Australia Post Halts US Shipments Amid New Customs Tax Rule

Australia Post has temporarily suspended parcel shipments to the US due to new customs tax rules. The move follows similar actions by European and Asian carriers, including Swiss Post, DHL, Japan Post, and Korea Post. The suspension affects packages valued at or under $800, which will face duties from August 29. Australia Post will work with US and Australian authorities to resume services soon. Small businesses selling directly to US consumers are likely to be impacted, with parcels subject to a 10% baseline tariff. FedEx's Australian business continues to accept and transport shipments to the US.

Australia Post has temporarily suspended parcel shipments to the United States, following similar actions by European and Asian carriers. The move is in response to new customs tax rules that will apply from August 29, affecting packages valued at or under $800. This suspension comes as Australia Post, along with Swiss Post, DHL, Japan Post, and Korea Post, works to adapt to the new regulations [1][3].

The new rules, implemented by the Trump administration, eliminate the "de minimis" exemption, which previously allowed packages worth less than $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. This change has led to a significant disruption in international parcel logistics. Australia Post has stated that the suspension is necessary due to the complex and rapidly evolving situation, and they are committed to working with US and Australian authorities to resume services as soon as possible [1][3].

Small businesses selling directly to US consumers are likely to be most impacted by this change. Parcels subject to the new rules will face a 10% baseline tariff, which could increase the cost of goods for American consumers. Despite this, FedEx's Australian business continues to accept and transport shipments to the US, providing an alternative for those affected by the suspension [2].

The suspension of these shipments is expected to have a significant impact on the logistics industry, with postal operators worldwide scrambling to adapt to the new rules. The uncertainty surrounding the implementation of these changes has led to a temporary halt in some services, as companies work to establish new logistics systems and clarify the requirements for customs duties [2].

Australia Post has emphasized that letters, documents, and gifts valued at less than $100 are still exempt from the new rules and can be sent to the US without issue. The company is working with Zonos, a third-party provider for US Customs and Border Protection, to create a workaround for business customers, but there is no specific timeline for when services will be fully restored [1].

In conclusion, the suspension of parcel shipments by Australia Post and other international carriers is a direct response to new customs tax rules implemented by the Trump administration. While the impact on small businesses and consumers is significant, the industry is working to adapt and resume services as quickly as possible.

References:
[1] https://www.inkl.com/news/how-australia-post-s-pause-of-us-parcel-deliveries-due-to-trump-s-tariffs-affects-you
[2] https://www.npr.org/2025/08/23/nx-s1-5513936/dhl-parcel-tariffs
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/26/australia-japan-join-countries-suspending-some-parcel-shipments-to-the-us