The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has implemented a mandatory $80 customs duty for all parcels shipped to the United States, effective August 29, 2025. This significant policy change affects all Nigerians sending packages to America through postal services, excluding only letters and documents from the new fee structure.
The customs duty requirement stems from a U.S. Executive Order that suspends the de minimis exemption on duty-free postal shipments. Previously, goods valued below $800 per shipment could enter the United States without customs duty or tax, but this threshold has been completely eliminated for postal services.
NIPOST clarified that this $80 levy applies universally to all countries, not specifically targeting Nigeria. The directive was issued through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), requiring postal operators worldwide to collect the prepaid customs duty before dispatch.
Nigerian shippers should anticipate longer transit times as global logistics operations adapt to stricter U.S.-bound parcel procedures. Airlines and cargo carriers are implementing enhanced security measures, while all shipments will undergo mandatory customs checks upon U.S. arrival.
To minimize service disruptions, NIPOST is actively collaborating with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and airline partners. The agency emphasized its commitment to maintaining safe, reliable postal and courier services despite these regulatory challenges.
Major logistics companies are already feeling the pressure from these customs changes. DHL temporarily suspended business-to-consumer shipments to U.S. private individuals in April 2025, citing resource strain and multi-day delivery delays caused by increased formal entry processing requirements.
Economic Implications for Cross-Border Commerce
Trade analysts predict significant ripple effects across international e-commerce, particularly impacting small businesses and individuals dependent on affordable international shipping. The flat $80 duty fee represents a substantial cost increase for low-value shipments, potentially reducing cross-border trade volume between Nigeria and the United States.
This policy shift reflects broader U.S. trade and security measures, fundamentally altering the landscape of international postal services and highlighting the interconnected nature of global shipping regulations.