Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that all postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States will now incur a mandatory prepaid customs duty of $80, or its naira equivalent, effective from Friday, August 29, 2025.
The new charge, which excludes letters and documents, is a direct result of a new Executive Order from the U.S. government.
In a public notice, NIPOST clarified that the U.S. policy, enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, suspends “de minimis” exemptions for all postal shipments globally.
This means that parcels valued at or under $800, which were previously duty-free, are now subject to the new levy.
NIPOST confirmed that the directive applies to all designated postal operators worldwide, not just those from Nigeria, and is part of a broader U.S. effort to curb tariff evasion and the smuggling of illegal goods.
The U.S. government’s decision has already sent shockwaves through the global postal and logistics sector.
According to reports, postal services in more than 20 countries, including France, Germany, Japan, and Australia, have already suspended or severely restricted parcel shipments to the U.S. in response to the new rules and the lack of clarity on how to implement them.
The U.S. has offered a temporary fixed-fee option of $80 to $200 per item depending on the country, but many carriers are still struggling to adapt their systems.
NIPOST warned that the new measure will have far-reaching implications for Nigerians sending parcels to the U.S., as global logistics operations are adjusting with stricter protocols.
This could lead to extended transit and processing times, resulting in significant delivery delays. Additionally, all U.S.-bound items will be subjected to extra customs checks upon arrival, further compounding waiting times for recipients.
