Presidency Explains Why Nigerians Must Pay $80 For NIPOST Shipments To The U.S.

The Presidency on Friday confirmed that Nigerians will now be required to pay a mandatory prepaid customs duty of $80, or its naira equivalent, on all postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States of America.

The clarification was issued by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, who explained that the fee is not a Nigerian government initiative but the result of a recent U.S. policy shift.

According to him, the charge stems from an Executive Order by the U.S. Government suspending duty-free “de minimis” treatment for all countries, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Olusegun noted that the directive applies globally and affects all international postal operators, not just Nigeria’s.

“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,” he stated in a post on .

His clarification came after the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) announced that, beginning August 29, 2025, all shipments to the U.S.—excluding letters and documents—would attract the mandatory duty.

In its public notice, NIPOST explained that the new rule is part of the U.S. government’s suspension of de minimis exemptions, adding that the policy has already prompted stricter protocols across global logistics operations, with airlines and cargo carriers adjusting their handling of U.S.-bound shipments.

NIPOST further warned that all parcels arriving in the U.S. will undergo additional Customs checks, which may increase delivery delays for recipients.