Alternate Transportation Arrangements Being Made
WASHINGTON —The Postal Service is using all available airlift, rerouting mail through alternate airports and booking available ground transportation to move international mail in response to the ongoing closure of airports throughout Europe.
Many international airports remain closed due to the plume of volcanic ash blanketing extensive areas of the continent.
Retail employees at Post Offices and other locations are continuing to accept mail to all destinations in Europe, and are advising customers that service delays can be expected and guarantees for delivery have been suspended.
“We’ve been working around the clock with the European posts and our air carriers to keep the mail moving,” said Mike Nappi, executive director of International Operations for Global Business. “We have a flexible network, and we’re exploring every available transportation option.”
As a result of the airport closures, the service guarantee for Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) service to destinations in Europe is unavailable due to an act of nature, as covered within the terms and conditions for GXG shipments.
The service guarantee for Express Mail International (EMI) to destinations in France, Great Britain and Spain also has been temporarily suspended. Military mail to and from European destinations is being impacted, while mail destined for military destinations in the war zones is operating normally.
Nappi said the International Service Centers in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami are continuing to process mail destined for Europe, and air carriers are continuing to accept it.
Perishable items are not currently being accepted for shipment to the following nations:
| Austria | Germany | Slovenia |
| Belgium | Ireland | Slovakia |
| Croatia | Netherlands | Switzerland |
| Czech Republic | Norway | Sweden |
| Denmark | Poland | Ukraine |
| Estonia | Romania | United Kingdom |
| Finland | Russia | |
| France | Serbia |
The situation with air traffic into and out of Europe remains fluid, and normal service operations will resume at the earliest possible time. Additional information regarding acceptance and movement of mail to Europe will be provided as it becomes available. Customers can monitor the status of their shipments on usps.com or contact Customer Service at 1-800-222-1811. Additional information and updates are posted online at: International Service Updates .