Parcel services to the United States will resume within a fortnight after Australia Post was forced to pause deliveries for business customers due to an unexpected tariff announcement.
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Australia's national mail service said parcel post to the United States and its overseas territories will be available "on or before" September 25.
Australia Post temporarily suspended mail to the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and US Virgin Islands in response to changes to customs and import tariff rules.
The suspension affected Business Contract, MyPost Business and Retail customers who were now required to pre-pay tariffs.
But posted gifts valued at under US$100 were exempt from any tariffs, Australia Post said.
"Along with more than 190 other postal providers internationally, we've been caught in a fast-moving situation not of our making," AusPost parcel, post and eCommerce services general manager Gary Starr said.
"The real impact has been on our customers who export their goods to the US accessing our cost-efficient postal service, so we've been working around the clock to find a solution," he said.
"Our priority has always been to have a solution up and running as soon as possible, while keeping our customers updated and informed.
"We want to provide customers with as much notice as possible to prepare and facilitate their business planning."
Third-party provider to collect tariffs
Australia Post has partnered with an authorised US Customs and Border Protection and Universal Postal Union third-party provider, Zonos.
Zonos, which calculates and collects tariffs from senders, was one of a handful of companies authorised to perform the task.
Business Contract, MyPost Business and Retail customers were encouraged to create an account with Zonos.
One regional entrepreneur said she's waiting on clarification regarding the fees charged by Zonos before she relaunches 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 national mail service said.
Mr Starr said Australia Post planned to lift the temporary suspension on September 25, but would do so earlier if it was possible.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
