global Holiday Schedule
To assist you in planning and avoiding interruptions in the delivery of your mail, we have compiled a Global Holiday Schedule for the major international markets. While not inclusive of all regions or countries it should serve as a general reference guide to determining possible disruptions in service should you be mailing to these regions at various times throughout the year.
>Download PDF of 2012 Global Holiday Schedule
Please check back here often as we will regularly update this list moving forward.
If you have any questions about this list or other concerns, please contact your International Services customer service representative.
Shipping, duties and fees can add up quickly — and some product managers will jump to the conclusion that these add-ons will make the total cost too high. Don't be so quick to judge. Read more.
December 12, 2012
Lithium Battery Labeling Requirements
Labeling Requirements for Acceptance of Outbound International Mailing of Packages Containing Lithium Batteries
On Nov. 15, 2012, Postal Service policies changed to allow specific quantities of lithium batteries — when installed in the equipment they are intended to operate — to be sent to many international destinations, including APO (Army Post Office), FPO (Fleet Post Office) and DPO (Diplomatic Post Office) locations when permitted by the destination or host country.
Items which can be shipped may include: cameras, video cameras, mobile/smart phones, Bluetooth headsets, laptop computers, shavers, portable DVD players, tablets, two-way radios, GPS devices and most other small electronic devices requiring lithium batteries to operate.
Lithium batteries are considered by international authorities to be within the class of "dangerous goods." Items meeting the size and quantity restrictions may be mailed internationally; however, the packaging of the battery must comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations to be mailable. Items must be packaged in accordance with Packing Instructions 967 (Lithium Ion or Rechargeable) or 970 (Lithium Metal or Non-rechargeable). Both Packing Instructions prohibit the use of the "Lithium Battery Handling" label or the "Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods" label on the outside of the package for international mailing.
Business mailers presenting qualifying items in pre-printed packaging with the "Lithium Battery Handling" label or the
Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods" label on the outside of their shipment for acceptance must completely cover or obliterate the pre-printed label.
The Lithium Battery Handling and Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Good labels (images below) are NOT acceptable for international mailing, or when sent to or from APO, FPO or DPO locations.
December 12,2012
Syria Airport closure no postal deliveries
Due to civil unrest within Syria, the airport in Damascus is closed and mail dispatched through any postal methods has been suspended. Until further notice, please withhold mail from delivery to Pitney Bowes International Services (PBIS) for processing. Mail that is received by PBIS will be processed and forwarded to the applicable foreign postal providers and held there until services are resumed in Syria.
Please note that PBIS will not hold volumes in our US facilities. Should the postal providers advise us to discontinue forwarding of mail, we will update you with an additional communication to hold the volumes in your facilities.
If you need further information, please contact your Pitney Bowes International Services Customer Service Representative.
September 12, 2012
Update: Uruguay Postal Workers Strike
The USPS has announced that international mailing services for the country of Uruguay have resumed on Monday the 10th of September. Any mail volumes that have been held by the USPS during the strike action will be forwarded as quickly as possible. The interruption included all products of international mail products, FCI, EMS, etc. You can anticipate all Priority volumes; IPA, First Class International, EMS, etc to have priority handling within their international streams.
We are unable to obtain an anticipated period of delays at this early stage of the service reinstatement. Should you have any questions please contact your International Services Customer Service team member.
August 29, 2012
U.S. Hurricane Isaac Update
Our support of your business success extends to our commitment to work with you when potential disruptions to your operations occur. According to The National Weather Service, Hurricane Isaac made landfall in the New Orleans area last night. As a result, USPS operations in the Gulf Coast area have been affected by the heavy rain, high winds and flooding associated with the storm.
Please feel free to call your local Customer Service Manager should you have a business need in the days ahead. We also encourage you to check the weather and statements from local authorities to determine what you need to do for your personal safety and protection, as well. We appreciate your business support and urge you to take care during these unsettled conditions.
For detailed updates, we urge you to visit the USPS Mail Service Updates website where you can find detailed information on affected ZIP Codes.
Typhoon Bolaven Russia
The Universal Postal Union has informed us that due to Typhoon Bolaven in Russia's Far East region, there may be delays to express mail services in the following postcode areas: 675000676870; 679000679510; 690000692943; 693000694920.
