By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that, effective August 29, 2025, all parcels sent from Nigeria to the United States will be subject to a prepaid $80 customs duty (or its Naira equivalent). This charge applies to packages but excludes letters and documents.
The new fee follows the enforcement of a U.S. Executive Order that suspends the de minimis exemption — a trade rule that previously allowed duty-free entry of goods valued under $800. Under the new regulation, all international postal parcels to the U.S. now require a flat $80 duty, regardless of value.
In a public notice issued Friday, NIPOST clarified that this policy is not specific to Nigeria but affects all countries, as mandated under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The order requires postal operators worldwide to collect the duty before dispatching parcels to the U.S.
NIPOST also warned of potential delays in delivery due to tightened security procedures by airlines and cargo handlers. All U.S.-bound parcels will undergo customs inspections upon arrival, which could increase both transit and processing times.
To minimize disruptions, NIPOST said it is working closely with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and airline partners. The agency assured customers of its continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient service, despite the global regulatory shift.
The U.S. suspension of the de minimis rule is part of wider trade and security reforms and is expected to impact individuals, small businesses, and cross-border e-commerce.
Earlier in April, global logistics provider DHL temporarily suspended business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments to private individuals in the U.S., citing increased formal customs requirements. The changes triggered additional paperwork, inspections, and multi-day delays, particularly for high-value items.
With the elimination of the de minimis threshold, all parcels entering the U.S. via postal services now face formal customs processing and added costs — a shift that may affect affordability and accessibility for regular senders and online shoppers alike.
