NIPOST imposes N120k ($80) customs duty on goods shipped from Nigeria to US

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that, effective from August 29, 2025, all parcels and items sent to the United States, except for letters and documents, will now attract a prepaid customs duty of $80 (N120,000 as of Friday, August 29) at the point of acceptance in Nigeria.

NIPOST, in a public notice issued on Friday, clarified that the duty is not unique to Nigeria but applies to all countries under the U.S. directive issued through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

According to the agency, 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 further disclosed that the new rule is expected to have ripple effects on global logistics.

“Airline and cargo carriers (are) adopting more cautious measures in handling U.S.-bound shipments. This may extend both transit and processing times, potentially resulting in delivery delays,” the management said.

The postal service added that all U.S.-bound shipments will additionally undergo Customs checks at the destination, a measure that could further prolong delivery timelines.

To cushion the impact, NIPOST said it is already in discussions with international partners.

“NIPOST is actively engaging with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and our airline partners to minimise service disruptions and safeguard customer experience,” the statement noted.

The management reassured Nigerians of its commitment to quality service delivery despite the new restrictions.

“We reassure our customers that NIPOST remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient postal and courier services despite this global regulatory adjustment,” the management concluded.

What you should know

The United States on Friday ended tariff exemptions on small packages entering the country from abroad, in a move that has sparked concern among small businesses and warnings of consumer price hikes.

President Donald Trump’s administration cited the use of low-value shipments to evade tariffs and smuggle drugs in ending duty-free treatment for parcels valued at or under $800.

Instead, packages will either be subject to the tariff level applicable to their country of origin or face a specific duty ranging from $80 to $200 per item. But exclusions for some personal items and gifts remain.

Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, told reporters that closing this “loophole” helps restrict the flow of “narcotics and other dangerous and prohibited items” while bringing fresh tariff revenues.

But the monthlong lead time Trump’s order provided has sparked a frenzy.

Postal services, including in France, Germany, Italy, India, Australia and Japan, earlier said most US-bound packages would no longer be accepted.

Also, earlier in April, global logistics giant DHL, announced a temporary suspension of business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments to private individuals in the United States, following the new U.S. Customs regulations that significantly lower the threshold for formal customs processing.