As of January 1, registered international postal services with signature and proof of delivery are no longer consistently available for global e-commerce shipments.
Most national postal operators no longer provide reliable international registered delivery with enforceable proof of delivery suitable for e-commerce disputes.
What remains available is tracked-only postal shipping a service that allows shipment tracking but does not provide delivery confirmation, recipient signature, or legally valid proof of delivery.
For global e-commerce sellers, this is not a minor operational change.
It fundamentally alters risk, liability, and customer dispute exposure in cross-border shipping.
Registered vs. Tracked Shipping: Why the Difference Matters
Historically, registered postal services included:
- end-to-end tracking
- recipient signature upon delivery
- proof of delivery (POD)
- clearer liability in case of loss or dispute
Today’s tracked-only services provide:
- shipment tracking ✔️
- delivery event status ✔️
- proof of delivery ❌
- signature confirmation ❌
In practice, tracking does not equal proof of delivery.
If a shipment is marked as delivered but the customer claims non-receipt, sellers often cannot provide enforceable evidence to payment providers or marketplaces.
Why Postal Operators Removed Registered Services
This change is global, not country-specific.
Postal operators worldwide are under pressure from:
- massive growth in cross-border e-commerce volumes
- stricter customs, VAT, and import compliance rules
- rising operational costs and dispute handling
- increased financial risk tied to delivery claims
Registered delivery requires manual handling, signatures, documentation, and higher liability a model that no longer scales in modern e-commerce.
Instead of upgrading registered services, postal systems chose to eliminate them entirely for international shipping.
Who Is Most Affected by This Change
The suspension of registered postal services mainly impacts:
- international e-commerce sellers
- DTC brands shipping cross-border
- low- to mid-value parcels
- businesses relying on postal services for affordability
Key risks for sellers include:
- inability to prove delivery in chargebacks
- higher “item not received” dispute rates
- limited or capped compensation for losses
- reduced control over last-mile delivery
This applies globally, shipments to Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond are all affected.
The Hidden Risk: Liability Without Proof
Tracked-only postal shipping creates a structural problem:
- sellers remain responsible for successful delivery
- postal operators limit liability
- customers expect guaranteed delivery outcomes
When disputes arise, the seller typically absorbs the cost.
For high-volume e-commerce, this quickly becomes unsustainable, especially for businesses operating on thin margins or subscription-based models.
Why E-commerce Is Moving Away From Postal Shipping
Modern e-commerce increasingly requires:
- accountable last-mile delivery
- contractual liability frameworks
- delivery confirmation and POD
- integrated customs and compliance handling
National postal systems were designed for mail and legacy parcel flows, not for today’s commercial e-commerce requirements.
As regulations tighten and dispute rates rise, reliance on postal shipping introduces operational and financial risk.
How SMS Fulfillment Helps E-commerce Sellers Reduce Risk
At SMS Fulfillment, international shipping is built around carrier-based, compliance-first logistics, not legacy postal infrastructure.
Our fulfillment model includes:
- carrier solutions with delivery confirmation
- defined liability and dispute handling
- DDP-ready shipping workflows
- proactive customs compliance
- reliable last-mile delivery through trusted partners
This approach minimizes:
- delivery disputes
- unexpected fees for customers
- service disruptions caused by regulatory or postal changes
Most importantly, it restores control and predictability to cross-border shipping operations.
What This Means for Your Shipping Strategy
If your business still relies on postal services for international e-commerce, it’s important to reassess the risk:
- no proof of delivery
- limited liability protection
- growing exposure to disputes
Postal shipping is not disappearing, but it is no longer suitable for scalable, dispute-sensitive e-commerce operations.
The Bigger Picture for Global E-commerce
The suspension of registered postal services is a clear signal:
Global e-commerce logistics is shifting away from trust-based postal delivery toward contractual, compliance-driven fulfillment.
The real risk for online sellers isn’t higher shipping costs.
It’s operating in a system where delivery responsibility exists without delivery proof.
And that model no longer works.