August 2012
New Standard Mail® Article featured in July/August issue of Mailing Systems Technology
Jim Perkins, Senior Vice President, Pitney Bowes Presort Services has a new featured bylined article in the July/August issue of Mailing Systems Technology. His article titled "The New Standard: Aligning Standard Mail Production to the Needs of Today's Marketers" discusses the breadth of technology in the marketing mix, but emphasizes the importance of Standard Mail as part of a complete multichannel marketing approach. Check out Jim's article.
Uruguay postal workers strike
The Uruguay Postal authority has notified international postal services via a UPU notice that the Association of Postal Officials of Uruguay (AFPU) has gone on strike. As a result, processing of incoming international mail (parcels, EMS and LC / AO) will be temporarily interrupted
At this point in time the USPS has suspended dispatches to Uruguay, however Pitney Bowes International Services will continue to tender volumes routed through our providers, and delays are expected.
Our proprietary Publication volumes are processed through a direct entry program; a combination of hand delivery and domestic postage for PO Box addresses, etc. Domestic items are not subject to the inbound postal suspension and will be and mailed within the country.
More information will be posted as we receive further updates about the situation.
July 5, 2012
Olympic Games
In the weeks leading up to and during the Olympic Games beginning on July 27th and running through, September, Pitney Bowes International Services and the Royal Mail are determined to maintain a regular course of business in processing and delivering your mail.
Due to changing routes, traffic and security restrictions, it is expected that there could be approximately a 1 to 1.5 day delay of service in and around the areas where the Olympics games and festivities are being held.
- Pitney Bowes International Services will continue to distribute mail to our various vendors and agencies.
- The Royal Mail will continue to collect from and deliver mail to businesses and residential addresses six days a week during the Games
- Royal Mail delivery offices will be open at the usual times as well as London's Post Office® branches which will be open for business and to access Royal Mail services
- The Royal Mail has created a dedicated webpage, where you will find the latest information on their plans for the Games by going to www.royalmail.com/2012
If you have any questions regarding your mail, please don't hesitate to contact your Pitney Bowes International Services representative.
June 18, 2012
Pitney Bowes Presort Logistics Center
We are pleased to announce the future opening of our new Presort Services Logistics Center this summer. This brand new 1,600 plus square foot state-of-the art center will enable our operations team to provide customers with the most advanced tracking and visibility into their First-Class™ and Standard Mail as it is en-route to its final destination.
- Round the clock 24/7 service
- Central toll free number with live operator support for all logistics incidents.
- Pre-determined action plans on file paired with front line "on-the-ground" logistics management in the event of an incident.
- Onsite News and Accu Weather enterprise solution software – up to the minute communications to Mail Services drivers in the event of inclement weather or incidents affecting pickups and deliveries.
June 4, 2012
Norway Security Controller Strike
The Norway Post has informed us that security controllers at some airports in Norway have gone on strike as of 8:00 p.m. Friday June 1, 2012
The strike has affected the security checkpoints at several airports as well as the facility in Oslo that is screening outbound mail.
While this strike has direct impact on export priority mail sent by air from Norway, it is not expected to have an impact on inbound mail.
At the moment there is no indication as to when the strike may end.
May 30, 2012
UK Holiday Queen's Jubilee
Beginning Monday June 4th through Tuesday June 5th in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee in the UK, businesses, including the Royal Mail and other mail vendors, will be closed. Unless prior arrangements are arranged and quoted accordingly, normal shipments will not be cleared until Wednesday June 6th.
May 30, 2012
Earthquake in Italy Service Interruptions
Due to the earthquake on May 29th in Northern Italy, collection and delivery activities of parcel and letter mail products will be heavily affected particularly in areas with zip codes from 41034 to 41038.
By Craig Reed, Vice President, Ecommerce Solutions
E-Commerce Times
May 21, 2012
Canada Post Operations will be closed in observance of Victoria Day.
Processing facilities will not be accepting, processing or delivering mail until Tuesday at 11:00 p.m.
May 7, 2012
USPS Prohibition on Outbound International Mailing of Lithium Batteries
Effective May 16, 2012 until January 2013, the Postal Service will not be able to accept packages containing lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries addressed to international destinations.
This change is required by the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), both of which currently prohibit lithium batteries in mail shipments that are carried on international commercial air transportation.
International organizations apply different rules to the carriage of lithium batteries in mail shipments carried on commercial aircraft as compared to domestic requirements.
