UniPol
18-12-2010, 01:14 PM
Got a bit of a shock when sending off a few packages to the States the other day at Australia Post. The postal officer informed me that a $9 surcharge was now payable on parcels/packages over 500g to the US but really didn't know why. Looking at Australia Post's website under "International Post Guide" I gleened the following information :
"Due to heightened border protection and increased aviation security measures introduced by the US Government applying to inbound freight, there is likely to be delays of around 48 hours to parcels being sent to the US. These new security measures have increased cost implications associated with screening and transport, and as a result a $9 surcharge will be imposed on all parcels over 453g (16 ounces) destined for the US.
This surcharge has been introduced solely to cover the costs of the revised security arrangements required by the United States, and Australia Post does not profit from the surcharge."
I paid an extra $36 for the four parcels I was sending which certainly was not budgeted for. I thought this info may be useful, at least from a "being informed" point of view.
"Due to heightened border protection and increased aviation security measures introduced by the US Government applying to inbound freight, there is likely to be delays of around 48 hours to parcels being sent to the US. These new security measures have increased cost implications associated with screening and transport, and as a result a $9 surcharge will be imposed on all parcels over 453g (16 ounces) destined for the US.
This surcharge has been introduced solely to cover the costs of the revised security arrangements required by the United States, and Australia Post does not profit from the surcharge."
I paid an extra $36 for the four parcels I was sending which certainly was not budgeted for. I thought this info may be useful, at least from a "being informed" point of view.