In this episode of This Week in E-Commerce, Mal Chia and Alex Ross tackle the biggest disruption to Australian retail logistics in years: Australia Post has abruptly halted all standard parcel shipments to the US.

With the end of de minimis on August 29 and tariffs of up to $200 USD per parcel kicking in, brands relying on AusPost are suddenly scrambling to find alternatives — or risk being cut off from the US entirely.

Mal breaks down what’s behind the move, who it hits hardest, and what urgent steps retailers need to take now — from switching to commercial clearance to investing in 3PL or local US warehousing.

Also in this episode:

• 🏬 Adore Beauty’s retail expansion & profit growth

• 🛠️ New Zealand’s Kitchen Things enters receivership

• 💄 Mini Cooper x TBH Skincare: a very pink brand collab

• 🚨 Naked Sundays pulls SPF products amid safety concerns

🔑 Key Topic: Australia Post Halts US Shipments

• Triggered by the end of de minimis and uncertain US tariff processing

• Impacts all standard AusPost parcels to the US and Puerto Rico

• Commercial carriers (e.g., DHL, UPS) still operational via clearance model

• Retailers face $80–$200 USD duties per parcel during transition

• Solution coming via Zonos partnership — but not in time for BFCM

• Small and mid-sized brands especially vulnerable

Mal also gives credit to the WhatsApp retail community for helping brands navigate the crisis — with shoutouts to Dean Salakas, Jethro Marks, and Justin Irvine for their early insights and support.