What is a Verified Account?
A Verified Account is a free account you can set up with Zonos. You'll get free access to tools to help you calculate U.S. duties and get HTS codes, but the main purpose of the Verified Account is to allow to you continue shipping to the U.S. via the post.
What you get
How it works
- When you create your Zonos Verified Account, you'll select what kind of Australia Post shipper number you have (MLID, APCN,or APBCN) and enter it.
- Zonos will use that number to link your Verified Account to your business account with AusPost.
- Then, when you send shipments under $800 USD to the U.S. via AusPost, Zonos will bill you for the associated duty and postal clearance fees.
How much does it cost?
There are no subscription costs.
There is a postal clearance fee charged per shipment, which varies by post. You can view yours during the sign-up process (after creating the account, you can view it in your Dashboard's Billing Settings, under Plan.)
While Zonos offers other subscription-based ecommerce solutions, you do not need them. All you need is your free Verified Account.
What you need to do to ship postal to the U.S.
| Step 1 (one-time setup)
Create a free Zonos Verified Account
- Follow your referral link from AusPost's email, or click "Sign up today" below.
- Create your account. Sign up with your Google or Microsoft account (or enter your information manually), enter your business information and click "Continue to Dashboard Lite." At this point, you have an account, but it isn't verified until you complete the next step.
- Add a payment method and your Australia Post shipper number (MLID, APCN, or APBCN) to turn your account into a Verified Account. View the FAQs below if you're unsure where to find these.
- If you have multiple shipper numbers, you need to follow these steps to create a Verified Account for each one.
After successfully completing these steps, congrats! You now have a Zonos Verified Account. This account enables AusPost to accept your U.S.-bound packages, knowing that the requirement for duty payment will be fulfilled. Zonos will bill you for the duties and postal clearances fees on each shipment tied to your Verified Account.
| Step 2 (optional)
Use free Zonos tools to calculate duty costs
So you can add them to your shipping/product prices
If you aren’t already including duty costs at checkout, Zonos' free tools can help you calculate them. After you’ve calculated the duties and fees, you can adjust product prices or shipping prices so shoppers pay the duties upfront.
This way, when you’re billed for the duty costs associated with your U.S. shipments, you’ll have already collected it and have it ready to pay.
Your Verified Account does not integrate with your ecommerce website to collect duties from your shoppers at checkout. It's only purpose is to allow you to continue shipping to the U.S., as a means to pay U.S. duties when required.
| Step 3
Ship your packages to the U.S.
Ship your packages as you normally do (and from the same systems that you normally ship from). Australia Post will send shipment data to Zonos for all shipments processed using your business account.
Once the shipment arrives, you don’t have to worry about your U.S. customer refusing delivery because of extra duty costs being due—with this method, they won’t be asked to pay anything more during delivery.
| Step 4
Pay U.S. duties
Zonos will bill you daily for the duty (and associated postal clearance fees) on shipments associated with your Zonos Verified Account (this means any shipments valued $800 USD or less sent to the U.S. via Australia Post). Zonos bills you within 24 hours of getting the shipment data from Australia Post (note that this can be several days after you ship). You can view these invoices in your Dashboard.
Who is Zonos?
Zonos is the trusted leader in cross-border technology.
For more than 16 years, we’ve been powering international commerce by classifying products with HS codes and calculating duties and taxes with accuracy and reliability. Today, our technology supports some of the world’s largest brands, logistics providers, and thousands of ecommerce businesses.
Our mission has always been to increase trust in cross-border trade by making cross-border simple, transparent, and compliant. From APIs that integrate directly with custom setups to checkout experiences that make duty and tax collection easy for anyone, Zonos ensures international customers have good delivery experiences, building your brand in the process.
When will Australia Post's solution be in place, and when will services resume for the US and its overseas territories?
Australia Post has resumed shipments to the U.S.
Can I still send letters and documents?
