Australia Post says it plans to lift its partial suspension of parcel deliveries to the United States — a decision that was sparked by the Trump administration’s tariffs.
Following similar announcements from other international postal operators, Australia Post announced in late August that it would partially suspend postal services to the US and its overseas territories due to changes in US customs rules for parcels.
That change led to the end of an exemption that allowed parcels and goods valued below US$800 (approximately $1,200) to enter the country duty-free — a move that has affected Australian businesses selling to American customers and Australians sending expensive presents to loved ones across the ocean.
Australia Post said the suspension was unfortunate, although necessary, because it did not have a system in place to collect the duties.
However, on Tuesday, Australia Post revealed it had set up a collaboration with an external platform to restart postal services for its business clients by or before 25 September.
Australia Post executive general manager Gary Starr said: “While we are planning to lift the temporary suspension on Thursday 25 September, if we are able to lift this earlier, we absolutely will.”
Australia Post is still working on a way to allow non-business customers to send higher-value parcels to the US and has not confirmed when services will resume for these customers.
Customers can still send ordinary letters and documents, as well as gifts valued under US$100 ($153), which remain duty-free.
