Mail

Says David: ‘There were some fears a shutdown could disrupt low-cost UK-US mail deliveries. However while some international courtiers, such as Parcelhero, use the USPS for final delivery for certain economy, non-urgent services, these are not being impacted. That’s because the USPS is funded through the sales of products (such as stamps) and services, and not directly by the US government. That means deliveries should not be interrupted.

‘The USPS has issued a statement, saying: “US Postal Service operations will not be interrupted in the event of a government shutdown, and all Post Offices will remain open for business as usual. Because we are an independent entity that is generally funded through the sale of our products and services, and not by tax dollars, our services will not be impacted by a government shutdown.”

The USPS has an unofficial motto chiseled in gray granite over the entrance to the New York City Post Office on 8th Avenue: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” It seems that Government shutdowns will also not “stay” its deliveries.

Customs and maritime shipments

The US Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) said during a recent shutdown scare that potential shutdowns: “will hinder the work of Government agencies that contribute to the foreign commercial activities of the United States”. That list includes US Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Maritime Commission.

‘CSIS said during the previous shutdown scare: “Essential work from agencies such as Customs and Border Protection’s cargo processing and inspection at ports, will continue, but functions less essential to day-to-day work but ultimately critical to these agencies’ long-term capabilities, like training activities, will be suspended.”

‘Likewise, Government activities related to imports and trade monitoring, such as tariff exclusion request processing, will likely cease.

Airfreight

‘Many UK products are airfreighted to America, often in the belly hold of passenger services. Delays to passenger flights therefore equal delays to airfreight. "While our personnel have prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure the security of our transportation systems, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports," a US Transportation Security Administration spokesperson told USA Today in December, when a previous shutdown loomed.

UK-US services

‘Finally, during the last shutdown, nearly 90% of the Department of Commerce’s staff was furloughed and the International Trade Commission was closed. Parcelhero’s USA page gives live information on all available services, as well as full details on Customs advice, sending food, prohibited items, etc.