UPDATE: Australia Post confirms it will resume parcel services to the United States within a fortnight, following an unexpected tariff announcement that temporarily halted deliveries. The national mail service has announced that deliveries will recommence “on or before” September 25, 2023.
This urgent update comes after Australia Post was forced to pause mail deliveries for business customers to the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and US Virgin Islands due to new customs and import tariff rules. The suspension disrupted services for Business Contract, MyPost Business, and Retail customers who were suddenly required to pre-pay tariffs on their shipments.
Despite the pause, gifts valued under US$100 remain exempt from tariffs, according to Australia Post. Officials emphasize the swift and challenging nature of these changes, impacting many exporters relying on cost-effective postal services.
Gary Starr, general manager of parcel, post, and eCommerce services at Australia Post, stated, “Along with more than 190 other postal providers internationally, we’ve been caught in a fast-moving situation not of our making.” He added, “The real impact has been on our customers who export their goods to the US, so we’ve been working around the clock to find a solution.”
To facilitate resuming services, Australia Post is collaborating with US Customs and Border Protection and Zonos, a third-party provider authorized to calculate and collect tariffs from senders. Business customers are encouraged to create accounts with Zonos to streamline their shipping process.
One regional entrepreneur expressed concern, stating she is awaiting clarification on Zonos fees before relaunching her online business. “Australia Post is working on a separate solution to allow customers to send parcels to the US via the Post Office network,” the service confirmed.
Starr reassured customers that Australia Post is prioritizing an early lift of the suspension if possible. With these developments, businesses can begin preparing for the resumption of services, allowing for improved planning and operations.
Stay tuned for further updates as Australia Post continues to navigate this evolving situation.
