The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that all postal items sent to the United States, excluding letters and documents, will now attract a customs duty of $80 at the point of acceptance in Nigeria.
In a notice issued to customers on Friday, NIPOST explained that the adjustment stems from an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump, which suspends the duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
“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,” the statement reads.
“With effect from 29th August 2025, and in compliance with the executive order, all postal items to the United States, except for letters and documents, will now attract a prepaid customs duty of USD $80 (or its Naira equivalent) at the point of acceptance in Nigeria.”
NIPOST further noted that global logistics operations have been affected, as airlines and cargo carriers adopt stricter measures for handling U.S.-bound shipments. The agency cautioned that this could result in extended transit and processing times, leading to possible delivery delays.
“All U.S.-bound shipments will additionally undergo Customs checks at the destination,” the service said.
“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.”
Despite the new policy, the agency assured customers of its continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient postal and courier services.
Citing Reuters, the statement added that DHL Group has also introduced what it described as “probably temporary” restrictions on business shipments to the U.S. through Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany, due to uncertainties over customs duty collection and data requirements.
The logistics firm, however, clarified that its premium DHL Express service remains available, with plans to resume standard postal shipments as soon as possible.
According to the report, the U.S. government said the exemption had become a loophole for tariff evasion and drug trafficking.
