Australia Post has joined a number of international postal carriers in suspending some services to the United States in the wake of tariff decisions by President Donald Trump.
Australia Post Executive General Manager, Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services, Gary Starr said, from this week, a temporary suspension would be in place impacting Business Contract, MyPost Business and Retail customers sending goods to the United States and Puerto Rico through the postal network.
Mr Starr said gifts under USD$100, letters and documents were unaffected by the change.
“This response is in-line with action taken by numerous other postal operators globally,” he said.
Mr Starr said Australia Post’s decision was in response to recent significant changes the US Government had made to customs and import tariff rules for parcels sent to the US.
He said changes include the US suspending the De Minimis exemption for inbound goods (below USD$800) and requiring the pre-payment of tariffs prior to an item’s arrival in the US.
“Australia Post is working with Zonos, an authorised US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) third-party provider, to offer a solution that will, once launched, allow services to resume for Business Contract and My Post Business customers.
“These customers will receive communications from Australia Post on what they need to do next to be ready for when this solution goes live.”
Mr Starr said Australia Post was focused on providing a reliable and competitive postal service for customers sending parcels internationally.
He said guidance from CBP had only recently been issued and, like more than 190 other postal providers, Australia Post had been working to find a solution.
“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.”
