The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that Nigerians sending parcels to the United States will now pay $80 (or its Naira equivalent – N123,000) in prepaid customs duty, effective August 29, 2025.
According to NIPOST, the new charge excludes letters and documents and follows the enforcement of a U.S. Executive Order suspending the de minimis exemption on duty-free postal shipments.
In a public notice issued on Friday, the agency clarified that the levy is “not unique to Nigeria but applies to all countries under the U.S. directive issued through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).”
The order mandates all postal operators worldwide to collect the fee before dispatch. NIPOST warned that global logistics operations are being disrupted as airlines and cargo carriers adopt stricter procedures, which could lead to delivery delays. All shipments will also undergo customs checks on arrival in the U.S.
To cushion the impact, NIPOST said it is working with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and airline partners. The agency assured customers it remains committed to providing “safe, reliable, and efficient postal and courier services despite the global regulatory change.”
The U.S. decision to suspend the de minimis rule—previously allowing goods worth up to $800 to enter duty-free—is part of broader trade and security measures. Now, all parcels sent through postal services will attract a flat $80 duty, regardless of value.
Logistics analysts warn the policy could raise costs for individuals, small businesses, and cross-border e-commerce. Earlier in April, DHL suspended business-to-consumer shipments to U.S. private individuals after the regulation caused a surge in customs processing and multi-day delivery delays.
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