The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that Nigerians sending parcels to the United States will now be required to pay a prepaid customs duty of $80, or its Naira equivalent, starting August 29, 2025.
The charge does not apply to letters or documents but covers all other shipments in line with new U.S. trade measures.
According to NIPOST, the development follows the enforcement of a U.S. Executive Order suspending the de minimis exemption that previously allowed duty-free postal shipments.
The directive, issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), mandates all postal operators and designated administrations worldwide to collect the levy before dispatch.
The agency clarified in a public notice released on Friday that the duty is not unique to Nigeria but applies to all countries under the U.S. directive, according to Nairametrics.
NIPOST further cautioned that the new policy could cause delivery disruptions, as airlines and cargo carriers adopt stricter protocols for parcels headed to the U.S.
Longer transit and processing times are expected, with every shipment subject to customs checks upon arrival.
The agency said it is working closely with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and airline partners to minimize the impact and ensure reliable service.
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The United States’ decision to suspend the de minimis threshold forms part of broader trade and security measures affecting all countries that ship parcels via postal services.
Analysts warn that the change could ripple through cross-border e-commerce, small businesses, and individuals dependent on international shipping for both commercial and personal purposes.
In April, DHL had already announced a temporary suspension of business-to-consumer shipments to private individuals in the United States, citing the strain of new U.S. Customs regulations.
The logistics giant explained that the lowered threshold for formal customs processing had caused a surge in paperwork and inspections, stretching its resources and triggering multi-day delays for high-value deliveries.
The de minimis exemption, which previously allowed goods valued under $800 per shipment to enter the U.S. without duty or tax, has now been eliminated under the Executive Order.
With this change, all postal parcels regardless of value must carry a flat $80 customs duty, significantly raising the cost of small-package shipments, including online purchases.
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Image Credit: Nairametrics
