Mail from Tristan to certain countries is currently being held back because virus restrictions prevent the South African Post Office from dispatching it onward.

International COVID-19 Lockdowns Affect Tristan Mail

Post Office LogoThe strict COVID-19 lockdown rules introduced by certain countries mean that some transport connections are temporarily not available. This in turn is affecting the flow of international mail to and from Tristan da Cunha.

South African Connections

All Tristan's mail passes through Cape Town, where is handled by the South African Post Office (SAPO). SAPO recently announced changes to the countries to and from which it is able to offer a postal service.

From 9th April 2021, these are the countries to which SAPO can dispatch mail under the current international lockdown:

  • Austria
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • China
  • Czech Republic
  • France
  • Great Britain
    (but not Republic of Ireland)
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Lesotho
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Swaziland
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • UAE
  • Ukraine
  • USA

The South African Post Office advises customers not to mail items to countries that are not on the list. If, however, an article has been posted to a country where the mail service is not available, it will be kept safely and dispatched immediately once transport connections become available.