Service Alert - 02 June 2023



In an effort to ensure you’re aware of any service disruptions that may impact your business, please see the postal and carrier alerts and updates around the globe.

We will update regularly with continuing news and information as we receive it, in order to keep your operations informed.



Around the Globe

PHILIPPINES

Due to a fire that devastated the Manila Central Post Office please expect delays in the delivery of mail and parcels to the Philippines.

Expected delays: 1-2 weeks


BRAZIL

We regret to inform you that Brazil customs is currently experiencing a strike by its personnel. This may cause a delay in the processing and clearance of parcels.


FRANCE

Due to technical and transport issues at our partner Colis Prive please expect delays in the delivery of parcels to Toulouse, Nice and Marseille.

Expected delays: 2-4 days


SPAIN

Heavy rainfall causes business and transportation disruptions in Spain: On May 23, heavy rainfall in many regions of Spain had already caused business and transportation disruptions. Cities such as Murcia, Alicante, Cartagena, Gipuzkoa, and Navarra were severely impacted. Many road links in the affected cities have been cut off while train services between Cartagena and Murcia have also been suspended. According to media sources, the rainfall will continue, and authorities have placed several regions on orange and yellow alert. Further business and transportation disruptions caused by flooding should be noticed.


AUSTRIA

Thunderstorms caused damage and disruptions in Styria: Media sources report that severe thunderstorms on May 23 caused flooding and other damage in in the Styria region of Austria. Heavy rain and burst riverbanks inundated low-lying streets while hail and strong winds have damaged buildings and spread debris on roads. Graz was the worst impacted area; less significant damage was also reported in the regions of Lower Austria and Burgenland. Business and transport disruptions will likely persist in the coming days.


PORTUGAL

Heavy rains cause flash floods in Lisbon: Media sources report that heavy rains led to flash floods in Lisbon on May 24. The south and northeast areas of the city were worst affected. Roads were reportedly inundated, and several trees had fallen. Transport and business disruptions are likely through May 25 as authorities conduct clean-up operations.


ITALY

Heavy Rain causes flash flooding in Avellino: Media sources report that heavy rain caused flash flooding in Italy’s Avellino province on May 25. According to reports, sudden and intense rainfall resulted in streets and roadways being submerged; one fatality has been recorded. Resultant business and transport disruptions are likely to continue over the coming days.


FRANCE

Demonstrations planned for May 30: Local media sources on May 29 report that a demonstration has been planned for May 30 in Compiègne in Oise, France, against the pension reform. The demonstration called for by Solidaires, FSU, and CGT will start at 18:30 local time. Disruptions to traffic operations are likely.


GERMANY

Blocking Handling of Trucks Causing Highway Congestion through May 19: Media sources on May 17 report significant traffic congestion on the A93 Highway due to block handling of trucks at the Austrian border. Queues of traffic can reach 27 km, extending as far as the A8 Highway near Rosenheim. Block handling measures began on May 15 and are scheduled through May 19. Increased traffic congestion and road traffic disruption is likely on the A93 and A8 Highways, in addition to nearby local roads, during this period.


CONGO

Due to heavy floods, please expect delays in the delivery of mail and parcels to Congo.

Expected delays: 1-2 weeks


ITALY

Due to extreme weather conditions, we are experiencing delays in the delivery of mail and parcels to Italy. Forli, Ancona, Bologna, Cesena, Ravenna, Feanza, Modena, and Pesaro Urbino are the most affected areas.

Poste Italiane has been unable to guarantee collections and deliveries (for any products) in certain parts of these regions since Wednesday, 17 May 2023. In particular:


Poste Italiane is taking all necessary steps to minimize inconvenience for its customers and restore connections with the affected areas as soon as possible.


MEXICO

Due to transportation issues within the Mexican post network at the airport and backlogs created by the closure of the airport on 20 May, we are experiencing delays in the delivery of mail and parcels to Mexico.

Expected delays: 1-2 weeks


UNITED KINGDOM

Security workers to strike on 8 days in May at London Heathrow Airport: Media sources indicated on April 19 that security workers at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom, have announced to go on strike on 8 days during May. The strikes are scheduled to take place on May 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 25, 26, and 27. Flight disruptions on these days are to be expected.


CHILE

Due to IT issues in Chile, tracking information for items to Chile may be disrupted.


ISRAEL

The designated operator of Israel, Israel Postal Company, would like us to inform you that interruptions and delays in the distribution and collection of mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) may be experienced in the south of the country as a result of the security situation since 10 May 2023.


