USA Delivery Update: How I’m Keeping Your Map Orders Moving (and Free) — in the US and Europe

Published: 27 August 2025

TL;DR: Royal Mail has temporarily paused parcel acceptance to the USA while it transitions to new US customs rules. To keep things smooth (and delivery free), I’m producing Mike Bell Maps prints locally in your destination country - in the United States and across Europe - so your order ships domestically with no border delays. You can still order as usual on mikebellmaps.com.

What’s happening?

• Royal Mail to temporarily pause to the USA: The UK Post Office has flagged a temporary suspension of Royal Mail and Parcelforce services to the United States. At the same time, carriers adapt to new US import rules. They specifically note that you can use Evri or DPD international services in the meantime, where available.

• Why the change? The US is removing the long‑standing duty‑free “de minimis” treatment for low-value imports and introducing new customs requirements. Royal Mail is moving to a new PDDP (Postal Delivery Duties Paid) approach to meet these requirements, with a short changeover window this week. Royal Mail says existing USA services are being withdrawn from Tuesday 26 August, with new PDDP services expected from Thursday 28 August, ahead of rules taking effect Friday 29 August 2025.

• Wider context: Several European postal operators have also paused some US‑bound parcels while systems are updated for the new rules.

How I’m keeping your orders moving (and delivery free)

To avoid any disruption (and extra costs for you), I’ve switched US and European orders to local production:

• Printed in the destination country:
  US orders are printed at partner labs in the USA. EU orders are printed within the EU, typically in your own country or the nearest hub. That means domestic shipping, no international hand‑offs, and no unexpected customs delays.

• Free delivery stays free:
  Because your map is produced and shipped locally, I can keep offering free delivery, even while traditional cross‑border postal routes are in flux.

• Same gallery quality:
  I use a small network of trusted print partners who match my calibrated papers and inks. Your map will look exactly as intended.

• Faster, lower‑carbon logistics:
  Local fulfilment shortens the journey from press to door and reduces transport emissions - good for timelines and the planet.

Bottom line: Order as usual at mikebellmaps.com - your map will be made near you and sent with tracked domestic delivery.

What this means if you’re ordering from…

United States

• Orders are printed and shipped domestically in the US.

• No international customs handling on your end.

• Delivery times are in line with standard US domestic services.

European Union / EEA / UK

• EU orders print within the EU (often in-country) and ship domestically or intra-EU.

• UK orders are unaffected for UK delivery.

If you need to post something to the USA yourself

• Check the Post Office status first: The Post Office’s page shows the current position and clearly states Royal Mail/Parcelforce USA services are temporarily suspended, with Evri and DPD as alternatives (where available). 

• Royal Mail’s USA update page: Royal Mail explains the new PDDP service, the removal of duty-free treatment for low-value goods, and the timing of the changeover, which is scheduled for this week. Gifts under $100 remain duty‑free; letters/cards are unaffected. 

• Alternative couriers:

  • Evri has published guidance on the new US tariffs and how they collect duties; their international services may still be able to carry items to the US during the Royal Mail pause.

  • DPD international services are available through thousands of Post Office branches following their expanded partnership earlier this year. 

FAQs

Q: Will my US/EU map cost more because of these new tariffs?
A: No. Your map is printed and shipped locally in the destination country, so there’s no new import duty to worry about, and I’m keeping delivery free.

Q: Are letters and greeting cards affected?
A: No - Royal Mail says personal correspondence (no goods) is not subject to the new duties.

Q: When will Royal Mail resume US parcel services?
A: Royal Mail indicates a short transition while they switch to their new PDDP service, with availability targeted from 28 August 2025 and the new US requirements effective 29 August 2025. If you’re sending something yourself, check their pages for the latest.

Thanks for your support

I know changes like this can be unclear. By producing maps closer to you, I can keep standards high, shipping free, and orders moving—whatever the international rules are doing in the background.

If you have any questions about a specific destination or a tight deadline, please don't hesitate to contact me via the contact page. And if you’re mailing your own items to the US, start with the Post Office update and Royal Mail’s USA page for the most current guidance.

Sources & official updates

• Post Office: international services status and alternatives (Evri/DPD). PostOffice

• Royal Mail: USA service changeover dates, PDDP, and removal of low‑value duty‑free. Royal Mail

• AP News: European postal suspensions amid the US de minimis change. AP News

— Mike