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U.S. Custom Duty Fee Hike: Nigerians Face $80 Charges for Shipments Starting August 29 (According to NIPOST)

NIPOST, the Nigerian Postal Service, has declared that effective immediately, the cost for shipping parcels to the United States has been increased to $80.

, and Administrator

2025 September 9 . 1:53 AM

2 min read

United States Customs Duty Fee Hike: Nigerians to Bear $80 Per Shipment Commencing August 29, as... — United States Customs Duty Fee Hike: Nigerians to Bear $80 Per Shipment Commencing August 29, as Decided by NIPOST

U.S. Custom Duty Fee Hike: Nigerians Face $80 Charges for Shipments Starting August 29 (According to NIPOST)

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced a significant change in international shipping regulations. From August 29, 2025, a prepaid customs duty of $80 will be applied to all parcels sent to the United States. This change is in response to the enforcement of a U.S. Executive Order suspending the de minimis exemption on duty-free postal shipments.

Previously, low-value parcels under $800 were allowed to enter the U.S. duty-free. However, the new policy will apply customs duties to all goods imported into the U.S., regardless of their origin or transport mode. This decision is part of wider trade and security measures and affects all countries sending parcels through postal services.

The new charge does not apply to letters and documents. All shipments will undergo customs checks upon arrival in the U.S., which could result in potential delivery delays due to extended transit and processing times.

Global logistics operations are being affected, as airlines and cargo carriers adopt stricter procedures for U.S.-bound parcels. This surge in formal entry processing, caused by the regulations, has already led to multi-day delivery delays for high-value shipments, as seen with the suspension of DHL's business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments to private individuals in the United States earlier in April.

Analysts predict that this policy could have ripple effects on cross-border e-commerce, small businesses, and individuals who rely on international shipping for personal and commercial needs. The increased costs for individuals and businesses shipping small packages, including online purchases, could significantly impact these sectors.

NIPOST is engaging with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and airline partners to mitigate disruptions. The agency remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient postal and courier services despite the global regulatory change.

It is important to note that this duty is not unique to Nigeria. All postal operators and designates postal administrations worldwide are required to collect the levy before dispatch, according to the order. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has triggered a wave of additional paperwork and inspections at ports of entry, which may cause further delays.

This change is expected to have far-reaching implications for international shipping. Businesses and individuals are advised to plan accordingly and factor in the new customs duty when shipping parcels to the United States.