US customs rules for ecommerce parcels have changed significantly since 2025, and getting them wrong now carries real consequences. SEKO ships Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) from Australia to the United States, backed by in-house, licensed US customs brokers, so your customers never face surprise charges and your shipments stay compliant. 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.

3-8
business days fully tracked AU to US Standard service
99%
of AU to US parcels delivered on time in 2026
5.23
business days delivery average for AU to US Standard service in 2026

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

"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

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.

"Trade policy may be dynamic, but the fundamentals remain the backbone of compliance, even in 2026. Companies across international supply chains need clear guidance on tariff policy so they can price accurately and enter goods compliantly, ensuring the proper duties are paid. SEKO is here to help companies navigate exactly that." William Jansen, Director of Customs Brokerage Services, SEKO Logistics

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 parcels 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, address, and phone number or email 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. SEKO checks your product SKUs against the CPSC high-risk list as part of onboarding, so you know upfront whether this requirement applies to you. 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.

SPEAK TO A SPECIALIST

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.

Most ecommerce parcels shipped to the US qualify for Informal Entry (Type 11), which applies to non-restricted goods valued at USD 2,500 or less and allows for simpler, faster processing. SEKO also manages Formal Entry (Type 01) for larger, bulk, or B2B shipments above that threshold. Either way, duty applies and clearance is handled by SEKO's in-house licensed US customs brokers.

SEKO's Standard service is a cost-effective, reliable option with delivery times faster than the industry average, typically 3–8 business days. With DDP, duty is prepaid too, so there's no unexpected cost for your customer at delivery. Together, that means fewer delays and fewer returns than options that look cheaper upfront but expose your customer to charges later.

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.

Please complete the form below and we’ll be back in touch soon!

By completing this form, you are confirming that you agree to the storing of your personal data by SEKO Logistics - as described in our Website Privacy Notice & Terms of Use.