Updated - 2026 - NZ Post – Postage Options to the IRS

Update - January 2026

Normal services to the US have now resumed for personal parcels to the US, including gifts and documents.

We’d strongly recommend that you send the tax returns to the IRS using a tracked courier service, in order to ensure proof of delivery.

When sending the parcel, you will be requested to complete a digital customs form (if purchasing postage online), or a paper customs form if posting from an NZ Post store.

It is important that you mark the parcel contents as documents, and also that the value is below $150 (we’d suggest recording a value of $5 or $10).

Recording the parcel contents as anything other than documents and less than $150 value can result in tariffs being imposed, which will severely delay the arrival of your tax returns with the IRS. On the customs form you will see a box labelled “HS Tariff Code”, which you may leave blank.

Original article below

An item of news which has taken us as much by surprise and many businesses and individuals around the country, is the NZ Post suspension of services to the US.

We’ve published a brief article today to explain the postage and transmittal options for sending a US tax return to the IRS, until ordinary services are resumed.

Express Courier services for documents are currently still available.

Form 1040 & 1040-X

In the unlikely case your tax return does not qualify for electronic filing, you may need to mail your printed return to the IRS.

Do note, the addresses below are specific to the mailing option.

This can still be done via three options:

-          Non-courier service – standard airmail – No tracking

Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Austin, TX  73301-0215USA

-          NZ Post Express Courier – You must advise the NZ Post staff that the tax return has no commercial value and is documents

Austin - Internal Revenue Submission Processing Center

3651 S IH35,

Austin TX 78741

-          DHL Express Courier - You must advise DHL that the tax return has no commercial value and is documents

Austin - Internal Revenue Submission Processing Center

3651 S IH35,

Austin TX 78741

Form 3520 & 3520-A

If your tax return contains a filing for a family trust, KiwiSaver or superannuation, you likely will need to post Form 3520 & 3520-A to the Ogden service centre.

Currently available options are below:

-          Electronic signatures are accepted for these forms. You may sign, and send electronically to a friend or family member in the United States to mail to Ogden for you

-          Non-courier service – standard airmail – No tracking

Internal Revenue Service

P.O. Box 409101

Ogden, UT 84409

-          NZ Post Express Courier – You must advise the NZ Post staff that the tax return has no commercial value and is documents

Ogden - Internal Revenue Submission Processing Center1973 Rulon White Blvd. Ogden, UT 84201

-          DHL Express Courier - You must advise DHL that the tax return has no commercial value and is documents

Ogden - Internal Revenue Submission Processing Center1973 Rulon White Blvd. Ogden, UT 84201

For all state returns, the same procedure needs to be followed as above, but to the local mailing centre.

The US Tax Team New Zealand cannot accept any responsibility for the ongoing accuracy of the above, incorrect mailings or undelivered returns to the IRS.

We’re doing our best to keep up with the NZ Post updates, and hopefully we’ll be back to normal soon!