Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced a new mandatory, prepaid customs duty of $80 for all postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States. The new fee, which excludes letters and documents, takes effect on Friday, August 29, 2025.
According to a public notice issued by NIPOST, the new charge is a direct result of a U.S. government Executive Order enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The policy suspends the “de minimis” exemption, which previously allowed parcels valued at or under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.
NIPOST clarified that this directive is not specific to Nigeria, but applies to all postal operators worldwide. The move is part of a broader U.S. effort to curb tariff evasion and the smuggling of illegal goods.
The U.S. government’s decision has already sent shockwaves through the global logistics sector, with postal services in over 20 countries, including France, Germany, Japan, and Australia, either suspending or severely restricting parcel shipments to the U.S. NIPOST warned that the new measure will lead to significant delivery delays and extended transit times due to stricter customs checks upon arrival in the U.S.
