US Tariff Hike: NIPOST Slaps $80 Levy on Outbound Parcels Effective Aug. 29

In response to a recent U.S. tariff increase, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that all parcels and items sent to the United States will now require a prepaid customs duty of $80 (or the naira equivalent).

This new charge, effective today, August 29, 2025, applies to all items except letters and documents, and must be paid at the time of acceptance in Nigeria.

In a statement released on Friday, August 29, NIPOST’s management explained that these new fees are a result of a recent U.S. government policy change under the Executive Order on “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).”

According to the agency, this Executive Order affects all postal operators and designated postal administrations globally.

The additional duty applies to all international postal shipments entering the United States, not exclusively those from Nigeria.

NIPOST further disclosed that the new rule is expected to have ripple effects on global logistics.

“Airline and cargo carriers are adopting more cautious measures in handling U.S.-bound shipments. This may extend both transit and processing times, potentially resulting in delivery delays,” the management said.

The postal service added that all U.S.-bound shipments will additionally undergo Customs checks at the destination, a measure that could further prolong delivery timelines.

To cushion the impact, NIPOST said it is already in discussions with international partners.

“NIPOST is actively engaging with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and our airline partners to minimise service disruptions and safeguard customer experience,” the statement noted.

The management reassured Nigerians of its commitment to quality service delivery despite the new restrictions.

“We reassure our customers that NIPOST remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient postal and courier services despite this global regulatory adjustment,” it said.