Australia Post set to resume US deliveries

Good news for Aussie exporters: Australia Post is planning to resume parcel deliveries to the United States and its territories by Thursday, 25 September 2025. After a few weeks of disruption, our small businesses can breathe a sigh of relief… well, mostly.

The temporary pause came after the US changed its customs and import tariff rules at the end of August. Suddenly, goods entering the US, no matter how small, were subject to duties and tariffs. This left Australia Post and hundreds of other international postal providers in a tricky spot, with small businesses suddenly facing roadblocks to sending their products across the Pacific.

Australia Post’s Executive General Manager, Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services Gary Starr, explained the delivery service had been caught off-guard by the tariff situation.

“We’ve been caught in a fast-moving situation not of our making,” he said. “Our real focus has been on our customers who export goods to the US and rely on our cost-efficient postal service. We’ve been working around the clock to find a solution.”

So, what’s changed? Australia Post is now working with Zonos, a third-party provider approved by US Customs and Border Protection, to help business customers meet the new rules. This solution will allow parcels to start moving to the US again. Australia Post promises that if they can lift the suspension earlier than 25 September, they absolutely will.

The unexpected impact of US tariffs

While AusPost resuming parcel delivery is good news, the US rules have added a hefty layer of complexity and cost for Aussie businesses. Before the shake-up, small parcels under US $800 could be sent duty-free. Now, even small items may attract tariffs of anywhere from US $80 to $200, depending on the product. For micro and small businesses, that’s a serious chunk of cash and on top of shipping, it can make an export order tricky to price competitively.

Some retailers have already put US sales on pause, while others are scrambling to set up US-based fulfilment solutions or use private couriers like FedEx, DHL, or UPS. These services still deliver to the US but at a significantly higher cost. As one small business owner told us: “It’s like suddenly being charged admission for a party we’ve been going to for free for years.”

Even though Australia Post is working to reopen the post office network for US deliveries, there’s still a catch: gifts under USD $100 are exempt from tariffs, but anything above that is fair game. So businesses will need to think carefully about order sizes, pricing, and how to communicate extra costs to customers. Transparency is essential. No one likes an unexpected bill arriving from across the world.

Make a plan now

Right now it’s key for Aussie small businesses is to plan, not panic. Keep a close eye on updates from Australia Post. Their website and the 13 POST line (13 7678) are the best places to stay in the loop. It’s also worth exploring US-based fulfilment partners, which can help sidestep some of the new tariffs, or considering private couriers if you’ve got time-sensitive orders that just can’t wait. You might need to revisit your pricing too, factoring in extra duties without blindsiding your customers. And above all, be upfront with your US buyers about potential delays or costs. A little honesty goes a long way in keeping those overseas customers happy.

Aussie businesses are resilient, and while the new US rules aren’t ideal, Australia Post’s workaround means exports can start moving again, even if the dollars and cents require a few careful calculations. So, if you’ve been holding off sending your parcels to Uncle Sam, mark your calendar: the US is back on the delivery map.

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