Force majeure is defined as an event or occurrence that causes a designated operator (DO) to fail, in part or in full, countrywide or in affected areas only, to fulfil its obligations relating to quality of service owing to reasons external to the DO that are unforeseeable, unavoidable and due to an impediment beyond its reasonable control, and that are not attributable to any act or failure to take preventive action by the DO concerned.
Force majeure events can critically disrupt postal services across multiple operational dimensions. These events cause significant interruptions in mail processing, sorting and delivery systems, potentially leading to suspension of postal operations, delays in mail and parcel movement, accumulation of unprocessed mail in sorting facilities, or redirection or temporary halting of delivery routes.The duration of any force majeure event or its effects must be at least three consecutive days. In most cases, this would include events such as war, natural disasters, acts of authority, destruction of facilities, pandemic and epidemic diseases, and disruption of information technology.
Detailed procedures applicable to requests involving force majeure:
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Force majeure forms
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Force majeure flow process (available in English only)
Time sensitivity
Notify the International Bureau via e-mail within three working days* of the event's occurrence using the “open case” form. Submit the “close case” form once the event has ended.
*Excludes weekends, holidays, and non-working days
Specific rules and procedures
For EMS, please refer to the EMS website for further details.