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Middle East Shipping Delays: What Shippers Need to Know
Last updated: March 5, 2026
Geopolitical instability in the Middle East is disrupting global logistics, and if you ship internationally, you may already be feeling the effects. Major carriers are adjusting operations in response to the evolving situation, and Middle East shipping delays are now affecting customers shipping to, from, and through the region.
Here’s a carrier-by-carrier breakdown of where things stand right now.
What’s happening with each carrier
UPS
UPS is actively monitoring the situation. No formal service suspension has been announced, but the carrier may adjust operations as conditions change. Check the UPS service alerts page for the latest.
FedEx
Customers shipping to or from the region should expect extended transit times. FedEx has confirmed that the situation is impacting delivery times. Visit the FedEx service alerts page for current details.
USPS
USPS has temporarily suspended service to specific military ZIP codes across Europe and the Middle East. If your business ships to any of those addresses, check the USPS service alerts page before processing those orders.
Royal Mail
Export shipments to several destinations—including Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Oman—are likely to be affected. Some shipments also transit through impacted areas and are likely to experience severe delays. Royal Mail is currently still accepting all traffic, though the situation remains fluid and may change. See the Royal Mail service updates page for the latest.
GlobalPost
Several Middle Eastern countries are temporarily suspended for all mailing services until further notice. Shippers using GlobalPost may see disruptions or be unable to process shipments to affected destinations until service resumes. Check the GlobalPost service updates page for the latest.
How to stay ahead of the disruptions
Middle East shipping delays are fluid—carrier policies can shift quickly as the situation evolves. The best thing you can do right now is stay informed and set customer expectations proactively.
ShipStation is keeping our status page updated as carriers share new information. Bookmark it and check back often.
A few steps worth taking now:
- Review any open orders shipping to or through the Middle East
- Add messaging to your order confirmation emails about potential delays
- Hold or reroute shipments to suspended USPS military ZIP codes until service resumes
Disruptions like this are also a good reminder of why multi-carrier flexibility matters. If one carrier is impacted, having alternatives already set up in ShipStation means you can pivot quickly—without starting your shipping workflow from scratch.
