US Tariffs on Australia: What the New Section 301 Duties Mean for Exporters

On 24 July 2026, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) placed Australia among 60 economies facing new Section 301 duties for failing to enforce prohibitions on forced-labour imports. The new US tariffs on Australia set a 12.5% duty on most Australian-origin goods, replacing the 10% Section 122 Temporary Import Surcharge. 

For Australian businesses still shipping to US buyers, the duty owed depends on how each product is classified. Exemptions and low-value parcel rules change that calculation for many shipments.

   

        

   

     

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US Tariffs on Australia Today: Quick Facts for Exporters

• Applies from 24 July 2026, replacing the 10% Section 122 Temporary Import Surcharge
• Sets Australia's Section 301 rate at 12.5% for covered goods.
• Excludes articles already subject to Section 232 tariffs, plus listed commodities such as beef and pharmaceuticals.
• Keeps the US$800 de minimis exemption suspended, so low-value parcels still attract applicable duties, taxes and fees.
• Exporters should check the HS code, country of origin, declared value and any applicable exemptions before calculating the landed cost of a shipment to the US.

Couriers & Freight books sea and air freight to the US for Australian exporters shipping under the new duty.

Section 301 Tariff Tiers: What It Means for Australian Exporters

The Section 301 action does not apply a flat rate. Australia falls into the 12.5% group, while 17 economies receive a 10% rate. Five other economies receive a 10% or 12.5% rate calculated net of their existing Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) duty.

For the MFN-capped tier, the Section 301 duty is calculated net of the existing MFN duty rather than added on top. USTR based the split between 10% and 12.5% on each economy's measures against forced-labour imports, which placed Australia in the higher group.

Under the new US tariffs on Australia, a Sydney homewares brand quoting US buyers should add the 12.5% duty on covered goods to its landed cost. Brands selling on delivered duty paid (DDP) terms absorb that duty themselves.

Exemptions and Sector-Specific Tariffs: Beef, Pharmaceuticals and Metals

US tariffs on Australia exclude articles already subject to Section 232 tariffs. Informational materials, donations and accompanied baggage are also exempt. USTR's own findings named specific exempt commodities: 

• Energy
• Rare earths and certain other metals
• Beef
• Coffee
• Certain fruits and vegetables
• Pharmaceuticals

Australian steel and aluminium remain exempt from the 50% Section 232 metals surcharge that applies to most other suppliers. Australian beef enters without the Section 301 duty because it is on USTR's exempt commodity list. Both exemptions were in place when USTR implemented the new duties on 24 July 2026. 

US Tariffs on Australia Post Parcels and E-commerce Shipments

The US$800 de minimis exemption remains suspended for low-value shipments entering the US. This means goods valued at US$800 or less can still be subject to applicable duties, taxes and fees. Under the US tariffs on Australia, this now includes the 12.5% Section 301 duty for covered goods.

For a Melbourne clothing seller shipping individual orders to US customers, each parcel needs an accurate declared value and product description. The HS classification and country of origin must also match the goods inside. Checking the required customs documentation before dispatch helps you pick up missing details before you lodge the shipment. 

Australia Post shipments also have specific documentation requirements. US-bound parcels now require a 10-digit HS tariff code, with the country of origin and value declared for each item. 

Exporters sending larger commercial consignments can work through an international customs documents checklist alongside a correctly prepared commercial invoice.

Shipping to the US After the New Tariffs: How Couriers & Freight Can Help

Before its next shipment to a US distributor, an Australian skincare brand should confirm the HS code and country of origin, since both determine the US tariffs on Australia-to-US shipments. 

Couriers & Freight provides full container load (FCL) and less-than-container load (LCL) sea freight to the US, plus international air freight for time-sensitive orders. The Perth brand can then pick a mode based on order volume and the distributor's delivery date.

Get a quote for your US sea or air freight shipment through Couriers & Freight. 

   

        

   

     

Book Sea or Air Freight to the US

     

Book sea or air freight from Australia to US buyers and distributors.

     Get a Quote Now