Delays are currently impacting the Sydney to Melbourne and Melbourne to Sydney linehaul services.
These disruptions are due to severe bushfire activity across key transport corridors, as well as a major road accident, affecting both domestic and international deliveries.
Sydney to Melbourne Linehaul
This route is experiencing delays as bushfire-related closures along the Hume Highway have forced all traffic onto alternate routes. These detours are heavily congested, resulting in extended transit times for parcels destined for Victoria.
Melbourne to Sydney Linehaul
This service is also impacted by ongoing bushfire conditions. Additionally, a road accident near Berrima has caused a full road closure, halting all vehicle movements on this section of the route. As a result, additional transit delays are expected for domestic and international shipments originating from Melbourne.
Operations teams are closely monitoring emergency updates and road conditions and continue to implement contingencies to minimise service impacts where it is safe to do so.
International Delivery Performance Update – Canada & United States
Peak Season Surcharge for US Lane
SEKO recognises the importance of supporting carrier partners in maintaining driver resources and high service levels, particularly during peak periods when payment adjustments are necessary.
U.S. Trade Lane
A temporary peak season surcharge will be applied by the final-mile carrier for shipments within the U.S. trade lane. This seasonal adjustment accounts for increased package volumes and higher handling costs typical of the peak shipping period.
Effective 1 November 2025, SEKO will apply a surcharge of USD 0.75 per parcel for all shipments to and within the United States through 17 January 2026. This charge covers both U.S. final-mile deliveries and U.S. returns first-mile services.
Date Range | Surcharge |
1 November 2025 to 17 January 2026 | USD 0.75 |
International Delivery Performance Update – Canada & United States
The latest international delivery performance and service conditions affecting Canada and the United States.
Australia to Canada
Deliveries remain within service level agreements (SLAs).
On 25 September 2025, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) escalated industrial action. Canada Post has confirmed there will be no movement of mail within Canada (including letter-post, parcel-post, and EMS items). International consignments received by Canada Post from 25 September onwards will be securely held and will not be processed until further notice.
SEKO’s outbound deliveries continue to operate with minimal disruption. Only regional and remote areas relying exclusively on Canada Post services may experience delays, currently impacting around 2% of deliveries.
Average delivery time from Sydney to Canada remains under 6 days.
Australia to the United States
Deliveries remain within SLAs.
As of 1 October 2025, some U.S. federal employees commenced unpaid leave. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), however, has been designated an essential service and will remain fully operational. No impact to SEKO’s freight movements into the U.S. is expected at this time.
Average delivery time from Sydney to the U.S. remains under 6 days.
International Shipping Compliance
Retailers are reminded that they are responsible for ensuring all products comply with the import regulations of the destination country before shipping internationally. This is a legal requirement, and non-compliance may result in shipments being stopped mid-transit.
For shipments to the United States in particular:
Every product must be checked for compliance before shipping.
Shipments lacking FDA approval will be held, and resolving non-compliance after shipment can take weeks or months. Shipments will not be released until all requirements are met.
Products such as sunglasses and eyewear must be registered and listed with the FDA and meet all labelling and quality standards before entry into the U.S.
By confirming compliance before shipping, retailers protect their business reputation, avoid delays and penalties, and maintain a smooth supply chain.