NIPOST Introduces $80 Prepaid Customs Duty for Shipments to the U.S.

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced a new policy requiring a mandatory prepaid customs duty of USD $80 (approximately N122,400) for all international shipments from Nigeria to the United States.

Ibrahim Musa, NIPOST's Director of Corporate Communications, disclosed the update in a statement released on Friday in Abuja. The decision aligns with a new U.S. Executive Order, which suspends duty-free exemptions for global postal shipments.

“Starting from August 29, all non-document postal items, such as parcels and packages, sent to the U.S. will incur a fixed charge of USD $80, or its Naira equivalent," the statement explained. "Although this fee is a customs duty imposed by the U.S. government, NIPOST will be responsible for its collection.”

Customers will be required to pay this fee at the point of acceptance at any NIPOST outlet in Nigeria.

The new measure is part of a broader policy change affecting postal operators worldwide, not just those in Nigeria. NIPOST also cautioned that international cargo carriers are adopting more stringent measures, which could result in longer transit and processing times.

“The implementation of this charge, along with potential delays, represents a significant shift in both the cost and speed of sending parcels to the U.S. from Nigeria,” the statement added. “All U.S.-bound shipments will now undergo additional customs inspections upon arrival.”

NIPOST assured its customers that it is actively working with international postal and customs authorities to mitigate any disruptions and maintain reliable service.

“We are in ongoing discussions with organisations such as the Universal Postal Union and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to minimise service interruptions,” Musa affirmed.