Service Alert – March 2023
In an effort to ensure you’re aware of any service disruptions that may impact your business, please see the postal and carrier alerts and updates around the globe. We will regularly update you with continuing news and information as we receive it to keep your operations informed.
AUSTRALIA
Heavy tropical rainfall likely to cause flooding in northern Queensland and Northern Territory: Media sources report on February 14 that flooding may be expected in northern Queensland and the Northern Territory due to heavy tropical rainfall in the coming days. As such, roads could be affected. Disruptions to transportation and business operations are likely.
NEW ZEALAND
National state of emergency declared amid flooding due to Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle: Media sources report on February 14 that authorities have declared a national state of emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread flooding, landslides and huge ocean swells in the country, especially the North Island and the Northland region. Power outages as well as extensive damage to roads and infrastructure were reported. Flight operations at Auckland International Airport (IATA: AKL) have been disrupted since February 13. As the cyclone moves, the severe weather outbreak is also expected to extend to the upper South Island. Severe disruptions to business and transportation operations are likely.
GERMANY
Mail and parcels with destination Germany might experience a delay due to a strike at Deutsche Post last Monday and Tuesday, the 6th and 7th of February.
UNITED KINGDOM
Royal Mail workers to launch further strikes from February 16 as talks break down: Updated media sources on February 2 report that the Communications Workers Union (CWU) has announced further strike action at Royal Mail on February 16. About 115,000 workers will strike from 12:30 local time on February 16, until 12:30 local time on February 17. The union returned to negotiations with the company after launching nationwide strikes from December 14-15, however, no deal has been reached and the talks have broken down.
CANADA’S BAN ON CERTAIN HARMFUL SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
Effective December 20, 2022, the manufacture and import for sale of the following harmful single-use plastics in Canada will be prohibited:
· checkout bags
· cutlery
· foodservice ware made from, or containing, problematic plastics that are hard to recycle
· stir sticks
· straws (with some exceptions*)
To provide businesses in Canada with enough time to transition and to deplete their existing stocks, the Regulations will enter into force through a phased approach:
· Starting on December 20, 2022, with the prohibition on the import and manufacture of single-use plastic checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware made from problematic plastics, stir sticks, and straws; the prohibition on the sale of these items will come into force in December 2023.
· In June 2023, the manufacture and import of ring carriers in Canada will be prohibited and the sale of these items will be prohibited in June 2024.
· As of June 2024, the sale of flexible straws packaged with beverage containers will be prohibited.
· By the end of 2025 the Government will also prohibit the manufacture and import for the purposes of export of all six categories of single-use plastics, making Canada the first among peer jurisdictions to do so internationally. These phased timelines recognize the complexity associated with retooling manufacturing lines for these products.
* Exceptions to the ban on straws allow single-use plastic flexible straws to remain available for people in Canada who require them for medical or accessibility reasons. This includes for use at home, in social settings, or in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and long‑term care facilities. All other types of single-use plastic straws will be prohibited.
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MEXICO
Due to local capacity backlogs in Northern and Central Mexico, recipients may experience delays of up to a week in the delivery of mail and parcels.
Mexico City and Southern areas are seeing a lesser impact.