Changes to International services when sending to the United States

These changes vary depending on if you’re a Personal customer or sending on account with NZ Post.

Quick links to the information on this page:


The following information applies to Personal customers.

From 16 September 2020, due to the United States Postal Service (USPS) increasing the price they charge for mail and parcel delivery, the cost of sending to the United States for most services will increase considerably. This impacts our under 2kg products the most Including International Air Small Parcel.

Previously the costs for delivery were standardised by the Universal Postal Union (UPU). This meant more favourable delivery rates were offered for some international senders than the rates USPS currently charge for their own domestic sending within the United States. This changed in September 2019 with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) allowing the USPS to set their own rates for the delivery of international mail and parcels originating outside the United States.

While we are focussed on keeping costs to a minimum and are always looking for ways to provide our service more efficiently, like many other delivery services around the world, we have had to make the decision to pass some of these costs on.

Changes to our products and services

Price increase on sending parcels to the US

The changes made by the United States Postal Service (USPS) will result in an increase to the cost of international services you use. These changes have increased the rate of sending a parcel to the USA considerably, impacting our under 2kg products the most including International Air Small Parcel.

The introduction of a US specific sending Zone

From 16 September 2020, we are introducing a new Zone US for sending documents and parcels to the USA. This ensures that these increases will only impact your shipping costs to the United States and not the other areas covered in Zone D.

Questions and answers

1. What do the changes mean for sending parcels to the US?
Changes made by the USPS have resulted in increases to the cost of international services. These changes have a considerable impact on the price of sending a parcel to the USA when using our International Air Small Parcel, International Air Parcel and International Courier services.

2. Why is the price increase more significant for under 2kg items?
The price increase is more significant for under 2kg items as these items experienced a larger change in cost that other services. These changes better reflect the costs that USPS incur for delivery of these items.

3. What does this mean for parcels coming from the USA to New Zealand?
These changes relate to parcels being sent from New Zealand to the United States via USPS. The rates for sending from the US to New Zealand are not set by NZ Post.

4. Is NZ Post the only postal service provider impacted by USPS changes?
No, these changes impact a large number of postal operators around the world.

5. Will USPS rate changes affect the cost of sending mail and parcels to other countries?
The USPS pricing changes only impacts the cost of sending your items from New Zealand to the USA.

6. Why is NZ Post introducing a new US specific sending zone and removing USA from Zone D?
The introduction of the new Zone US for sending documents and parcels to the USA ensures that these increases will only impact your sending costs to the United States and not the other areas covered in Zone D.


Changes to International services when sending to the United States from 1 October 2020

The following information applies to Business customers.

From 1 October 2020, due to the United States Postal Service (USPS) increasing the price they charge for mail and parcel delivery, the cost of sending to the United States for most services will increase considerably.

This impacts our under 2kg products the most (including International Air Small Parcel, International Air Satchel and International Air Satchel Tracked).

Previously the costs for delivery were standardised by the Universal Postal Union (UPU). This meant more favourable delivery rates were offered for some international senders than the rates USPS currently charge for their own domestic sending within the United States. This changed in September 2019 with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) allowing the USPS to set their own rates for the delivery of international mail and parcels originating outside the United States.

While we are focussed on keeping costs to a minimum and are always looking for ways to provide our service more efficiently, like many other delivery services around the world, we have had to make the decision to pass some of these costs on.

Changes to our products and services

United States specific sending Zone

From 1 October 2020, we are introducing a new Zone US for sending documents and parcels to the USA. This ensures that these increases will only impact your shipping costs to the United States and not the other areas covered in Zone D.

Launch of GoUSA

A cost-effective commercial courier service to send to the US for our business customers is now available. Please speak with your Business Manager or learn more information about our GoUSA service.

Questions and answers

1. What do the changes mean for sending parcels to the US?
Changes made by the USPS have resulted in increases to the cost of international services. These changes have a considerable impact on the price of sending a parcel to the USA when using our International Air Small Parcel, International Air Parcel and International Courier services.

2. Why is the price increase more significant for under 2kg items?
The price increase is more significant for under 2kg items as these items experienced a larger change in cost that other services. These changes better reflect the costs that USPS incur for delivery of these items.

3. How does the USPS rates increase affect the prices my business pays?
NZ Post rates for sending to the US will increase to pass on some of the USPS cost increase. Your pricing schedule will be updated where applicable with the new US sending zone and rates.

4. What do I need to do when this change happens?
When your shipping rates to USA increase from 1 October 2020, we will make system changes to reflect your new pricing. You may wish to review and adjust the prices you charge your customers for orders shipping to USA due to the increase in prices.

5. What does this mean for parcels coming from the USA to New Zealand?
These changes relate to parcels being sent from New Zealand to the United States via USPS. The rates for sending from the US to New Zealand are not set by NZ Post.

6. Is NZ Post the only postal service provider impacted by USPS changes?
No, these changes impact a large number of postal operators around the world.

7. Will USPS rate changes affect the cost of sending mail and parcels to other destinations?
The changes in the USPS rate structure only impacts items destined for the USA. Other rates are reviewed on an annual basis to reflect changes in cost.