AU
Australia Post has announced an immediate suspension of parcel deliveries to the United States and Puerto Rico, citing changes to US customs regulations under the new tariff scheme.
Until now, Australian businesses could send goods under US$800 duty-free through what was known as the de minimis threshold. That exemption has now been removed, meaning almost all parcels sent to the US will attract tariffs — a baseline 10% duty on Australian goods.
The changes are effective until further notice.
How Does This Impact Australian Businesses?
The suspension has immediate consequences for eCommerce retailers and logistics providers who rely on Australia Post’s international postal network. Any parcels bound for the US or Puerto Rico lodged on or after 26 August 2025 will not be accepted unless they meet the exemption criteria.
Gary Starr, Executive General Manager of Parcel, Post and eCommerce Services at Australia Post, noted that the organisation was forced into a “temporary partial suspension” while a workable solution is developed with US authorities and postal partners.
Australia Post is currently working with a US customs–authorised third-party provider to enable compliant shipping. Businesses will be notified once the system is ready to go live.
Industry Response
The Australian Government has labelled the new US tariff rules “disappointing,” warning they will raise costs for American households and small businesses. Meanwhile, the opposition has called for urgent diplomatic action to safeguard Australian exporters.
Australia is not alone in facing this disruption. Other postal services, including those in Japan and Switzerland, have also paused shipments to the US.
What This Means for Logistics Operators
For Australian logistics businesses and exporters, this change underscores the importance of flexibility in global freight management. Operators will need to:
Reassess shipping options for US-bound parcels.
Monitor updates from Australia Post and customs authorities.
Adjust pricing models to account for new tariffs.
At Transvirtual, we see this as another reminder of how rapid regulatory shifts can impact global supply chains. Having systems in place that provide visibility, compliance tracking, and the ability to pivot quickly is critical to maintaining service continuity.