Yes. Letters and documents of no commercial value are not impacted by the suspension. However, you must still declare a value (minimum AUD$1.00) when lodging.
What is a bona fide gift?
Bona fide gifts valued under USD$100 are not impacted by the suspension. These items must comply with declaration requirements.
CBP defines a "bona fide gift" as an item previously owned by a donor and given outright without compensation. Items acquired by purchase, barter, or as "bonus" items are not considered bona fide gifts.
- Individual to individual: The parcel should be clearly marked as a gift. CBP generally recognizes gifts not exceeding USD$100 in value.
- Business to individual: CBP generally does not recognize these as bona fide gifts. However, if it is a true gift, the parcel should be marked as such and include a statement.
To send a bona fide gift, select the gift category on the customs declaration. Zonos or a CBP-approved third party is not required.
Can I still provide a 6-digit HS code, or is a 10-digit HTS code required?
Yes. Customers can continue using a 6-digit HS tariff code.
A 10-digit HTS code will not be required until 28 February 2026.
What if the Country of Origin (COO) is the US?
Goods with a US Country of Origin (COO) are not subject to IEEPA tariffs. In the Zonos dashboard, US COO items will show 0% tariff for the postal channel.
Where do I find my APCN?
For MyPost (MP) account holders, your Australia Post Customer Number (APCN) is a unique number associated with your MyPost account.
Your APCN is located in your MyPost (MP) profile, under Personal details.
Choose whether you are using a mobile or desktop device to view step-by-step instructions.
Step 1: In your MyPost (MP) dashboard, click your Profile icon (your initials at the top right of the screen).
Step 2: Click on My profile in the menu.
Step 3: You'll see your APCN under Personal details on your profile page. Copy this number into your Zonos Dashboard.
Where do I find my APBCN?
For MyPost Business (MPB) account holders, your Australia Post Business Customer Number (APBCN) is located on your MPB dashboard under Send & Save, beneath your QR code.
Choose whether you are using a mobile or desktop device to view step-by-step instructions.
Step 1: In your MyPost Business dashboard, click the three bars in the top left corner to open your menu.
Step 2: Click on Send & Save in the left menu.
Step 3: You'll see your APBCN under the QR code. Copy this number into your Zonos Dashboard.
Where do I find my MLID?
For business contract customers, your Merchant Location ID (MLID) can be obtained by contacting your Australia Post account manager.
Do I still need a Zonos Verified Account if I am already integrated via APIs or platform partners?
Yes, but you do not need to go through the registration process again. You'll create a second, connected Dashboard account for your Verified Account. To do so:
- Log into your Zonos Dashboard, then click on the Integrations tab.
- Click the Connect an account button in the top right.
- Select Australia Post in the list of available integrations.
- You'll be prompted to enter your Australia Post shipper number (MLID or APBCN).
- Click Setup integration to create the second Verified Account.
This second Verified Account will be connected to your existing Zonos account. Any orders placed via your ecommerce website using Zonos' integration will only appear on the ecommerce Dashboard account that you are used to. If you ship other orders (such as those you receive through a different selling platform, not integrated with Zonos) with your AusPost business account, they will appear on your Verified Account Dashboard. You can easily toggle between the two accounts by clicking the name of your account in the top right corner of Zonos Dashboard.
Can I have multiple Zonos Verified Accounts linked to one Australia Post account?
No, each Australia Post account can only have one Zonos Verified Account linked to it. If you would like to link multiple Zonos Verified Accounts to one Australia Post account, reach out to our support team at support@zonos.com to explain your use case.
Why did Australia Post partner with Zonos?
Postal operators like Australia Post must work with an approved third-party to comply with US CBP requirements.
Zonos is one of the first qualified third parties approved by US authorities. Australia Post partnered with Zonos to enable resumption of services to the US as soon as possible.
What will I be charged by Australia Post and Zonos?
There are no additional Australia Post fees.
