US /Cuba mail links successfully re-established
An IBC Airways plane carrying the first mail sent directly from the United States to Cuba landed in Havana at 10 am local time yesterday – re-establishing postal links after a break of almost 50 years. Carlos Rodriguez, an inspector with the United States Postal Service (USPS), delivered a letter to Asencio Valerino, the president of state-owned postal company Correos de Cuba, to mark the occasion.
We’re making history,” said Rodriguez at commemorative event, which was attended by officials from the island’s Civil Aeronautics Institute, the Cuban Foreign Ministry and the Cuban customs service.
Sources report that, starting on 25 March, Miami-Havana mail flights will operate three times per week carrying around three tons of cargo on each trip.
UPDATE AT 14:00 GMT
In a statement issued today (17 March) the US Postmaster General and CEO Megan J. Brennan has officially announced the resumption of the dlirect postal link.
“The U.S. Postal Service is pleased to participate in the historic direct transportation of mail service with Cuba,” said Brennan. “Moving letter mail and package volume directly between our countries will improve service for businesses and consumers.”
The USPS statement added that the types of mail customers in the U.S. can send to Cuba include First-Class Mail International items, such as postcards and letter size envelopes, First-Class Package International Service items, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.
A comprehensive list of mailing conditions to Cuba can be found in the International Mail Manual at: http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/ce_017.htm#ep1416554.
