Australia Post force majeure price increase (Nov 2022)
As of Monday 28th November, 2022 shipping rates for standard parcel post deliveries to states outside WA will have a 40% levy applied due to Australia Post declaring force majeure as a result of the recent disruptions to distribution channels. For this reason, we strongly suggest that all orders to be delivered outside WA select 'Express Post' as the shipping method. While the standard 'Parcel Post' service is still available, the 40% levy will automatically be applied to that shipping method at the time of checkout.
Full details of the notice from Australia Post can be found below:
An important update regarding deliveries to and from Western Australia
Dear Customer,
Extreme weather and flooding have caused significant damage and closure of rail lines and major roads. This is continuing to disrupt and impact transport infrastructure and supply chains to and from Western Australia.
The Australian Government's National Emergency Management Agency has advised that while the transport system is slowly recovering, the current supply chain disruptions are likely to be ongoing until at least Christmas.
I want to keep you informed about what this means for your business as we prepare for the upcoming sales events.
What's changing?
Introduction of a WA Emergency Service: With key road and rail transport arrangements into and out of Western Australia significantly disrupted or unavailable, we are obliged to declare an emergency ‘force majeure' event. This means the acceptance and delivery of Parcel Post (eParcel) and StarTrack Road Express consignments under the terms and conditions of your existing agreement are unfortunately suspended and cannot be offered in the short term.
Until these critical lanes can resume efficiently, we have stood up a replacement “WA Emergency Service” option that includes an additional temporary levy to assist with the significant increase in road transport costs into and out of Western Australia. This will help ensure we can continue to deliver for our customers. The WA Emergency Service terms are outlined below and apply until the force majeure events come to an end.
The WA Emergency Service will incur an additional emergency measure cost of 40% (ex GST) of the freight charges currently set out in your agreement.
The WA Emergency Service fee is temporary and will apply to all articles lodged for interstate delivery into, or from, Western Australia.
The WA Emergency Service will come into effect for any parcels lodged and/or manifested from Monday, 28 November 2022. The fee will appear on your invoice and will be payable in line with your existing arrangements.
There is currently no change to our Express Post and StarTrack Premium services.
Changes to pre-Christmas final lodgement dates for deliveries to and from WA: Given this ongoing situation and the current delays, we have brought forward our recommended pre-Christmas final lodgement dates for Parcel Post deliveries for our Business and Government customers by one week.
The new dates are as follows:
Deliveries to WA from the east coast of Australia:
lodgement by 8 December.
Deliveries to NSW from WA:
lodgement by 6 December.
Deliveries to VIC and QLD from WA:
lodgement by 5 December.
For StarTrack Road Express services, it is recommended you continue to review the StarTrack transit grid, although delays may be experienced for deliveries to and from WA. We recommend lodging your freight as early as possible.
Our Express Post and StarTrack Premium services are currently unaffected, and customers who need to send items to Western Australia urgently are encouraged to consider these options. However, as more customers opt to use these, we may see a delay on these lanes and will advise should there be any change.
If you have any questions regarding these changes, please continue to work with your account manager. They can assist you with reviewing your supply chains to and from Western Australia, including lead times on sales events, so you can adjust your information and communication to customers accordingly.
Despite these external challenges, I want to assure you that we are doing all we can to continue to deliver for you and explore all available options to keep your items moving. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through these disruptions together and we will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves.
Full details of the notice from Australia Post can be found below:
An important update regarding deliveries to and from Western Australia
Dear Customer,
Extreme weather and flooding have caused significant damage and closure of rail lines and major roads. This is continuing to disrupt and impact transport infrastructure and supply chains to and from Western Australia.
The Australian Government's National Emergency Management Agency has advised that while the transport system is slowly recovering, the current supply chain disruptions are likely to be ongoing until at least Christmas.
I want to keep you informed about what this means for your business as we prepare for the upcoming sales events.
What's changing?
Introduction of a WA Emergency Service: With key road and rail transport arrangements into and out of Western Australia significantly disrupted or unavailable, we are obliged to declare an emergency ‘force majeure' event. This means the acceptance and delivery of Parcel Post (eParcel) and StarTrack Road Express consignments under the terms and conditions of your existing agreement are unfortunately suspended and cannot be offered in the short term.
Until these critical lanes can resume efficiently, we have stood up a replacement “WA Emergency Service” option that includes an additional temporary levy to assist with the significant increase in road transport costs into and out of Western Australia. This will help ensure we can continue to deliver for our customers. The WA Emergency Service terms are outlined below and apply until the force majeure events come to an end.
The WA Emergency Service will incur an additional emergency measure cost of 40% (ex GST) of the freight charges currently set out in your agreement.
The WA Emergency Service fee is temporary and will apply to all articles lodged for interstate delivery into, or from, Western Australia.
The WA Emergency Service will come into effect for any parcels lodged and/or manifested from Monday, 28 November 2022. The fee will appear on your invoice and will be payable in line with your existing arrangements.
There is currently no change to our Express Post and StarTrack Premium services.
Changes to pre-Christmas final lodgement dates for deliveries to and from WA: Given this ongoing situation and the current delays, we have brought forward our recommended pre-Christmas final lodgement dates for Parcel Post deliveries for our Business and Government customers by one week.
The new dates are as follows:
Deliveries to WA from the east coast of Australia:
lodgement by 8 December.
Deliveries to NSW from WA:
lodgement by 6 December.
Deliveries to VIC and QLD from WA:
lodgement by 5 December.
For StarTrack Road Express services, it is recommended you continue to review the StarTrack transit grid, although delays may be experienced for deliveries to and from WA. We recommend lodging your freight as early as possible.
Our Express Post and StarTrack Premium services are currently unaffected, and customers who need to send items to Western Australia urgently are encouraged to consider these options. However, as more customers opt to use these, we may see a delay on these lanes and will advise should there be any change.
If you have any questions regarding these changes, please continue to work with your account manager. They can assist you with reviewing your supply chains to and from Western Australia, including lead times on sales events, so you can adjust your information and communication to customers accordingly.
Despite these external challenges, I want to assure you that we are doing all we can to continue to deliver for you and explore all available options to keep your items moving. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through these disruptions together and we will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves.
Updated on: 25/11/2022
Thank you!