BENGALURU: The effects of the 50% tariff imposed by the United States on imports from India are being sharply felt at Bengaluru’s General Post Office (GPO) in Cubbon Park. Officials said the number of parcels booked for shipping to the US plunged from 57 in July to just 27 in the first 24 days of August — a drop of more than 50%.
Why parcel bookings are falling
GPO officials attributed the decline to higher shipment costs following the tariff hike. Until recently, packages valued at under $800 were exempt from US duties. However, under the new rules, any shipment worth more than $100 now attracts stiff duties.
The drop is significant because the August figures should typically have seen an increase, as students return to the US for the fall semester. In comparison, June — when shipments usually dip due to the summer break — recorded 32 bookings.
Postal services suspended
India has now suspended all postal services to the US under the new duty regime. This means families in Bengaluru will either have to pay much higher charges via private couriers or stop sending parcels altogether.
A majority of consignments from the city are sent by families of students and professionals living in the US, often containing food, medicines, or essentials.
Families bear the brunt
Geeta, whose daughter studies at Arizona State University, said she used to send monthly packages of spices and pickles. “My packages would cost around ₹5,000 depending on weight. Through private services, the same parcels now cost ₹8,000–10,000,” she said.
Similarly, Delilah, a pre-med student in Oregon, said her family frequently sent her food and medicines that were costlier in the US. “Now I doubt they’ll be able to send me stuff that often anymore,” she said.
In another case, Anitha, the mother of a dental professional in Boston, said she was unable to mail important documents after local post office staff informed her that US-bound services had been suspended. Meanwhile, another family saw their parcel rejected because it contained food items that did not qualify as “gift articles.”
Postal department response
Officials at the Chief Post Master General’s Office said they had not yet received formal grievances from customers but confirmed the situation was being monitored closely. A senior GPO source told Deccan Herald that efforts were underway to restore services at the earliest.
Until then, families and students reliant on India Post’s relatively affordable international parcel system are left grappling with higher costs and disrupted access to essentials.