Making sure your business delivers

Sri Lanka 12.01.2026

by | Jan 12, 2026 | Service Alerts, Sri Lanka

The designated operator of Sri Lanka, the Department of Posts, wishes to inform Union member countries and their designated operators that the entire country is experiencing extreme weather conditions and a red level cyclone warning has been issued. Heavy rain and strong winds are causing severe flooding and landslides.As a result, operations across the entire postal network have been suspended with effect from 27 November 2025. Accordingly, delays are to be expected for all mail operations and the Department of Posts will be unable to meet declared delivery standards for all mail until further notice.

Indonesia 12.01.2026

by | Jan 12, 2026 | Indonesia, Service Alerts

The designated operator of Indonesia, Pos Indonesia, would like to inform Union member countries and their designated operators that the recent extreme weather conditions in Aceh Province on 28 and 29 November 2025, including heavy rainfall and flooding, have affected road access and the smooth distribution of postal items along several major routes. A number of national and provincial roads have been damaged, including collapsed bridges and significant flooding, disrupting the movement of operational vehicles. The situation report as of 28 November 2025 is as follows Areas operating normally: Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Pidie, Pidie Jaya, parts of Lhokseumawe, Aceh Jaya, Aceh Barat, Abdya, Aceh Selatan, Subulussalam, Simeulue, Sabang, and parts of Nagan Raya. Affected areas owing to flooding or landslides: Bireuen (collapsed bridges on Jalan Medan–Banda Aceh and Jalan Raya Bireuen–Takengon), Lhokseumawe and Aceh Utara (several sections inaccessible owing to flooding), Aceh Timur (passable only for heavy vehicles because of flooding), Aceh Tamiang, Bener Meriah, Aceh Tengah, Gayo Lues (routes disconnected), Aceh Tenggara (severe landslide damage), and several points in Nagan Raya and Aceh Singkil (collapsed bridges and damaged roads). These conditions may cause delays in the processing and delivery of inbound and domestic postal items destined for affected areas in Aceh, particularly in regions where road access is currently blocked on account of flooding, damaged bridges or landslides. Pos Indonesia continues to monitor the situation closely with the authorities and is implementing mitigation measures to maintain service continuity to the extent possible.

Customs & Duty Update | What YOU Need to Know for 2026

by | Jan 6, 2026 | News

 

 As we move into 2026, there have been a number of reports around new customs related taxes and handling fees being applied to parcels entering certain EU destinations.

Here’s where things currently stand 👇

EU National Updates (Early 2026)

• France – No new tax was introduced on 1 January 2026. Current indications suggest a €2 per parcel charge may instead be introduced in February or March.

• Romania – The government has announced a mandatory 25 RON (approx. €5) charge on low-value parcels under €150. This was expected from 1 January 2026, but formal implementation is still pending.

Much like the US situation earlier this year, developments are moving quickly and announcements continue to evolve.

🌍 Looking Ahead: What’s Coming in 2026 & Beyond

United States

While 2025 was dominated by the removal of the US de minimis threshold, the US story is far from over. A pending Supreme Court ruling on the legality of IEEPA tariffs could potentially open the door to tariff refund claims — although any such process would be complex and far from guaranteed.
Should IEEPA be ruled unlawful, it is highly unlikely that the administration would simply forgo the significant revenue generated. Alternative measures could follow, including expanded Section 232 tariffs or broader Section 301 investigations.
There is also an outstanding proposal to apply base rates of duty to postal shipments, aligning postal and commercial channels. CBP rulemaking is expected in late February, although both the scope and timing could be impacted by the Supreme Court decision.

New Zealand

Changes to New Zealand levies are scheduled to come into force from 1 April 2026.

European Union

Major Changes Ahead

From 1 July 2026, the EU will withdraw the duty de minimis threshold. This will introduce a fixed €3 customs duty on low-value consignments under €150.

• VAT will continue to apply from the first euro
• The €3 duty will be applied per HS code, not per parcel
For example: 2 identical T-shirts and 1 dress = €6 duty

This is a temporary solution until 2028, when a permanent regime will be introduced applying duty from the first euro based on HS classification and origin.

Separately, the EU is also discussing a proposed €2 European handling fee, expected around November 2026, intended to cover customs processing costs for e-commerce shipments.

Several member states are already moving ahead with national handling fees, with varying rates and timelines — making the landscape increasingly complex.

🔑 What’s clear as we head through 2026?

Change is constant.

Accurate data, correct classification, and expert guidance are more critical than ever. Working with the right partners and carriers can make the difference between disruption and control.

UKP Worldwide has solutions in place to support retailers through these evolving duty, tariff, and customs challenges –  across the EU, US, and beyond.

📩 Get in touch with the team to discuss how these changes may impact your cross-border shipping strategy.

A new year, but the duty and tariff challenges continue.