USA

Heavy rainfall causes flash flooding in northern New Orleans: Media sources reported on May 10 that heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in northern New Orleans, Louisiana, on the same day. According to reports, continuous heavy rainfall with totals reaching up to 4.82 inches was recorded between Lakeview and Metairie. Customers can expect lingering disruptions to business and transportation operations as flooding recedes.


ITALY

Several unions announce nationwide ground handler strike on May 19: Italian media sources report that several unions are threatening to call for a nationwide ground handler strike at all Italian airports on May 19. The strike has been called after negotiations for a new contract for ground handlers stalled. The duration of the strike is likely to be 24 hours. Customers can expect delays to airport operations during the strike.


CANADA

Authorities declare state of emergency due to flooding: Media sources on May 1 reported that Canadian authorities declared a state of emergency in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec following heavy flooding. According to reports, heavy rainfall had caused the Gouffre and Mares Rivers to overflow at approximately 12:05 local time on the same day. At least 7,300 residents had been evacuated. Thousands of power outages were reported. Route 138 in the area has been closed to traffic. The state of emergency is expected to last for 48 hours. Customers can expect business and transportation disruptions to persist until floodwaters subside.


UNITED KINGDOM

Royal Mail continues to dispatch export mails for all subclasses utilizing international mail processing center (IMPC) codes GBLALE and GBATHA through the UPU Postal Technology Centre’s IPS Cloud solution. Outbound dispatches are still being delayed and tracking elements impacted owing to the fact that the Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre (HWDC) is not currently fully operational.

Import letter-post volumes to the UK are being subjected to continued delays, which is negatively affecting quality of service owing to the need to use contingency operational sites, processes and routings in the UK to mitigate the lack of processing capability at the HWDC import office of exchange.

Clearance delays should be expected.


NORWAY

Due to a national strike in Norway please expect delays in the delivery of mail and parcels to Norway.


CYPRUS

Postal systems face disruptions due to flooding: Intelligence received by Everstream Analytics on April 11 indicated that multiple postal systems have been out of service since April 10 due to flooding in the government premises in Cyprus.

The following systems are reportedly unavailable: POS located at post office counters, IPS, and the Customs Declaration System (CDS).

Consequently, delays may be experienced in the delivery of items, dispatch of outbound items and transmission of ITMATT electronic data interchange (EDI) messages.


AUSTRALIA

Authorities close National Highway 1 between Port Hedland and Broome:Media sources on April 14 reported that authorities have closed National Highway 1 between Port Hedland and Broome in Western Australia, Australia. The closure is due to the passage of Cyclone Ilsa. At the time of writing, it is unclear when the highway would reopen to traffic.


UNITED STATES

Evacuation warning issued for parts of Fresno county due to flooding risks:Media sources on April 13 reported that an evacuation warning has been issued for parts of Fresno county, California, United States. Local authorities reportedly implemented the measures due to flooding risks potentially impacting the northeast areas of Piedra Road and Highway 180. The Kings River continues to rise as snow melts and water releases are currently increased. Disruptions to logistics and business operations are expected until the flooding risks decrease.


CROATIA

Mail and parcels with destination Croatia are not able to be tracked in country of destination due to an IT issue at HR Post, the postal operator in Croatia.


SAINT LUCIA

Due to the absence of available flights, please expect delays in the delivery of mail and parcels to Saint Lucia.


CANADA'S BAN ON CERTAIN HARMFUL SINGLE-USE PLASTICS

Effective December 20, 2022, the manufacture and import for sale of the following harmful single-use plastics in Canada will be prohibited:


To provide businesses in Canada with enough time to transition and to deplete their existing stocks, the Regulations will enter into force through a phased approach:


* Exceptions to the ban on straws allow single-use plastic flexible straws to remain available for people in Canada who require them for medical or accessibility reasons. This includes for use at home, in social settings, or in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and long term care facilities. All other types of single-use plastic straws will be prohibited.


NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MEXICO

Due to local capacity backlogs in Northern and Central Mexico, recipients may experience delays of up to a week in the delivery of mail and parcels.

Mexico City and Southern areas are seeing a lesser impact.


RUSSIA, AFGHANISTAN

No Russian and Afghanistan transportation as of yet. International Transportation will keep us posted


BELARUS SERVICE SUSPENSION - EFFECTIVE 22 JULY 2022

Due to restrictions imposed by governments and/or carriers related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask that you please not send any shipments destined to Belarus until further notice.

Please note, if material to Belarus is received by APC accidentally, we will ship once restrictions have been lifted and service resumes.

