<blockquote><i class="fas fa-quote-left"></i><i>The Stylist</i> wrote:<br><p><em>For members’ convenience, we are sharing below the advisory that was previously sent by email regarding mailing restrictions affecting the United States. Please review the information carefully. Because postal regulations may change without prior notice, we recommend that all members confirm the latest requirements directly with their local postal authority or carrier before sending items.</em></p> <hr /> <p>Dear Snail Mail Friends,</p> <p>We want to inform you about the current mailing situation that affects swaps with members in the United States. From the Netherlands, and in many other countries as well, postal restrictions are in place for mail going to the USA. </p> <p><strong>From the Dutch perspective (where Snail Mail Friends is based):</strong></p> <ul> <li>Packages and parcels from the Netherlands to the USA cannot currently be sent.</li> <li>Letters and documents are technically still accepted, but PostNL’s online system no longer allows the purchase of digital stamps for U.S.-bound mail. Physical stamps may still be used, but there is no guarantee how they will be processed.</li> </ul> <p>The Netherlands is not alone: <strong>many other countries face similar restrictions</strong>. Exact rules differ, so please check with your local postal service for the most accurate updates.</p> <p><strong>For members outside the U.S.:</strong></p> <ul> <li>If you cannot send swaps to the USA, please let us know. We will extend your “send by” dates</li> <li>Please prepare your swaps in advance, so they are ready to go once services resume.</li> </ul> <p><strong>For our members in the U.S.:</strong></p> <p>This situation is an example of force majeure - circumstances beyond anyone’s control.</p> <ul> <li>Swaps may be delayed for an extended period.</li> <li>Your international partners cannot be held responsible for these delays - this is part of the nature of regular post.</li> <li>All swaps that have already been agreed on remain valid. They are not cancelled - only postponed. Once mailing bans are lifted, your partners will still send them, and your mailboxes may be happily overflowing.</li> </ul> <p>We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates as soon as possible.</p> <p>Thank you for your patience, kindness, and for helping keep the joy of snail mail alive in our community. </p> <hr /> <p><strong>Note:</strong></p> <p><em>Snail Mail Friends is a membership community that connects people for swaps. Swap commitments are made between members. Snail Mail Friends facilitates coordination but is not a postal service and cannot be held responsible for postal suspensions, customs restrictions, delays, or losses. Membership fees support the platform and community, not delivery guarantees. Postal rules vary by country and may change without notice. Deadlines will always be adjusted fairly when restrictions make sending temporarily impossible (force majeure / overmacht).</em></p></blockquote><br>

<p><em>For members’ convenience, we are sharing below the advisory that was previously sent by email regarding mailing restrictions affecting the United States. Please review the information carefully. Because postal regulations may change without prior notice, we recommend that all members confirm the latest requirements directly with their local postal authority or carrier before sending items.</em></p> <hr /> <p>Dear Snail Mail Friends,</p> <p>We want to inform you about the current mailing situation that affects swaps with members in the United States. From the Netherlands, and in many other countries as well, postal restrictions are in place for mail going to the USA. </p> <p><strong>From the Dutch perspective (where Snail Mail Friends is based):</strong></p> <ul> <li>Packages and parcels from the Netherlands to the USA cannot currently be sent.</li> <li>Letters and documents are technically still accepted, but PostNL’s online system no longer allows the purchase of digital stamps for U.S.-bound mail. Physical stamps may still be used, but there is no guarantee how they will be processed.</li> </ul> <p>The Netherlands is not alone: <strong>many other countries face similar restrictions</strong>. Exact rules differ, so please check with your local postal service for the most accurate updates.</p> <p><strong>For members outside the U.S.:</strong></p> <ul> <li>If you cannot send swaps to the USA, please let us know. We will extend your “send by” dates</li> <li>Please prepare your swaps in advance, so they are ready to go once services resume.</li> </ul> <p><strong>For our members in the U.S.:</strong></p> <p>This situation is an example of force majeure - circumstances beyond anyone’s control.</p> <ul> <li>Swaps may be delayed for an extended period.</li> <li>Your international partners cannot be held responsible for these delays - this is part of the nature of regular post.</li> <li>All swaps that have already been agreed on remain valid. They are not cancelled - only postponed. Once mailing bans are lifted, your partners will still send them, and your mailboxes may be happily overflowing.</li> </ul> <p>We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates as soon as possible.</p> <p>Thank you for your patience, kindness, and for helping keep the joy of snail mail alive in our community. </p> <hr /> <p><strong>Note:</strong></p> <p><em>Snail Mail Friends is a membership community that connects people for swaps. Swap commitments are made between members. Snail Mail Friends facilitates coordination but is not a postal service and cannot be held responsible for postal suspensions, customs restrictions, delays, or losses. Membership fees support the platform and community, not delivery guarantees. Postal rules vary by country and may change without notice. Deadlines will always be adjusted fairly when restrictions make sending temporarily impossible (force majeure / overmacht).</em></p>

<blockquote><i class="fas fa-quote-left"></i><i>2imagine4</i> wrote:<br><p>[<strong>Update 13-09-2025</strong>]</p> <p>In my experience, regular letters have been delivered without issues and usually within the normal timeframe of about 12 days (NL>>US)</p> <p>One item I have not yet received confirmation of was <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not part of a Snail Mail Friends swap</span>. It was a special case that included non-paper/documents, which under postal regulations normally require a label. My understanding was that, since it was a non-commercial gift and sealed flat, it might still be processed as letter mail.</p> <p>Because I did not use the digital label, I applied a paper CN22 label instead. While the CN22 itself is valid, I also wanted to see how the U.S. system handles tariff and customs requirements. Since the USA requires electronic customs data in addition to the physical label, it’s possible the item was delayed in the system or set aside for extra inspection. It might even have been held up in the Netherlands before export, without me being notified. In some cases, the recipient may be asked to cover handling costs or fees. If that happens, they can decline the item, in which case it should be returned to me. In the worst case, if return is not possible, the postal service may destroy it.</p> <p>If the item does not arrive, I regret the loss and will arrange a replacement once I am able to obtain the appropriate labels again. I’ll keep you updated on the progress and share what I learn from the postal system along the way.</p> <p>[<strong>/Update 13-09-2025</strong>]</p></blockquote><br>

<p>[<strong>Update 13-09-2025</strong>]</p> <p>In my experience, regular letters have been delivered without issues and usually within the normal timeframe of about 12 days (NL>>US)</p> <p>One item I have not yet received confirmation of was <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not part of a Snail Mail Friends swap</span>. It was a special case that included non-paper/documents, which under postal regulations normally require a label. My understanding was that, since it was a non-commercial gift and sealed flat, it might still be processed as letter mail.</p> <p>Because I did not use the digital label, I applied a paper CN22 label instead. While the CN22 itself is valid, I also wanted to see how the U.S. system handles tariff and customs requirements. Since the USA requires electronic customs data in addition to the physical label, it’s possible the item was delayed in the system or set aside for extra inspection. It might even have been held up in the Netherlands before export, without me being notified. In some cases, the recipient may be asked to cover handling costs or fees. If that happens, they can decline the item, in which case it should be returned to me. In the worst case, if return is not possible, the postal service may destroy it.</p> <p>If the item does not arrive, I regret the loss and will arrange a replacement once I am able to obtain the appropriate labels again. I’ll keep you updated on the progress and share what I learn from the postal system along the way.</p> <p>[<strong>/Update 13-09-2025</strong>]</p>