By Emiola Osifeso
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced the introduction of a new compulsory levy on shipments from Nigeria to the United States, following an Executive Order recently signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency disclosed that beginning August 29, 2025, all parcels and items sent from Nigeria to the U.S. — except ordinary letters and documents — will attract a prepaid customs duty of $80 (approximately N123,000) at the point of acceptance.
According to NIPOST, the new policy stems from the U.S. Government’s Executive Order titled “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries,” issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The postal agency clarified that this decision is not unique to Nigeria, as it applies globally to all designated postal administrations and operators.
“This 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 statement read.
NIPOST explained that the U.S. government’s suspension of the duty-free de minimis treatment which previously allowed low-value imports to enter the U.S. without customs duties now requires every shipment, regardless of origin, to carry the $80 duty charge.
The agency further noted that the development is expected to have significant ripple effects across international logistics and mail services, as all countries must now adjust to the stricter U.S. customs regime.
Beyond the duty, NIPOST revealed that all shipments bound for the U.S. will also undergo customs checks on arrival. This additional screening process, the agency warned, could extend delivery timelines and cause potential delays in service.
To cushion the impact on customers, NIPOST said it is already engaging with major stakeholders, including the Universal Postal Union (UPU), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and airline partners, to find ways of minimizing disruptions and ensuring smoother operations.
“NIPOST is actively engaging with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and our airline partners to minimize service disruptions and safeguard customer experience. 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 postal service emphasized that while the change is a direct consequence of U.S. government policy, it will continue to work to protect its customers from undue hardship and maintain the quality of its service delivery.
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