ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Post has suspended parcel bookings to the United States for one month, resulting in substantial financial losses estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The suspension has also led to the cancellation of e-commerce orders sent through the postal service.
The disruption has not only halted the trade of Pakistani products in the US but has also negatively affected the national exchequer. Sources within Pakistan Post revealed that the closure is due to non-payment of compensation to American shipping companies and issues related to parcel packing.
An inquiry report from the Directorate General of Pakistan Post identified several issues contributing to the problem, including deficiencies in Electronic Advanced Data (EAD) and incorrect classification of mail. Small-sized registered letters were reportedly sent to the US without proper ITMATT (International Mail Arrival and Transit Tracking) messages or with faulty information, leading to rejections by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
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The report also highlighted that booking staff had entered incorrect information in mandatory fields, exacerbating the issue.
In response, small business owners and e-commerce sellers have urged the government to address the situation and ensure the resumption of parcel deliveries to the US. Meanwhile, bookings for parcels and mail to the United Kingdom and other countries continue as usual.