If you have any additional questions, please contact your Customer Service Representative or your Sales Representative.


UKRAINE

The designated operator of Ukraine, Joint Stock Company “Ukrposhta”, wishes to update all on the situation with postal operations following the Russian Federation’s military actions towards Ukraine.

Situation as of 10.00 on Monday, 28 February 2022:

Despite ongoing heavy fighting in Kyiv, other major cities and other locations in Ukraine, Ukrposhta has opened post offices in 20 regions, so that customers can receive pensions and other benefits, and receive parcels. The working hours of most open post offices will be reduced to enable staff to return home earlier.

With road access for postal exchanges with its centre in Kyiv severely limited, Ukrposhta has moved some outbound mail processing operations to the Lviv office of exchange.

Ukrposhta is again asking the designated operators of other Union member countries to send their international postal items to Ukraine in closed transit via Poland, Slovakia or Latvia. Ukrposhta is collecting the consignments from those countries.

Ukrposhta is doing its best to deliver all incoming postal items to addressees in Ukraine as quickly as possible; however, this will depend on the security situation in specific locations, as the lives of staff and customers are the top priority.

Many designated operators have asked how they can help Ukraine, so a special “Help Ukraine” project (helpukraine.center/en) has been launched to provide humanitarian aid. Currently, the project involves one warehouse in Poland, but more will be added, probably also in other countries. A green corridor will be organized for such humanitarian aid. Those wishing to help Ukraine are asked to use this special warehouse as a transhipment terminal.

If postal customers abroad wish to send aid to specific addressees in Ukraine, they are kindly requested to send it in closed transit via the Polish, Slovak or Latvian Post. The value of such private parcels may not exceed 100 EUR.

Ukrposhta is grateful for all the incredible support that the world is providing to Ukraine and to Ukrposhta at this difficult time. It will continue to inform the international postal community about any developments.


Holidays

Thursday, 01 June 2023

ROMANIA: International Children's Day

Monday, 05 June 2023

ITALY: June Bank Holiday
FRANCE, GERMANY, NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, AUSTRIA, CYPRUS, GREECE, DENMARK, HUNGARY, LUXEMBOURG, NORWAY, SWITZERLAND, ROMANIA, ICELAND, NEW ZEALAND: Whit Monday

Tuesday, 06 June 2023

SWEDEN: National Day

Wednesday, 07 June 2023

MALTA: Sette Giugno

Thursday, 08 June 2023

GERMANY, AUSTRIA, POLAND, PORTUGAL, CROATIA, SWITZERLAND: Corpus Cristi



Country Specific Restrictions Due to COVID-19



Due to restrictions imposed by governments and/or carriers due to the COVID-19 outbreak, please do not send any shipments to the following countries until further notice:


Country Restrictions


Service has been RESTORED to the following countries:

Due to the current backlog of items on hold, please allow additional processing time for these countries.


02 JUNE 2023


28 APRIL 2023


31 MARCH 2023


02 DECEMBER 2022


11 MARCH 2022:


04 MARCH 2022:


04 FEBRUARY 2022


14 JANUARY 2022:


10 SEPTEMBER 2021:


06 AUGUST 2021:


09 JULY 2021:


18 JUNE 2021:


28 MAY 2021:


14 MAY 2021:


07 MAY 2021:


02 APRIL 2021:


26 MARCH 2021:


05 MARCH 2021:


05 FEBRUARY 2021:


29 JANUARY 2021:


08 JANUARY 2021:


Customers should expect delays to all counties where mail and parcels are being accepted for delivery.


Brazil Customs Requirement



We have been informed that effective January 1, 2020, Brazil Customs will require the importer's Tax Identification Number** to be provided for all items containing goods sent to recipients in Brazil.

Customs is stating that it will not accept shipments not containing this number and that items missing this information is subject to return.

Please note, APC will continue to ship all packages destined to Brazil normally, with or without the recipient Tax ID number included but recommends that you begin gathering the required information from your Brazilian recipients to minimize any potential returns due to the Tax ID number not being included on the address label.

Please contact your APC sales representative if you have questions.

_________________________________________

** In Brazil, the importer's Tax ID Number is known as CPF (format: 000.000.000-00) for natural persons and CNPJ (format: 00.000.000/0000-00) for legal persons

Embargoed Countries



Due to international embargoes all volumes to the following destinations will cease with effect 30th July 2019:
• Iran
• North Korea
• Syria
• Sudan
• Somalia
• Ukraine (Crimea and Sevastopol only - remaining country can be dispatched)