Practical
freight guide
Shipping to the United States changed materially when duty-free de minimis treatment was suspended globally in August 2025. U.S. Customs and Border Protection states that goods valued at or below US$800 are no longer automatically eligible for that treatment. Low value should not be confused with no customs work.
Clever Couriers helps Australian businesses compare eligible international courier and air-freight services to the USA. The available option depends on the packed pieces, commodity, value, destination ZIP code, urgency and party prepared to make entry.
Confirm who will be the importer of record
The US buyer, distributor, related company or another eligible party may act as importer of record. A customs broker can make entry under a valid power of attorney, but the importer remains responsible for reasonable care, declarations and records.
A fulfilment centre, marketplace warehouse or customer’s delivery contact does not automatically agree to import. Obtain the importer’s legal name, address, tax identifier where required and broker contact before collection. If an Australian business proposes to act as a non-resident importer, it should obtain specialist advice about a US agent, bond and tax obligations.
Do not rely on the former US$800 de minimis rule
CBP’s current guidance says non-postal shipments are subject to applicable duties, taxes and fees and require an appropriate entry filed through the Automated Commercial Environment by a party qualified to make entry. Postal processes have their own current duty-payment arrangements.
The treatment is operationally complex and can change. Do not promise a customer that a parcel is duty-free because its value is below US$800, and do not divide one order into smaller consignments to avoid normal import requirements.
Classify goods to the US tariff
The first six digits of an HS code are internationally harmonised, but the United States uses a ten-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule number for import reporting. The importer or broker should confirm the full code based on the product’s material, construction, function and use.
Write specific invoice descriptions. “Machined 6061 aluminium coupling for an industrial water pump” is more useful than “metal part”. Include model, quantity and part number where they assist classification or link the goods to technical documents.
Check current tariffs as well as AUSFTA
The Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement can provide preferential treatment for goods that satisfy its rules of origin. Dispatch from Australia is not enough: imported inputs may need to meet a tariff-change or regional-value rule, and the importer needs evidence supporting the claim.
Current US tariff measures can apply alongside or instead of ordinary rates, including product-specific measures. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises exporters to check current announcements and seek independent advice. Avoid quoting a fixed duty percentage until the code, origin and import date have been reviewed.
Check partner-agency requirements
CBP is not the only authority at the border. Food, beverages, supplements, cosmetics, medicines and medical devices can involve the Food and Drug Administration. Plants, seeds, animal products and timber can involve the Department of Agriculture. Radio equipment, chemicals, vehicles and energy-related products can fall under other federal agencies.
Country-of-origin marking is also a separate requirement for many imported goods. The importer should verify labelling, registrations, permits and pre-arrival data before dispatch. Clever Couriers does not certify US product compliance.
Decide whether courier or air freight fits
Courier services can suit compatible documents, samples and cartons. Larger pieces, pallets, formal broker-controlled entries or airport collection can call for commercial air freight. Compare door-to-door scope with airport arrival, clearance, terminal and inland costs.
Measure every sealed item and provide its gross weight. Light bulky products can be charged by volumetric weight, and long or heavy pieces may need a tailored service. Pallets must be stable and forkliftable.
Build a US delivery address that works
Provide the company, recipient, street number and name, suite or unit, city, two-letter state code, five-digit ZIP code and, where available, ZIP+4. Add a local telephone number and email for delivery or customs contact.
Residential addresses, remote areas, islands, military sites, hospitals, construction projects and fulfilment centres can have special requirements. Puerto Rico and other US territories should be identified explicitly because service and customs treatment may differ from a mainland state.
USA quote checklist
- Australian pickup and complete US physical address;
- city, state, ZIP code, suite and local contact;
- consignee, importer of record and customs broker;
- piece count, packaging, dimensions and gross weights;
- detailed goods and confirmed ten-digit HTS numbers;
- value, currency, origin and transaction purpose;
- AUSFTA evidence where preferential treatment is intended;
- FDA, USDA or other agency data where applicable;
- dangerous-goods information and product markings; and
- payer for duties, tariffs, brokerage and delivery charges.
Quote around the current US import process
Clever Couriers can compare currently eligible options and support the booking and tracking. CBP, the importer’s broker and any partner government agency determine the entry type, tariffs, admissibility and release. Requirements should be checked for the actual dispatch date.
Transit estimates exclude customs holds and incomplete importer action. FreightSafe offers limited protection only and is not comprehensive transit insurance.