NIPOST Imposes $80 Customs Duty on U.S.-Bound Parcels as America Ends Duty-Free Policy

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that all parcels and shipments from Nigeria to the United States—excluding letters and documents—will now attract a mandatory prepaid customs duty of $80 or its naira equivalent, effective August 29, 2025.

In a public notice on Friday, NIPOST explained that the new charge follows a recent Executive Order signed by the U.S. government under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which suspends de minimis duty-free exemptions for all postal shipments worldwide. The directive, NIPOST clarified, applies globally and is not targeted specifically at Nigeria.

The postal agency warned that the measure will affect Nigerians sending goods to relatives, friends, and business partners in the U.S., adding that global logistics providers, including airlines and cargo carriers, are already adopting stricter shipment protocols. This, it said, could cause longer transit times and delivery delays as all U.S.-bound parcels undergo additional customs checks.

NIPOST assured customers that it is working closely with the Universal Postal Union, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and international carriers to reduce disruptions. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to delivering safe and reliable postal services despite what it described as a “global regulatory adjustment” with far-reaching implications for international trade and logistics.