La Poste has clarified the rules for sending letters and documents from France to the United States after weeks of confusion and mixed messages that left many Americans living in France uncertain about their ability to mail important paperwork.
The French postal service confirmed that sending letters and documents to the US remains possible, but with specific limitations on how postage can be applied. According to La Poste representatives, the franking services for letters and documents destined for the US are currently unavailable, meaning that in-branch postage machines and the online La Poste service cannot be used for such mailings.
Instead, individuals must visit a post office counter in person to send letters and documents to the United States. At the counter, customers have three options for applying postage: using the purple international posting stamp, affixing stamps up to the correct amount of postage, or sending the item via Lettres Recommandées Internationales (international tracked mail). The standard ‘suivi’ (tracked) mail service is not available for letters and documents sent to the US.
The clarification comes after numerous reports from Americans in France who were told by La Poste staff that sending any type of mail to the US was impossible, including critical documents such as tax returns and voter registration forms. La Poste acknowledged the confusion and stated that while the franking services are suspended, alternative methods remain available at physical post office locations.
For packages, the situation is more complex due to recent changes in US customs regulations. The United States government eliminated the ‘de minimis’ exemption, which previously allowed goods valued under $800 to enter the country duty-free. Now, import taxes are levied from the first dollar on most goods other than narrowly defined ‘presents,’ and these charges must be paid by the sender in France rather than the recipient in the US.
La Poste has restarted its Colissimo parcel delivery service to the US after a period of suspension, during which only the more expensive Chronopost service or private couriers were available for parcel shipments. However, sending parcels via Colissimo now requires labels to be purchased online and printed out before dropping off the package at a post office.
The changes in US customs policy have significantly impacted international shipping costs and procedures, affecting not only individuals sending personal items but also small businesses engaged in cross-border e-commerce. La Poste advises customers to check the latest requirements on their official website before sending any mail or parcels to the United States to ensure compliance with current regulations.
As of the latest update, La Poste continues to monitor the situation and will provide further guidance if there are any changes to the mailing rules for letters, documents, or packages destined for the United States. Individuals seeking the most current information are encouraged to visit their local post office or consult the official La Poste website for service updates and detailed instructions.