Australia Post restarts US deliveries three days early after tariff suspension

Australia Post will resume US deliveries ahead of schedule, bringing relief to thousands of small businesses hit by Trump's new tariff rules.

Australia Post will resume delivery to the United States three days earlier than expected after deliveries were stopped due to new tariffs and custom rules.

The service originally planned open up channels on September 25 but announced today that senders could post items to the US from Monday 22 September.

The sensational suspension began on August 26, affecting Business Contract, MyPost Business and retail customers, though giftsvalued under $US100, with letters exempt.

Along with other global postal operators, Australia Post partially suspended postal services to the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, US Virgin Islands and US Minor Outlying Islands.

Australia Post said it will work with third-party provider Zonos in the US to allow deliveries to the US to resume within days.

Australia Post Executive General Manager, Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services, Gary Starr said: “We’re pleased postal sending to the US for business customers will resume three days ahead of schedule.”

“We know our customers have felt the impact and disruption from changes the US Government made to customs and import tariff rules, and we have been working around the clock to restart sending as soon as possible,” he said.

“Along with more than 190 other postal providers internationally, we’ve been caught in a fast-moving situation not of our making.

“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.”

AUSSIE BUSINESSES BLOCKED FROM SHIPPING TO US

Small businesses were shocked last month when Australia Post moved to partially suspend the sending of parcels to the US in response to Donald Trump’s tariffs on low-value parcels.

Australian businesses selling to American customers were blocked from shipping to the US via Australia Post ahead of new levies from the Trump administration that began on August 29.

In July, Mr Trump signed an executive order to abolish the De Minimis exemption, which provides a pathway for goods valued under $US800 ($1234) to enter the US tax-free.

Services to the US will resume, Australia Post says. Picture: Getty Images

The parcel suspension applied to Business Contract, MyPost Business and retail customers.

Small business owners took to social media to update their customers after the move.

Shadow minister for small business, Tim Wilson, described the move as a “bad sign” that was “very concerning”, saying it would impact small businesses the most.

“A lot of small businesses depend on Australia Post to ship small goods internationally,” Wilson told Sky News.

“Small businesses are going to be the ones most impacted by this decision.”

He urged the Albanese government to find a solution “as quickly as possible”.

“I suspect (Ambassador) Kevin Rudd is going to be off to the White House or the Congress pretty quick smart, because we need to make sure this relationship is sorted. Because this is a very bad sign,” Mr Wilson said.

Skincare brand Dr Naomi Skin issued an apology to its US customers via Instagram, saying the firm was unable to accept orders from the US until further notice.

“Any orders made from US overnight we will refund,” the business said. “Will keep you posted with updates.”

Brooch and accessories brand Erstwilder also issued an update for its customers in the US, saying shipping would be temporarily paused.

“We’re so grateful for our wonderful American community, and it’s always our goal to make sure your parcels arrive with joy, not confusion or extra stress,” the company said.

Handcrafted by Bel, a business that specialises in party decor for children, also took to Instagram with an “important update for our USA customers”.

“Due to upcoming tariff changes in the United States (starting August 29, 2025), we’ve had to make the difficult decision to temporarily pause all orders headed to the USA,” the firm said.

“The new rules mean that all imports, regardless of value, will now be subject to import duties and customs charges.

“We’re currently waiting on guidance from Australia Post about how these will be collected. As soon as there’s a system in place, I’ll reopen orders for my lovely US customers.”

Aussie gamer and streamer Aj, who sells key chains and stickers through their small business UnElysian Art Studio, took to TikTok with an update for American customers.

Small businesses were alarmed by the move. Picture: Getty Images

“I won’t be able to send any parcel orders for the time being (for key chains and sticker books). Etsy won’t be allowing labels through Australia Post which is my primary carrier,” they said.

“But I can still send you stickers! They will still be in untracked letter mail.”

Brisbane-based maternity label Apero has also halted orders to the US, along with Spell, a Byron Bay-based bohemian fashion brand.

Dr Nicola Charwat, senior lecturer in business law and taxation at Monash Business School, said at the time of the ban that small businesses would cop a major impact.

“The impact in Australia will primarily be felt by small businesses that sell directly to American consumers,” she said.

“This includes businesses specialising in sustainable clothing and gifts, as well as distinctly Australian goods such as cosmetics, food and wine. These parcels will now be subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff.

“The real target appears to be major overseas retailers like Shein and Temu that also export directly to consumers and avoid much higher baseline tariffs of 25 per cent or more that apply to Chinese imports.

“American consumers are the real losers, facing either restricted access to overseas goods from online businesses or substantially higher prices to cover the tariffs. This is unlikely to play well to American voters who may also find that parcels from friends and family overseas will be impacted.”

Originally published as Australia Post restarts US deliveries three days early after tariff suspension