Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that starting August 29, 2025, all postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States, with the exception of letters and documents, will be subject to a mandatory prepaid customs duty of $80 or its equivalent in naira.
Gatekeepers News reports that the new regulation is a result of a recent Executive Order by the U.S. government, which has suspended de minimis exemptions for all postal shipments worldwide.
The directive was issued under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Customers are encouraged to take note of this change as it may impact future shipping costs.
“The Nigerian Postal Service wishes to inform our esteemed customers of a recent policy change by the Government of the United States of America, enacted through the Executive Order on ‘Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries’ under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act,” the notice read.
According to NIPOST, the decision by Washington applies to all designated postal operators worldwide and is not limited to Nigeria.
“This Executive Order applies to all postal operators and designated postal administrations worldwide, and the payment of the additional duty affects all global postal inflows into the United States, not just those from Nigeria,” it added.
The agency said the new measure will have far-reaching implications for Nigerians sending parcels and goods to family, friends and business partners in the U.S.
It warned that global logistics operations were already adjusting to the policy, with airlines and cargo carriers adopting stricter protocols in handling shipments destined for America.
“Global logistics operations are also being affected, as airline and cargo carriers adopt more cautious measures in handling U.S.-bound shipments. This may extend both transit and processing times, potentially resulting in delivery delays,” NIPOST stated.
The notice further stated that all U.S.-bound items would undergo additional Customs checks on arrival. This, officials said, may compound waiting times for recipients.
NIPOST, however, assured customers that it was actively working with international partners to cushion the impact.
“NIPOST is actively engaging with the Universal Postal Union, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and our airline partners to minimise service disruptions and safeguard customer experience,” the agency said.
The postal service reiterated its commitment to ensuring efficient and reliable service delivery despite what it described as a “global regulatory adjustment.”
It added, “We reassure our customers that NIPOST remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient postal and courier services despite this global regulatory adjustment.”
On Friday, the United States terminated tariff exemptions on small packages entering the country from abroad, a decision made on Friday. This change has raised concerns among small businesses and has led to warnings about potential increases in consumer prices.
The administration of President Donald Trump cited issues such as the use of low-value shipments to evade tariffs and the smuggling of drugs as reasons for ending the duty-free treatment for these packages.
