Throughout the year a series of webinars will explore the role of the post in trade inclusion and trade facilitation, especially for underserved communities

The UPU is organizing the third edition of the TradePost Forum on 5 November 2025 using a webinar format. This event will highlight Posts’ vital role in digital trade inclusion, especially for MSMEs and women-led MSMEs.

Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are universally recognized as the backbone of most economies, driving job creation, innovation, and inclusive growth. However, their participation in global trade remains disproportionately low, hindered by complex logistics, daunting customs procedures, high international shipping costs, and a lack of trust in cross-border transactions.

In parallel, the global postal sector, with its unparalleled physical network reaching every urban and rural community, is undergoing a profound transformation. Evolving from its traditional role, it is now a key player in the logistics and e-commerce ecosystem. This convergence of MSME potential and postal capability presents a unique and powerful opportunity to democratize international trade.

National and international postal networks, with their unparalleled physical reach, trusted brand, and evolving digital services, are uniquely positioned to act as a powerful, low-barrier gateway for MSMEs to enter and thrive in international markets.

The session aims to "demystify" global trade, framing it not as an exclusive club for large corporations, but as an accessible opportunity for businesses of all sizes, facilitated by their local post office.

The forum will explore several interconnected themes: 

1. Democratizing Logistics: The Physical Network Advantage 

• Reach: Highlighting that the postal network is often the only entity with a physical presence in every single town and village, making it the most accessible logistics partner for rural and remote MSMEs. 

• Affordability: Discussing how universal service obligations and economies of scale allow posts to offer competitive international shipping rates that private couriers cannot match for small parcels, which is crucial for bootstrapped MSMEs.

2. Simplifying Complexity: From Customs to Compliance

• Streamlined Customs: Explaining UPU´s tools like the CDS system and how posts are simplifying the daunting process of customs declarations for small businesses. 

• Integrated Solutions: TradePost, DDP

3. Building Trust and Financial Inclusion 

• The Trust Factor: The local post office is often one of the most trusted institutions in a country. This trust is transferred to the cross-border transaction, reassuring both the seller and the buyer.

• Postal Financial Services: Exploring how posts are expanding beyond logistics to offer working capital loans, trade finance, and international payment solutions tailored to the needs of MSMEs. 

4. The Digital-Physical Bridge

• API Integration: How postal services are integrating their shipping and tracking APIs directly into e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce, creating a seamless "click-to-ship" experience. 

• E-commerce Marketplaces: Some posts (e.g., Correos of Spain) have launched their own online marketplaces, providing a dedicated channel for local MSMEs to sell their products. 

5. Challenges and the Path Forward

• Modernization: Acknowledging that some postal operators still need to modernize their infrastructure and digital capabilities to keep pace with e-commerce demands. 

• Last-Mile Innovation: Discussing partnerships and new models for last-mile delivery in both urban and rural areas. 

• Policy Support: The need for supportive government policies that recognize the postal network as critical trade infrastructure.

The webinar will take place as an online event on the Zoom platform.

Participants

The webinar will bring together top postal executives from UPU member countries, representatives from trade ministries, relevant international and regional organizations, and industry experts to discuss the most pressing topics, exchange experiences, and share their insights.

Languages

Interpretation is available in French and English

Draft Program (All times are in Brasilia time – UTC+2)

Register

^{Registration is mandatory.}

^{Register at this link}

Speakers