With recent changes to US customs rules, all shipments, regardless of value, now require duties and taxes to be paid upfront. To make this easy, Australia Post has partnered with Zonos so you can continue shipping without disruptions or unexpected costs for your customers.
The changes
The US has removed the de minimis threshold for imports. Previously, goods valued under USD 800 could enter the country without duties and taxes. With this change, all shipments require duties and taxes to be calculated and collected at the time of import.
For merchants, this means you must ship on a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) basis.
Learn more about these changes in our guide here.
What Zonos does
Zonos is a third-party platform that simplifies cross-border trade. To support Australian businesses through this change, Australia Post has partnered with Zonos, a global leader in cross-border compliance and landed cost solutions. This partnership gives Australia Post merchants a clear, supported pathway to continue shipping to the US without disruption.
By integrating your Australia Post account with Zonos, you’ll be able to:
- Automatically calculate and pay duties and taxes on US shipments.
- Bill those duties and taxes back to your Zonos payment method (so the customer doesn’t need to pay on delivery).
- Ensure compliance with DDP requirements.
- Protect your customers from surprise charges on delivery.
This means your customers get a seamless delivery experience with no surprise costs, while you stay compliant with the new regulations.
Setting up Zonos with Australia Post
Creating a Zonos account is free, although you'll need to add a payment method for customs duties and taxes.
- Go to zonos.com and click Ship with Australia Post.
- Click Start today.
- Fill in the required information to create your account.
- Add a payment method to cover duties and taxes. Zonos will bill this payment method for customs duties, taxes, and postal clearance fees.
- Depending on your Australia Post setup:
- If you use an Australia Post eParcel account: In Starshipit, go to Settings > Couriers > Australia Post Settings and copy your MLID.
- If you use a MyPost Business account: You’ll need your Customer Number (APBCN). This number is not in Starshipit — it’s found in your MyPost Business portal
- Your APBCN will be displayed under your name on the MPB Dashboard, OR
Log in to your MyPost Business account and navigate to your Send & Save page. Your APBCN will be displayed under your unique QR code.
- Your APBCN will be displayed under your name on the MPB Dashboard, OR
- Enter the MLID or Customer Number into your Zonos Dash to complete the connection.
- Start shipping through Starshipit
- Once connected, you can ship via Starshipit using Australia Post.
- All duties and taxes will be charged to your Zonos payment method automatically.
About DDP labels with Australia Post
Other than following the above steps to set up a Verified Zonos account, you don’t need to configure anything in Starshipit or Australia Post to make labels ship on a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) basis. This happens automatically for all shipments to the United States and is managed by Australia Post.
Key takeaway
To continue shipping to the US without disruptions, you must use DDP. Zonos provides the link between Australia Post and Starshipit that ensures your shipments are compliant, duties and taxes are handled upfront, and your customers have a smooth experience.