The restart date will be September 25, after a pause over deliveries was instituted earlier. This suspension was a direct response to the Trump administration’s recent introduction of a tariff targeting low-value parcels entering the country, which took effect last month.
It was too late for Australia Post, which preemptively halted deliveries to avoid the newly mandated fines. This decision primarily affected their shipper customers sending goods to the US. The new tariff, meant to alleviate concerns regarding international shipping costs, proved to be extremely burdensome for postal operators, including Australia Post.
It was a tough time for Australia Post. They worked hard to design the best possible solution that meets today’s extensive tariff requirements. Gary Starr, then-executive general manager of Australia Post, stressed the company’s intention to quickly fix these failures.
“Along with more than 190 other postal providers internationally, we’ve been caught in a fast-moving situation not of our making,” – Gary Starr
Starr acknowledged the difficulties faced by customers relying on Australia Post’s cost-efficient postal service for exporting goods to the US. He lamented the way the tariff’s burden has hit hardest on these small businesses.
“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,” – Gary Starr
Australia Post has confirmed its intention to raise the temporary suspension as planned. They stand prepared to restart services even sooner if that opportunity presents itself.
“While we are planning to lift the temporary suspension on Thursday 25 September, if we are able to lift this earlier, we absolutely will,” – Gary Starr
The resumption of services is expected to restore accessibility for both individual and business customers who depend on timely deliveries to the US. As Australia Post navigates through these regulatory changes, it continues to prioritize the needs of its clients while adhering to international shipping standards.
