FG has slammed $80 Prepaid Customs Duty on Nigerians for postal shipments to the U.S.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Presidency confirmed on Friday that Nigerians will be required to pay a mandatory $80 prepaid customs duty (or its naira equivalent) on postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States.
The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, clarified that this new charge stems from a recent policy change by the U.S. Government under the Executive Order on “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries”, enacted pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Olusegun emphasized that the policy did not originate from the Tinubu administration, and Nigeria is not the only country affected by these new regulations.
He wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“Quick clarification, the new charges ($80) stem from a recent policy change by the U.S. Government under the Executive Order on ‘Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries’ pursuant to 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.”
NIPOST Announcement
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) had earlier announced on Friday that, effective August 29, 2025, all postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States, except letters and documents, will attract the $80 customs duty.
In its public notice, NIPOST explained that the new charges are the result of the U.S. Government’s recent Executive Order suspending de minimis exemptions for all postal shipments globally. This change was made under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
“The Nigerian Postal Service wishes to inform our esteemed customers of a recent policy change by the Government of the United States of America, enacted through the Executive Order on ‘Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries’ under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act,” NIPOST said in the notice.
NIPOST also mentioned that global logistics operations are adjusting to the policy, with airlines and cargo carriers implementing stricter protocols for handling shipments to the U.S.
The notice further stated that all U.S.-bound items will undergo additional Customs checks upon arrival, which may result in longer waiting times for recipients.