AUSTRALIA Post has announced it will temporarily partially suspend postal sending to the United States (US) and Puerto Rico, effective 26 August 2025, until further notice.
This is in response to what it says is "recent significant changes" the US Government has made to customs and import tariff rules for parcels.
Changes include the US suspending the de minimis exemption for inbound goods (below USD$800) and requiring the pre-payment of tariffs before an item’s arrival in the US.
The "temporary suspension "is expected to impact Business Contract, MyPost Business and retail customers.
Gifts under USD$100, letters and documents are unaffected.
Australia Post says it is working with Zonos, an authorised US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) third-party provider, to offer a solution.
Australia Post executive general manager, parcel, post & ecommerce, Gary Starr, said they were “focused on providing a reliable and competitive postal service for customers sending parcels internationally”.
“Guidance from CBP has only recently been issued and, like more than 190 other postal providers, we’ve been working at pace to find a solution,” Mr Starr said.
“We are disappointed we have had to take this action, however, due to the complex and rapidly evolving situation, a temporary partial suspension has been necessary to allow us to develop and implement a workable solution for our customers.
“Australia Post continues to work with US and Australian authorities and international postal partners to resume postal service to the US as a priority.”
Chief executive of the International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Australia (IFCBAA). Scott Carson, said this latest development was “another direct consequence of the Trump administration’s trade-based regulatory actions”.
“The announcement by Australia Post and the other international postal services that they are to cease de minimis services affecting most low value consignments of commercial goods are a predictable consequence that such postal authorities do not want to be involved in this new and uncertain trade world,” Mr Carson said.
Senior lecturer in business law and tax at Monash Business School, Nicola Charwat, said the impact in Australia primarily would be felt by small businesses that sell directly to American consumers.
“This includes businesses specialising in sustainable clothing and gifts, as well as distinctly Australian goods such as cosmetics, food and wine,” Dr Charwat said.
“These parcels will now be subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff.
“The real target appears to be major overseas retailers like Shein and Temu that also export directly to consumers and avoid much higher baseline tariffs of 25 per cent or more that apply to Chinese imports.”
Dr Charwat said American consumers were the real losers, “facing either restricted access to overseas goods from online businesses or substantially higher prices to cover the tariffs".
“This is unlikely to play well to American voters who may also find that parcels from friends and family overseas will be impacted,” she said.
In a statement issued by delivery company FedEx, regional vice president Peter Langley said they were continuing to accept and transport U.S-bound shipments from Australia.
"As an express carrier, our international express offerings are not impacted by the decisions of postal operators," Mr Langley said.
"Our priority is supporting our customers and helping them navigate through the changes going into effect for U.S-bound shipments on August 29."
FedEx has encouraged customers to consult the company website for the latest regulatory requirement guidance.