Australia Post Resumes Shipping to the US
What Aussie Businesses Need to Know (2025 Update)
In August 2025, Australia Post made waves by suspending most parcel deliveries to the United States. The pause was triggered by new U.S. import tariff rules that removed the “de minimis” exemption and required stricter customs compliance.
The good news? Postal services to the U.S. have now been reinstated — but with new rules you must follow.
If you rely on U.S. sales, here’s what’s changed and what you need to do right now to avoid costly returns and delays.
What's Changed?
- Business parcel services resumed on 22 September 2025, ahead of the original date of 25 September.
- Retail parcel lodgements (via Post Offices) will return on or before 7 October 2025.
- No more duty-free threshold: From 29 August, the U.S. removed its exemption for goods under USD 800. Now all parcels require duties and taxes to be prepaid.
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Stricter customs declarations: Every parcel must include:
- Country of Origin
- Value of each item
- Correct HS (Harmonised System) tariff codes
- Prepaid duties via Zonos®: Australia Post has partnered with Zonos, a U.S. CBP-authorised provider, to collect and remit duties before goods arrive in the U.S.
What You Must Do Now
To ship successfully to the U.S., Australian product businesses need to:
1. Set up a Zonos Verified Account
Register via Australia Post using your APBCN or MLID. This links your account and enables upfront duty/tax payments.
2. Make Your Customs Declarations Bulletproof
Declare the true Country of Origin (where it was manufactured).
Include accurate value for each item.
Use the correct HS tariff codes.
3. Prepay Duties & Taxes
The U.S. no longer allows recipient-pay in most cases. These must be paid before parcels leave Australia.
4. Test Immediately
Send a small parcel first to confirm your workflow with Zonos and customs is working correctly.
5. Have Backup Carriers Ready
Keep courier options (FedEx, DHL, UPS) on hand with Delivery Duties Paid (DDP) if AusPost services experience delays.
6. Communicate Clearly With Customers
Be upfront about duties, shipping cut-offs, and delivery times. Add clear notes in your checkout and EDMs to avoid surprise charges or refund requests.
What This Means for Your Business
Margins may shift: Factor in duties, admin fees, and carrier markups when pricing for the U.S.
Operational friction increases: Missing data = rejected parcels. Get systems aligned now.
Lead times matter: Plan earlier for Black Friday/Christmas cut-offs.
Customer experience is key: No surprises = more trust and repeat sales.
Final Notes
This is a big change, but it’s manageable if you act quickly. Get your Zonos account set up, clean up your customs data, and test shipments now.
If you need help auditing your U.S. shipping setup, calculating landed costs, or ensuring your product business can scale globally with confidence, I can help.
📩 Email me at felicity@thesheeo.com — let’s get your export flow sorted before the holiday season.