Victor EzejaThe latest move by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) to collect $80 duty on every postal shipment from Nigeria to the United States has generated concerns about the potential cost implications for Nigerians.
NIPOST had on Friday, 29 August, announced that henceforth, all postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States (except letters and documents) would now attract a mandatory prepaid customs duty of $80.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThis policy change is not unique to Nigeria but stems from a U.S. Executive Order signed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) that suspends duty-free “de minimis” treatment for all postal shipments globally. The de minimis exemption previously allowed goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. without customs duties or taxes.
NIPOST clarified that this directive applies to all designated postal operators worldwide and is not targeted specifically at Nigeria.
Operational Delays and Logistics Disruptions
The National posted agency highlighted the impact of the new policy on Nigerians sending parcels and goods to family, friends, and business partners in the US, adding that global logistics operations were already adapting to the policy, with airlines and cargo carriers implementing stricter protocols when handling shipments bound for America.
“Global logistics operations are also being affected, as airline and cargo carriers adopt more cautious measures in handling U.S.-bound shipments. This may extend both transit and processing times, potentially resulting in delivery delays,” NIPOST stated.
The agency explained that all U.S.-bound items will undergo additional customs inspections upon arrival, potentially prolonging delivery times.
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Industry stakeholders and analysts have expressed concerns about the impact of the policy on small-scale enterprises, e-commerce vendors and individuals, as it significantly raises shipping costs for them.
International Reactions
Many countries, including France, Germany, Australia, Japan, India, and the U.K., have reportedly suspended most U.S.-bound package deliveries due to the new rules. Their postal systems lack the infrastructure to collect tariffs on behalf of the U.S. government.
E-commerce platforms like Etsy and eBay have notified users of shipping disruptions. Etsy halted processing purchases for goods shipped via Australia Post, Canada Post, and the U.K.’s Royal Mail due to these suspensions.
The U.S. government’s decision says the move aims to address concerns over tariff evasion, drug smuggling, and the influx of counterfeit goods through small-value shipments. While justifying the suspension of the tariff policy, the Trump administration stated that de minimis shipments accounted for 90 per cent of all cargo seizures in fiscal year 2024, including 98 per cent of seized narcotics and 97 per cent of counterfeit items.
