Australian online retailers already feeling impact of Trump’s tariffs

Darshana

8th Apr 2025

A survey has found that 37.7 per cent of small to medium-sized Australian businesses selling internationally have already been impacted by the tariffs imposed on Chinese goods by the US. 

The survey, conducted by Interparcel, found Australian e-commerce retailers had growing concerns over the cost of bulk shipping to the US and the increased costs of importing. 

The tariffs on Chinese goods entering the US, currently at 20 per cent, will see a further 34 per cent increase from April 9 for products with a Country of Origin (COO) from China and Hong Kong. 

The De Minimis exemption, which allows shipments under US$800 to enter the US duty-free, will also be removed for all products originating from China and Hong Kong from May 2. 

All shipments with products that originate from China or Hong Kong will be subject to import duties and full customs processing regardless of their value.

“Australian e-commerce brands are facing increasingly higher costs and growing shipping complexities. For many, adapting quickly will be crucial to survival,” said Interparcel CEO Steve Zammit.

The survey found that many Australian businesses have been rethinking their supply chains in order to achieve long-term sustainability.