Secretary of State John Kerry attends a flag-raising ceremony for the U.S. Embassy in Havana in August. State Department
Americans Can Now Mail Things to Cuba for the First Time in More Than 50 Years
USPS lifts long-standing ban on mail service with the island nation.
The U.S. Postal Service on Thursday operated mail service with Cuba for the first time in more than 50 years, the agency announced.
The resumption of service comes as the Obama administration has normalized relations with the Cuban government, halting hostilities between the country and the United States that lasted 54 years. President Obama reestablished a U.S. embassy in Cuba in July.
"The U.S. Postal Service is pleased to participate in the historic direct transportation of mail service with Cuba," Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan said. "Moving letter mail and package volume directly between our countries will improve service for businesses and consumers."
Not all types of mail will be permitted in Cuba. Americans are still prohibited from sending currency, jewelry, precious stones and metals and other “valuable articles.” They also cannot send “musical letters or cards that play a sound recording when opened,” as well as perishable biological substances.
USPS officially lifted the ban on sending first-class mail and packages to Cuba on Thursday.