Sunita Somvanshi
Australia Post has temporarily suspended most parcels to the United States and Puerto Rico from August 26, 2025, in response to US changes that suspend duty-free treatment for low-value imports from August 29.
Letters, documents, and gifts valued under US$100 can still be sent, but all other packages are affected by what Australia Post calls a “temporary partial suspension.”
“A temporary partial suspension was necessary to develop and implement a workable solution for our customers,” said Australia Post in its official statement. Gary Starr, who heads Parcels, Post & eCommerce at Australia Post, confirmed they are working to restore service.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will suspend the de minimis duty-free treatment for shipments valued at or under US$800, effective August 29. For postal shipments, duties must be paid before arrival under new arrangements.
Senior US officials have described the previous rule as enabling illicit imports and creating security concerns at the border.
This impacts many Australian businesses that export to the US market. Small-volume exporters of clothing, cosmetics, electronics, and handmade goods are particularly affected as they now face shipping challenges.
Small business representatives have expressed concerns about the impact on exporters, particularly those relying on affordable postal services.
Australia Post notes that the change affects many postal services worldwide. Several carriers, including Swiss Post, Japan Post, Korea Post, and Deutsche Post, have paused some US-bound services.
The Australian Government has expressed concern about the decision’s impact on trade between the two countries.
While Australia Post works with Zonos, an authorized US CBP third-party provider, to create a pre-payment system, shippers have few options:
- Express courier services like FedEx continue to accept and transport shipments to the United States, though services vary by carrier
- Gifts under US$100, letters, and documents remain eligible under the exemption
- Businesses are exploring various logistical alternatives to maintain US market access
There is no timeline to resume normal service. Senders can wait, use express carriers that are operating, or ensure items qualify under the gift exemption.
The suspension is part of broader US measures intended to strengthen border security and customs enforcement.
Similar international shipping rules have been tightened in recent years, reflecting a global trend toward stricter customs enforcement.
