Readers share their frustration over US-France postal problems

Sending post from France to the US has become increasingly complicated following changes to US customs and postal rules. 

While shipments are officially being accepted, readers are reporting inconsistent information at La Poste branches, with some being unable to send letters or postcards, while others have had parcels returned.

The experiences below, shared with The Connexion, show how confusing the situation remains, with different La Poste offices apparently applying different rules:

To the Editor,

A visiting family member tried to simply send a postcard back to Chicago from our local village La Poste. He was told they could not post letters or postcards, although he could send a package from another, larger La Poste location via Colissimo.

After purchasing small gifts and food treats for his nieces, we proceeded to La Poste in Saint-Foy-la-Grande. At first they said they could send the postcard, but later corrected this and said they could not. They did say we could send a package.

They provided a box, we filled out the customs declaration and they accepted the package. A couple of days later, however, tracking indicated that it was being returned and would not be delivered to the US.

In the meantime, I had corresponded with the US Embassy in Bordeaux, which assured me that either packages or letters were fine to send. After reporting this back to my family member, we found that it was not working regardless of which La Poste location we visited, even when showing staff information from the relevant websites.

He was then told simply to buy a stamp online or buy a stamp for Canada at a kiosk and drop the envelope into a yellow postbox.

There is no prohibition shown on the USPS website against accepting mail or packages from France.

It is exceptionally frustrating that there seems to be no way to get to the bottom of what the issue really is. Everyone is saying it is supposed to be OK, but mail is not going out.

It is particularly concerning with a major election coming up in the US, and we are hopeful that our ballots will be sent. We may have to take them to the US Embassy in Bordeaux.

P.L

To the Editor,

I tried to send a card to our grandson from the Condom post office, but they refused to accept it. They said mail was forbidden to be posted to the US.

However, after phone calls to their superiors, I was told by the branch manager that I had to send it as a lettre recommandée.

I did that, but it cost €8.10 to send.

P.B

To the Editor,

On Friday, I went to La Poste figuring that if I just mailed envelopes with birthday cards to my daughter for her June birthday, those would go through even if the packages would not.

Wrong.

The postage machines available for the public to use, or for La Poste staff, will not issue postage for the United States. Therefore, all letters are also blocked from France to the US.

So, I tried a third ploy: buying international postage stamps and putting them on the envelopes myself to see if that works. I will know in a week or two whether they are received by my daughter or returned.

G.M

Have you had a similar experience? You can share it with us at feedback@connexionfrance.com