Business customers with a Zonos Verified Account are invoiced directly by Zonos for:
- Duties (based on COO)
- Postal clearance fee (which varies by post and can be viewed in your Dashboard's Billing Settings, under Plan.)
There are no subscription or hidden charges.
Does the Zonos handling fee apply per item in a parcel?
No. The postal clearance fee is applied per parcel, not per individual item.
Who should I contact for help with my Zonos Verified Account or billing?
Contact the Zonos support team, available 24/7, for assistance: :e-mail: APsupport@zonos.com
As a Verified Account, what do I have access to?
- Item Quoter
- Shipment Quoter (coming soon)
- Orders (order history)
- Invoices
- Shipments (shipment history)
- Settings (business info, billing info, account key, team members)
Do I have to pay a subscription fee for a Verified Account?
No. Zonos Verified Accounts are free to use. You will only be billed for duties and clearance fees per shipment.
What systems can I use to print Australia Post labels with a Verified Account?
You can use the same systems you use today. Shipment data will be shared with Zonos so duties and fees can be billed.
How much does it cost to use a Verified Account?
There is no subscription fee, and no cost for tools like Item Quoter or Shipment Quoter. You are billed only for duties and clearance fees per shipment.
When will I see my shipment in Dashboard?
Shipments appear once Australia Post sends data to Zonos. This can take a few days after you ship.
I don't see my Account Key. How do I get it?
Your Account Key appears once billing information is added in Dashboard → Settings → Integrations.
If you already have a Zonos account that is not Verified, contact support@zonos.com and we can switch your account type.
Can I use my Verified Account for shipments over $800 USD?
No. Shipments over $800 USD follow existing processes and are not affected by the Executive Order.
Are postal shipments subject to MFN or IEEPA duty rates?
For the first six months (effective 29 August 2025), US-bound postal shipments are subject to IEEPA duty rates only. MFN rates do not apply.
What if a platform or merchant uses a provider other than Zonos for duty calculation?
Not an issue. Zonos collects and remits duties for eligible Australia Post shipments, even if another provider calculated the duty estimate. You'll be invoiced by Zonos for the actual duties.
If a postal shipment contains multiple items with different countries of origin, how are duties calculated?
Duties are calculated per item based on country of origin, then aggregated for the shipment total. The full amount appears on your Zonos invoice.
How are gifts over USD$100 handled?
Gifts over USD$100 are dutiable. Zonos calculates duties on the full value and bills your Verified Account.
What if a gift includes multiple items with different countries of origin?
Duties are calculated per item based on COO, then aggregated for the shipment total. The total is billed to your Verified Account.
Why are there duties on returns?
According to CBP, U.S. returns are not duty-free and require duties to be paid.
There are a couple of exceptions where returns are exempt from duty:
- Un-deliverable items with the original U.S. S-10 Bar code and the package intact
- Refused items with the original U.S. S-10 Bar code and the package intact
What if I use a 3PL? Who should set up the Verified Account?
- If your 3PL allows you to bring your own Australia Post account (BYOA), then you should set up a Verified Account with Zonos for your Australia Post account.
- If your 3PL allows you to use their Australia Post account, then the 3PL needs to set up a Verified Account with Zonos. Many 3PLs have multiple Australia Post accounts; they need to set up a Verified Account for each one.
3PLs should not ask merchants to create a Verified Account with the 3PL's MLID, APCN, or APBCN.
Keep shipping to the U.S. with Australia Post + Zonos
As of August 29, 2025, a new U.S. executive order now requires duties to be paid on postal shipments under $800 USD before clearing into the U.S. If you’re shipping parcels under $800 USD from Australia to the United States using Australia Post, you must prepay duties before your parcel crosses the border. Australia Post has partnered with Zonos to offer Zonos Verified Accounts to Australian businesses as a way to pay U.S. duties on postal shipments—so you can continue shipping postal to the U.S.
Start today