We anticipate that by January 2013, international aviation rules will be changed to allow mailing of lithium batteries when installed in the personal electronic devices they are intended to operate.
USPS is working with expert organizations to determine if any new exceptions can be developed prior to January 2013. Further announcements will be made should USPS be able to accept lithium batteries in certain types of mail shipments as soon as any new options become available.
This change will not apply to packages containing lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries when mailed within the United States on domestic commercial air or ground transportation.
If you have any questions, please contact your Pitney Bowes Mail Services customer service representative.
May 7, 2012
Fraudulent Email Alert
The United States Postal Inspection Service has sent out an alert that some postal customers are receiving bogus e-mails about a package delivery or online postage charge. The e-mails contain a link or an attachment that, when opened, installs a malicious virus that can steal personal information from your PC.
The e-mails claim to be from the U.S. Postal Service and contain fraudulent information about an attempted or intercepted package delivery. In the e-mail, you are instructed to click on a link or an attachment to find out when you can expect your delivery.
But Postal Inspectors warn: Do not click on the link or open the attachment!
Like most viruses sent by e-mail, clicking on the link will activate a virus that can steal information—such as your user name, password, and financial account information.
For additional security, update your anti-virus software with the latest available pattern files.
As a Pitney Bowes customer, you can track your mailings and packages with the various tools we make available to you or track directly on the USPS website at www.usps.com.
For future reference, please delete any similar messages without taking any further action. The Postal Inspection Service is aware of the situation and working to resolve the issue and shut down the malicious program.
Additional scheme alerts are available on the United States Postal Service web site.
If you have any questions, please contact your Pitney Bowes Mail Services customer service representative.
May 2, 2012
USPS Country Suspensions
The USPS has informed us that effective May 7th, 2012 they will be suspending International Priority Air Lift (IPA) and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) services to the following countries:
- Cuba
- Iran
- North Korea
- Syria
- Sudan
- USPS services - Pitney Bowes International Services will process mail using USPS First Class International (FCI) services and rates. Current postage plus an administrative billing fee will be applied.
- Pitney Bowes International proprietary services - mail using our Priority and Standard Business Mail, Publications and Parcel services will be routed through our internal distribution network to the destination countries. This option may include regional posting or re-mail options as necessary to retain the rates on file and meet our service level commitments.
If you have any questions, please contact your International Service Customer Service Representative.
Official USPS announcement:
IMM Revision: International Priority Airmail and International Surface Air Lift Service Country Suspensions
Effective May 7, 2012, the Postal Service will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) sections 292.452 and 293.452 to temporally suspend International Priority Air¬mail (IPA®) to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria, and International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®) service to Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Syria.
The five countries affected by this revision are currently included in the sanctioned Country Group E:1 listing in 15 C.F.R. Part 740, Supplement 1. As such, temporary measures are being implemented due to the complexity of monitoring outbound shipments to these countries until such time as export sanctions are removed or exports to these countries can be suitably monitored. These changes do not affect any other class of mail to these countries. For example, First-Class Mail International® service remains available to send letter-post items to these destinations.
April 2, 2012
Holiday Alert: Holy Week
Please be advised that this Friday is Good Friday. For most countries throughout Europe, South America, Caribbean and other areas of the globe it is customary to commemorate Holy Week commencing March 30th, 2012 until April 9th, 2012. There is a high possibility that customs will delay cargo during these days, which may result in delayed mail deliveries to these regions during Holy Week. If you have any questions, feel free to contact your Customer Service representative for assistance.
March 28, 2012
China Post Mail Backlog
Recent inquiries regarding postal delivery services throughout China have led us to investigate the nature of the service delays. We have uncovered that the recent Chinese New Year holiday has created a backlog of mail delivery. This has resulted in an extended delivery time for mail and a delay in customs clearance. China Post is working through the backlog, but you may continue to experience some service delays.
March 20, 2012
Australia Flooding Update
Last month, heavy rains caused flooding in northern Australia and disrupted mail delivery to certain areas of the country. Those flood waters are now flowing down rivers and overflowing/flooding into the countryside areas of New South Wales and Victoria. Business districts may not affected.
Below is a list of the postal codes affected by the flood waters. Delivery delays are expected to be between 2 days and 3 weeks.
