Why did Sendle stop operations in Australia?

Media reports point to a key backer freezing funding due to deficiencies linked to a planned 2025 FAST Group merger. Without fresh capital, Sendle halted bookings and communications. The pause created immediate uncertainty for shippers and delays for customers, triggering an urgent search for replacement carriers across metro and regional lanes.

How will this affect delivery times and shipping costs?

In the short term, delivery windows may lengthen as Australia Post and private couriers absorb rerouted parcels. Prices could firm, especially on express and regional lanes. SMEs may face higher costs from re-labeling and last-minute bookings. The impact from sendle closing down Australia should ease as networks rebalance and new contracts settle.

What are practical Australia Post alternatives for small businesses now?

Consider Aramex for door-to-door options, CouriersPlease for metro coverage, and DHL eCommerce for lightweight international parcels. Compare pickup reliability, claims handling, and cutoff times. Many merchants are testing two-carrier setups to reduce risk. Search interest in australia post alternatives is rising as businesses seek steady pricing and clear tracking updates.

What should investors watch over the next two weeks?

Focus on delivery-time trends, pickup success, and claims rates from carriers stepping in. Track merchant updates on marketplaces, refund volumes, and any courier repricing. Signals around the FAST Group merger matter too. Sustained performance by Aramex could imply share gains, while worsening delays suggest broader last-mile strain.

Global Market Insights

January 13: Sendle Closing Down Strands SMBs; Australia Post, Aramex Step In

ByDanny Kontos January 13, 2026January 13, 2026

Sendle closing down Australia has left many small businesses without a courier in the busiest trading weeks of summer. The company halted bookings after a key backer froze funding, citing deficiencies linked to a planned 2025 FAST Group merger. Parcels are stranded, and volumes are shifting to Australia Post and Aramex. For investors, near-term risks include delivery delays, price resets, and churn among marketplace sellers. We outline what happened, who may gain or lose, and the signals to watch in the coming days.