Kimberlyn King-Hinds
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds on Tuesday announced that the U.S. Postal Service has confirmed airmail service from the CNMI and Guam to the U.S. mainland will no longer be disrupted by the suspension of the de minimis exemption.
“I am pleased to report that all mail and packages from Guam and the CNMI, which are dispatched through Guam, were successfully transported to Honolulu today. The United States Postal Service has confirmed that a third-party provider qualified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection is now in place to facilitate compliance with the recent de minimis Executive Order. With this arrangement, USPS has assured us that mail and packages sent from Guam and the CNMI to the fifty states will continue to be accepted, transported, and delivered,” she said.
“I also want to reassure our community that mail and packages sent from the fifty states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia to the U.S. territories remain unchanged and unaffected by this situation.
“Over the past several days, my office has worked closely with USPS, CBP, and senior officials at the White House to resolve this disruption. I am grateful for their cooperation and responsiveness in finding a path forward. At the same time, I remain committed to ensuring that the full range of benefits and obligations provided to the CNMI under the Covenant are honored in the implementation of this and other federal policies. There are still questions we are seeking to resolve related to the application of duties on outbound airmail shipments, and as more guidance becomes available, I will continue to keep you informed.
“Reliable mail service is essential for families, businesses, and government operations in the Marianas. While this immediate challenge has been addressed, I will continue to monitor implementation and work with our federal partners to make sure service remains stable and that shipments from the CNMI are treated fairly under the law.”
