NIPOST Imposes $80 Prepaid Customs Duty On All US-Bound Shipments Except Letters

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that, effective August 29, 2025, all postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States—excluding letters and documents—will 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 recent Executive Order signed by the U.S. government suspending de minimis exemptions for all postal shipments worldwide. The directive, issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, applies to all designated postal operators globally, not just 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,” the notice stated.

NIPOST warned that the new policy will significantly impact Nigerians sending parcels and goods to family, friends, and business partners in the U.S. Logistics companies, including airlines and cargo carriers, have begun adopting stricter protocols for U.S.-bound shipments, which could extend transit and processing times and potentially delay deliveries.

Additionally, all incoming postal items to the U.S. will undergo extra Customs checks, further increasing waiting times for recipients.

Despite these challenges, NIPOST assured customers it is working with the Universal Postal Union, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and airline partners to minimize disruptions and protect customer experience.