Pakistan Post has halted parcel bookings to the United States for one month, leading to significant financial repercussions and disruption of trade for Pakistani businesses.
The suspension, which began on Monday, has caused a considerable setback, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses anticipated due to the halt in parcel bookings.
The closure has resulted in the cancellation of orders sent through e-commerce platforms, severely impacting the export of Pakistani products to the US and affecting the national exchequer.
According to sources within Pakistan Post, the primary reason for the suspension is the non-payment of compensation to American shipping companies. Additionally, the Pakistan Post has cited issues with improper parcel packing as a contributing factor.
An inquiry report from the Directorate General of Pakistan Post highlighted several deficiencies that led to the suspension. These include missing Electronic Advanced Data (EAD), incorrect classification of letter mail, and improper ITMATT messaging for small-sized registered letters sent to the US.
The report also noted that incorrect information was filled in mandatory fields by the booking staff, leading to errors and subsequent rejection of mail by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
The impact of the suspension extends beyond financial losses, as it has disrupted the trade flow and damaged the reputation of Pakistani products in the American market. Small businessmen and e-commerce sellers have urged the government to address the issue promptly and resume the delivery of goods to the US through Pakistan Post.
In contrast, parcel and mail bookings to the United Kingdom and other countries remain unaffected. The Pakistan Post has yet to provide a timeline for resuming services to the US, leaving many concerned about the prolonged disruption to international trade.
