Australia’s postal service will stop sending many items to the United States until further notice, due to recent changes to import tariffs and customs rules.

Australia Post announced the temporary ban on Tuesday, saying it was effective immediately.

The government-owned entity’s decision is in response to recent significant changes made by the US government to customs and import tariff rules for parcels sent to America.

Those changes include the US suspending the “De Minimis” exemption for inbound goods, valued below $US800 (about $A1,200), and requiring the pre-payment of tariffs prior to items arriving.

The temporary suspension will impact business contract, MyPost business and retail customers sending goods through the postal network to the US.

Gifts under $US100 (about $A150), letters and documents are unaffected by this change.

Australia Post is not the only postal operator to suspend operations to the United States.

In the meantime, Australia Post is working with Zonos, an authorised US Customs and Border Protection third-party provider, on a solution for business customers.

Australia Post Executive General Manager, Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services, Gary Starr, said it was working on a quick solution.

“We are disappointed we have had to take this action,” he said.

“However, due to the complex and rapidly evolving situation, a temporary partial suspension has been necessary to allow us to develop and implement a workable solution for our customers.

“Australia Post continues to work with US and Australian authorities and international postal partners to resume postal service to the US as a priority.”

The temporary partial suspension also includes postal sending to Puerto Rico, as it is a US Customs territory and has also been impacted by these tariff changes.

Postal goods sent to the US and Puerto Rico lodged on or after Tuesday, August 26, will not be accepted by Australia Post until further notice.

It comes just a day after Australia Post announced it would hire 3,500 seasonal team members ahead of the busy Christmas period.

Customers seeking an update can check the Australia Post website or call 13 POST (13 7678).

Source: AAP