Sydonie Baldissera, a small business owner from Adelaide and founder of The Quirky Cup Collective, anticipated potential changes in import rules and tariffs. Recent adjustments implemented by US President Donald Trump, including the suspension of the De Minimis exemption for goods valued under US$800 (approximately AU$1233) and a requirement for pre-payment of tariffs, complicated her plans.
Just as Baldissera replenished her popular stationery and accessories line, orders from the US surged. Faced with a dilemma, she had two choices: either ship the orders immediately or cancel and refund them to sidestep tariffs. Baldissera opted to ship, enlisting her staff to pack and dispatch every US order over the weekend. However, as soon as those orders were sent, she halted future shipments to the US.
Shortly thereafter, Australia Post announced a suspension of deliveries to the United States and Puerto Rico. Baldissera hopes to resume US shipping soon but first must navigate the financial implications of the new tariffs, which sellers like her will be expected to cover. “The current advice indicates that Australian small businesses will need to absorb these costs, a strain that is particularly tough right now,” she noted.
While she is actively considering ways to manage shipping logistics, including exploring alternative carriers, the immediate impact on her business has been significant. Since ceasing shipments to the US, Baldissera has observed a discernible drop in daily sales. The effect of this disruption is concerning, especially for newer or smaller enterprises.
Reflecting on the difficulty of the situation, she said, “Had these changes occurred in my first year, the outcome could have been dire — it might have threatened my business’s survival.” Although she has managed to weather the storm so far, the uncertainty looms large, prompting her to explore every possible avenue to re-establish shipping to her US customers. Baldissera remains determined to find a solution and adapt to the evolving challenges imposed by international trade.