SHIPPING FROM AUSTRALIA
TO THE UNITED STATES
DDP parcel shipping to the US, backed by SEKO's in-house licensed US customs brokers.
Shipping ecommerce parcels from Australia to the United States means navigating strict, fast-changing US customs rules, including the suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment since August 2025. SEKO ships Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) on this ecommerce lane, so your customers never face surprise charges at delivery. Backed by in-house, licensed US customs brokers, SEKO's Australia to US Standard service delivers 99% of parcels on time in 2026, with a 5.23 business-day average.
Already have US-based inventory or a US 3PL? Talk to our team to explore our US domestic shipping and fulfilment options.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN SEKO'S AUSTRALIA TO US PARCEL SHIPPING SOLUTION?
Every parcel shipped from Australia to the US with SEKO includes DDP as standard. Here's exactly what's covered:
| WHAT'S INCLUDED | PARCEL SHIPPING: AUSTRALIA TO USA |
|---|---|
| Incoterm | DDP only (Delivered Duty Paid) |
| Service Type | Standard |
| Transit Time | 3-8 business days (tracked) |
| Tracking | End-to-end, free branded tracking portal |
| Delivery Options | Signature, redelivery attempts, PO Box delivery supported |
| Max Weight | 15 kg |
| Max Dimensions | 68 x 43 x 43 cm, L + Girth 213 cm |
| Returns | Consolidated returns available |
IN-HOUSE, LICENSED US CUSTOMS BROKERS
Every Australia to US shipment is cleared through SEKO’s own in-house, fully licensed US customs brokers - a commercial solution built for growing ecommerce retailers. Our Australian team works closely with you to get your product data ready for US clearance, and our licensed brokers take it from there, managing the customs process directly on every parcel you ship.
"Working with SEKO was a real game changer for our USA business! When we engaged with SEKO for outbound orders, we were able to offer a competitive shipping service at a low cost, helping us save money to reinvest in the business!"
Ena Eaton, Operations Manager, Hello Molly
UNITED STATES CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS FOR AUSTRALIAN ECOMMERCE RETAILERS
Last reviewed 22 June 2026 by Jason Lowe, GM Ecommerce ANZ, SEKO Logistics
Every parcel shipped from Australia to the US now requires duty payment to clear customs, regardless of its value. Previously, parcels valued under USD 800 could enter the US duty-free under a de minimis exemption. The US suspended that exemption for all countries on 29 August 2025, and it remains suspended today. Clearing quickly depends on providing US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with accurate consignment data on every shipment. A parcel with missing, vague, or incorrect data can be delayed, rejected, or sent back at your cost.
CUSTOMS DATA REQUIRED FOR EVERY USA SHIPMENT
When you onboard with SEKO, our team reviews your data setup and makes sure you know exactly what's required and how to provide it, while our in-house licensed US customs brokers manage the clearance itself on every shipment.
Country of Origin (COO)
The country where a product was manufactured, produced, or substantially transformed. CBP uses COO to determine duty rates and eligibility for trade agreements. An incorrect or missing COO declaration can delay clearance or result in the wrong duty being charged. This information must be provided in each shipment's consignment data.
Manufacturer's Identification (MID)
MID is a code identifying the manufacturer of the goods being imported into the US. The MID, or the manufacturer's name and address, must be provided for a formal clearance. Missing or incorrect MID details are a common cause of clearance delays.
HTS Code
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code classifies your product and determines the duty rate applied. It's a 10-digit code used in the United States for classifying imported goods and calculating applicable customs duties. Freight will stop if HTS codes are not correct.
Product Description
A specific, accurate description of the goods inside a parcel. Since 1 October 2024, CBP has rejected clearance for parcels with vague or ambiguous goods descriptions, so provide clear, detailed descriptions for every consignment you ship. For example, "women's 100% cotton t-shirt" rather than "clothing". For information on acceptable descriptions, please refer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
Customs Bond
A customs bond is a financial guarantee to CBP that duties, taxes, and fees will be paid to the U.S. Government. A valid bond must be on file before CBP will release your goods.
For businesses importing regularly, a Continuous Bond is the most efficient and cost-effective option. Unlike a Single-Entry Bond, which must be purchased for every individual shipment, a Continuous Bond covers all shipments for 12 months and stays on file in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) allowing faster release of goods.
CHILDREN'S AND SAFETY-REGULATED PRODUCTS
From 8 July 2026, CBP requires electronic filing of product certification data for around 600 HTS codes flagged by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as high-risk. Children's products, including clothing, are a common example, given the stricter safety standards they must meet. View the full list of affected HTS codes.
"With SEKO, we can be confident and trust them because they have people on the ground at places such as Customs and Border Protection in the U.S. I don’t have to be an expert in that."
Donal Breslin, Managing Director, Nomad The Label
READY TO SHIP TO THE USA WITH CONFIDENCE?
Speak to a SEKO specialist about your Australia to US parcel shipping.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, the US de minimis exemption, which allowed duty-free entry for parcels under USD 800, was suspended for all countries from 29 August 2025. Every parcel shipped from Australia to the US now requires duty payment, regardless of its value.
There's no single rate that applies across the board. It depends on your product's HTS classification and its country of origin (COO). Baseline tariffs from 2018 still apply to many Chinese-origin goods, alongside newer, sometimes temporary tariffs that have changed multiple times since 2025. Your product's HTS code determines the applicable rate - you can look this up directly using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, or speak to a SEKO specialist for guidance.
SEKO’s tracked Australia to US Standard service typically delivers in 3-8 business days, with a 2026 average of 5.23 business days and a 99% on-time delivery rate.
Delivery times vary slightly by state. On average in 2026, SEKO delivers to California in 4.38 business days, Texas in 5.48 business days, Florida in 5.73 business days, and New York in 5.72 business days. Consistent with the overall 3-8 business day range and 5.23 day national average.
Yes, PO Box delivery is supported on SEKO’s Australia to US Standard ecommerce service, alongside signature and redelivery options.
Yes. SEKO supports New Zealand-based ecommerce retailers shipping to the US as well as Australian retailers.
Yes, SEKO ships ecommerce parcels from Australia to the UK, EU, New Zealand, Canada, key Asian markets and the Middle East, in addition to the US. See our key destinations on our International Ecommerce Shipping page.
ANY QUESTIONS, WE CAN HELP – HERE’S JUST A FEW WE RECEIVE REGULARLY
- What locations do you serve?
We empower you to scale into every core market, with 150+ offices and counting.
- Can you ship what I need to ship?
No matter how specialist or time-critical your request, we can handle it all.
- How much will it cost me?
No two shipments are the same, so inquire today for an exact quote.
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