NIPOST: US-bound parcels to attract $80 mandatory duty from August 29

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The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that beginning 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 Friday in Abuja, NIPOST explained that the new charge follows a recent Executive Order signed by the United States Government suspending de minimis exemptions for all postal shipments globally. The directive, it said, was enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Announcing the development, NIPOST stated:

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“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 clarified that the directive applies to all designated postal operators worldwide, 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,” NIPOST added.

It further cautioned that the policy could delay deliveries due to tighter security and processing protocols at US entry points.

“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 statement read.

NIPOST assured customers that it is working with international partners to ease the impact:

“NIPOST is actively engaging with the Universal Postal Union, US Customs and Border Protection, and our airline partners to minimize service disruptions and safeguard customer experience. We reassure our customers that NIPOST remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient postal and courier services despite this global regulatory adjustment.

Impact on Nigerian Businesses

The development has triggered strong reactions from business stakeholders in Nigeria.

The National President of the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, Dr. Femi Egbesola, warned that the new tariff will significantly increase costs for Nigerian SMEs, e-commerce vendors, and individuals who export small parcels to the US.

“For many low-value goods, this charge may exceed the shipment’s actual worth, making small exports uneconomical,” Egbesola said.

“This policy, though global in scope, will particularly affect Nigerian businesses already struggling with high logistics costs and currency pressures. It may discourage micro-exporters, reduce the competitiveness of Nigerian products in the US market, and slow down delivery timelines due to stricter customs checks.”

He suggested that Nigerian exporters consider alternatives and called for urgent government intervention.

“To cushion the impact, Nigerian businesses may need to explore private courier services, consolidated shipping arrangements, or US-based fulfilment partners. It also calls for urgent government intervention to create export support mechanisms and engage diplomatically to ease trade barriers,” he added

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