ACT / NSW
- 3644 Barooga
- 2680 Beelbangera
- 2628 Berridale
- 2680 Bulbul
- 2623 Captains Flat
- 2645 Corowa / Urana
- 2706 Darlington Point
- 2633 Delegate RSD
- 2713 Finley
- 2580 Goulburn
- 2680 Griffith
- 2670 Griffith Warrawidgee
- 2680 Hanwood
- 2642 Jindera / Walla Walla / Walbundrie / Rand / Daysdale
- 2705 Leeton
- 2652 Matong / Boree Creek
- 2700 Narrandera
- 2646 Oaklands / Berrigan
- 2669 Ungarie / Tullibigeal
- 2611 Uriarra
- 2650 Wagga Wagga
- 2582 Yass River Road
- 2681 Yenda
- 2680 Yoogali
Northern Victoria
- 3678 Boorhaman
- 3633 Congupna
- 3646 Dookie
- 3640 Katunga
- 3638 Nathalia SMD
- 3638 Nathalia / Kotupna
- 3638 Nathalia / Waaia
- 3636 Numurkah Rd 1
- 3636 Numurkah SMD
- 3636 Numurkah / Invergordon
- 3636 Numurkah / Naring
- 3634 Tallygaroopna
- 3728 Tungamah
- 3709 Walwa
- 3635 Wunghnu
- 3677 Yarrawonga / Katamatite
- 3677 Yarrawonga / Peechelba
- 3717 Yea Rural
March 2, 2012
New South Wales and Victoria, Australia Flooding
Floods and heavy rains in areas of New South Wales and Victoria, Australia are causing road closures and disrupting the mail delivery to certain towns and postcodes by Australia Post. Australia Post believes that these closures constitute an incident of force majeure.
A list of the postcodes impacted due to the flooding are listed below, however additional rain and flooding may constitute more postcodes being impacted over the next few days. Australia Post will advise of exact impacts after the end of the force majeure.
We will continue to communicate updates as more updates are made available. Please contact your customer service representative for more information about your specific shipments to these areas.
New South Wales Postcodes Impacted:
Central West 2787 2880
Canberra 2575 2599, 2619 2639
Murray and Riverina 2640 2739
Victoria Postcodes Impacted:
3741; 3685; 3683; 3747; 3707; 3637; 3677; 3678; 3669; 3666; 3672; 3631; 3634; 3636; 3677; 3644; 3638; 3631; 3608; 3633; 3570
February, 7 2012
Presort Services Dallas, TX Fire One Year Later
One year ago today, we experienced a devastating fire that destroyed our largest Pitney Bowes Presort Services facility in Grand Prairie, TX. This 100,000+ square foot facility was the presort processing center for hundreds of our customers. Remarkably, no one was hurt, every employee was accounted for, and we made all requested customer pickups and began processing customer mail at other locations within 24 hours of the fire.
On this one year anniversary, we want to say thank you. The support we received from our customers, the local business community, the USPS, and vendors highlights the same spirit of Pitney Bowes and our commitment to each and every one of you.
We learned a great deal from this event, and want to share our experience with you. The following blog highlights the lessons learned and includes more information about business continuity that could help your business plan for the future.
>Read Blog
November 16, 2011
Bangkok, Thailand Flooding
Latest reports available indicate that flood waters have receded and delivery of mail and publications are slowly returning to normal. Pitney Bowes International Services will continue to forward our regularly scheduled volumes and consolidations.
We will continue to post updates as more updates are made available. Please contact your customer service representative for more information about your specific shipments to these areas.
October 28, 2011
USPS Announcement
Postmaster General Pat Donahoe issued a letter and video today to assure mailers that the Postal Service is not going out of business or be privatized. The Postal Service plays a vital role in America's economy and society. This past year USPS delivered 167.6 billion pieces of mail and sustains a $1 trillion mailing industry that employs 8 million people.
This communication will bring you the up-to-date steps the Postal Service is taking on the legislative, network optimization and wages and benefits fronts to ensure the financial health of USPS now and in years to come. The PMG continues to urge Congress to allow the move from six-day delivery schedule to five days per week. On the retail front, the USPS is studying whether to close up to 3,700 retail facilities, and we continue to consolidate delivery routes. USPS is also developing a proposal to adjust service standards and Critical Entry Times for First-Class and Periodicals to allow the streamlining of the mail processing network.
This is a very important message that needs to be shared with your members and co-workers. Please feel free to distribute and post on your website.
The Latest Global Holiday Schedule
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