U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds has issued the following statement regarding concerning reports that certain package deliveries to the CNMI and Guam are currently suspended:
“On Friday I was informed that air mail package deliveries to Guam and the CNMI have been suspended. While no official statement has been provided, this suspension appears to stem from the implementation of Executive Order 14324, which ended the de minimis exemption for low-value imports, and from federal policies now being carried out by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is our understanding that letters and mail shipments by sea remain currently unaffected.
“This is an evolving situation. While the executive order applies globally, it creates unique complications for the territories, which by law stand outside the U.S. customs territory. In the case of the CNMI, this relationship is expressly defined by our Covenant with the United States.
“My office has reached out to CBP and USPS to seek clarification on how these new requirements apply to the Marianas and when regular service will resume. We are also coordinating with the congressional offices of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to ensure a unified territorial response.
“For our community, reliable mail service is essential. Families, businesses, and government operations rely on the dedicated work of the U.S. Postal Service daily. This need is even greater for individuals with unique healthcare requirements. Despite differences in legal status under federal law, citizens in the CNMI are Americans and deserve the same access to essential services as all Americans in the states. We are pressing federal agencies for immediate guidance and an interim solution that respects the legal framework governing the territories while avoiding unnecessary disruption for the Marianas.
“I will continue to provide updates as we work with our federal partners to resolve this matter.”
