By Mercy Gadia Adi
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that effective August 29, 2025, all shipments from Nigeria to the United States except letters and documents will now attract a mandatory prepaid customs duty of $80 or its naira equivalent.
In a public notice issued on Friday, NIPOST explained that the charges stem from a new Executive Order signed by the U.S. government, which suspends duty-free exemptions (de minimis treatment) for postal shipments globally.
“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 agency stated.
The decision, according to NIPOST, is not unique to Nigeria but applies to all postal operators and designated postal administrations worldwide.
“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.
NIPOST warned that the directive would have significant implications for Nigerians sending parcels to family, friends, or business partners in the U.S. It said the global logistics industry was already adjusting to the measure, with airlines and cargo carriers adopting stricter protocols for U.S.-bound shipments.
“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,” the postal agency cautioned.
Additionally, NIPOST noted that all items entering the U.S. would undergo enhanced Customs checks, which may compound waiting times for recipients.
Despite the challenges, the postal agency assured Nigerians that it was actively engaging with international partners to reduce disruptions.
“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,” it said.
The agency reiterated its commitment to service excellence, stressing that it would continue to provide safe, reliable, and efficient postal and courier services despite the global regulatory shift.
The move comes after the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, formally ended tariff exemptions on small packages valued at $800 or below. Trump’s administration argued that the system was being exploited to evade tariffs and smuggle drugs.
Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, defended the action, saying it would “help restrict the flow of narcotics and other dangerous and prohibited items while bringing fresh tariff revenues.”
Reports indicate that postal services in France, Germany, Italy, India, Australia, and Japan have also announced similar restrictions, with some halting the acceptance of most U.S.-bound packages altogether.
With the new order now in effect, Nigerian businesses and individuals who regularly ship goods to the U.S. may face higher costs, longer delays, and tighter security checks, marking a new era in global postal trade.