The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) says sending parcels to the United States will now cost $80 (N123,000) more in prepaid customs duty.
The policy already kicked off effective August 29, 2025.
NIPOST wrote: “With effect from August 29, 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.
Global logistics operations are also being affected, as airline and cargo carriers adopt more cautious measures in handling US-bound shipments. This may extend both transit and processing times, potentially resulting in delivery delays. All US-bound shipments will additionally undergo Customs checks at the destination.
“NIPOST is actively engaging with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and our airline partners to minimise service disruptions and safeguard customer experience,” the circular read partly.
“We reassure our customers that NIPOST remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient postal and courier services despite this global regulatory.”
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.
However, exclusions for some personal items and gifts remain.
NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS OF NIGERIA, DR. FEMI EGBESOLA, REACTED:
“For many low-value goods, this charge may exceed the shipment’s actual worth, making small exports uneconomical. This policy, though global in scope, will particularly affect Nigerian businesses already struggling with high logistics costs and currency pressures. It may discourage micro-exporters, reduce the competitiveness of Nigerian products in the US market, and slow down delivery timelines due to stricter customs checks.
“To cushion the impact, Nigerian businesses may need to explore private courier services, consolidated shipping arrangements, or US-based fulfillment partners. It also calls for urgent government intervention to create export support mechanisms and engage diplomatically to ease trade barriers,” Egbesola stated.
REACTIONS ON FACEBOOK:
Ebe Kingsley Precious:
Na US wahala and not TINUBU’s fault 👎👎👎
Idorenyin Usoro:
Una don succeed to finish the country pata pata
Augustine Chijioke:
Lol, This man go successfully isolate the us
Ogwuche Joseph:
In other words, exports now is +$80 expensive now. It’s alright!
Tonet Tosin:
What’s the economic differences between the current administration in the US and Nigeria
Arc Austin Eze:
We love it! Let’s go there. By the time he finishes with Nigerian there’ll be no more tribalism. Both igbo, yoruba and hausa will all look alike like Siemens twin’s
Linda Tochukwu:
Matthew the tax collector for Bible still Dey learn work for were BAT Dey 😪
REACTIONS ON NAIRALAND:
nothingspoil70:
Before you start blaming Tinubu and start wailing about how this administration is killing you again,I urge you to read the post very well. This was made necessary as a result of duties imposed by Trump in America
jideflash(m):
This is just rubbish by the US govt once again. Na wa o. So I can’t send my bushmeat antelope and grasscutter, my customers go hear am.
jubrilELsudan:
ONTOP WETIN? NA COCAINE DEM DEY SEND GO US?
adioolayi:
While you may argue that it comes from a recent U.S. Executive order that scrapped the duty-free exemption for lower-value shipments, and NIPOST is simply implementing it, applying a flat $80 fee hits ordinary Nigerians and small businesses the hardest. $80 charge on every US-bound parcel ls excessive.
It raises questions of fairness and proportionality. Why should someone sending a package worth $30 still pay $80 in “prepaid duty”? Policies like this stifle trade, discourage diaspora connections, and worsen inequality.
Global compliance is one thing, but punishing low-value senders is another. At the very least, there should be a tiered or value-based system instead of this blanket charge. I still say they are trying to make money off Nigerians on every opportunity and have no mercy for ordinary Nigerians
Mrfixitt(m):
Nigerians will have to choose between life and death come 2027. Tinubu is a great leader according some mentally unstable folks
kaludestiny10(m):
This Tinubu government is hell bent on sucking Nigerians dry. A government that has no empathy for the ordinary citizens is an evil government.
