Australia Post Halts US Shipments Amid Tariff Changes

Australia Post has suspended various forms of postage to the United States, immediately affecting millions of customers. This decision is a direct response to newly implemented import tariff regulations that significantly alter the shipping landscape.

The suspension was announced on August 25, 2025, and will remain in place until further notice. According to Gary Starr, an executive at Australia Post, the organization is committed to maintaining a reliable postal service for international customers. “Guidance from US Customs and Border Protection has only recently been issued and, like more than 190 other postal providers, we’ve been working at pace to find a solution,” Starr stated. The changes necessitated a temporary suspension to allow time for the development of a workable solution.

The recent alterations include the revocation of the “De Minimis exemption,” which previously allowed items valued at less than US$800 to enter the US without incurring tariffs. Additionally, the new rules require pre-payment of tariffs prior to an item’s arrival in the country. As a result, Australia Post will not accept items for shipment to the US or Puerto Rico that are lodged on or after August 26, 2025.

This temporary measure affects various customer segments, including Business Contract, MyPost Business, and Retail customers. However, gifts valued under US$100, letters, and documents will still be processed without interruption.

The impact of these changes is not limited to Australia Post. Other postal services worldwide are also responding to the same tariff modifications. For instance, New Zealand Post recently announced a temporary halt on parcel shipments to the US, restricting services to letters and documents. European postal operators, including the Royal Mail in the UK, La Poste in France, Deutsche Post in Germany, Correos in Spain, and Poste Italiane, have similarly suspended most shipments to the US.

In addition, the international courier service DHL confirmed its suspension of business customer parcels via the postal network to the US, though it continues to offer shipping through its express service.

This decision comes just a day after Australia Post announced plans to hire 3,500 seasonal team members in preparation for the upcoming Christmas period. The organization is urging customers to stay informed by checking their website or contacting customer service at 13 POST (13 7678) for updates.

As the situation continues to evolve, Australia Post remains focused on finding a solution that accommodates the new tariff requirements while maintaining service continuity for its customers.