The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced a new mandatory levy on all shipments bound for the United States, in compliance with a recent policy change introduced by the U.S. Government.
In a statement released on Friday, August 29, 2025, the postal agency disclosed that, effective immediately, all parcels and items sent from Nigeria to the U.S. excluding ordinary letters and documents will now attract a prepaid customs duty of $80 (approximately ₦123,000) at the point of acceptance.
The policy stems from an Executive Order issued by former U.S. President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The directive, titled “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries”, eliminates duty-free privileges for international mail, effectively imposing a blanket levy on global shipments to the United States.
According to NIPOST, this adjustment is not peculiar to Nigeria but applies to all postal administrations worldwide.
“The Executive Order applies to all postal operators and designated postal administrations globally, and the payment of the additional duty affects all inflows into the United States,” the agency explained.
The new customs requirement is expected to cause ripple effects across international logistics and e-commerce, particularly for small businesses and individuals who rely heavily on cross-border shipping.
With the additional $80 charge, the cost of sending goods to the U.S. will significantly increase, potentially discouraging trade and personal shipments.
In addition, NIPOST noted that all U.S.-bound items will undergo stricter customs checks upon arrival in the United States.
This measure is likely to further prolong delivery times, which have already been affected by global supply chain disruptions.
To reduce the impact on customers, NIPOST said it is actively engaging international partners, including the Universal Postal Union (UPU), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and airline carriers.
“We reassure our customers that NIPOST remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient postal and courier services despite this global regulatory adjustment,” the statement added.
The decision by the U.S. comes amid growing concerns over trade imbalances, counterfeit goods, and national security risks associated with unmonitored shipments.
By removing the “de minimis” duty-free threshold, Washington aims to tighten control over imports.
However, the policy has drawn criticism from trade experts, who warn it could stifle small-scale international commerce and burden developing nations whose exporters rely on affordable postal services to access the U.S. market.
For Nigerian businesses and individuals, the new levy means a steep increase in shipping costs, further complicating an already challenging economic climate marked by high inflation and a weak naira.