Aus Post halts US deliveries amid Trump tariff confusion
Australia Post will stop sending many items to the US indefinitely after recent changes to import tariffs and customs rules imposed by President Donald Trump.
Australia Post announced the extraordinary temporary ban on Tuesday. It is effective immediately.
The government-owned entity’s decision is in response to the US government’s recent imposition of customs and import tariffs on parcels sent to America.
The changes include the US suspending the “de minimis” exemption for inbound goods worth less than $US800 (about $A1200), and requiring pre-payment of tariffs prior to items arriving. It will be halted from Friday (August 29).
The temporary suspension will affect business contracts, MyPost business and retail customers sending goods by post to the US.
Gifts worth less than $US100 (about $A150), letters and documents are unaffected.
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Australia Post is not the only postal operator to suspend operations to the US. Postal services in countries such as New Zealand, Norway, South Korea and Italy have also suspended many forms of shipping to the US, as have France’s La Poste, Germany’s Deutsche Post, Spain’s Correos, Poste Italiane and the Belgian, Swedish and Danish postal services.
Austria’s Österreichische Post and the UK’s Royal Mail are expected to stop sending parcels to the US by the end of August.
Australian Post is working with Zonos, an authorised US Customs and Border Protection third-party provider, on a solution for business customers.
Australia Post executive general manager, parcel, post and ecommerce services Gary Starr said a quick solution was being sought.
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“We are disappointed we have had to take this action,” he said.
“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.”
The temporary partial suspension also includes postal sending to Puerto Rico, which is a US Customs territory and is also affected by the Trump tariffs.
Postal goods sent to the US and Puerto Rico lodged on or after Tuesday will not be accepted by Australia Post until further notice.
It comes just a day after Australia Post announced it would hire 3500 seasonal team members ahead of the busy Christmas period.
Customers seeking an update can check the Australia Post website or call 13 POST (137 678).
-with AAP
