Heavy Price for Parcels: US Imposes $80 Charge on Shipments from Nigeria

The U.S. government has issued an Executive Order suspending the duty-free de minimis exemption, meaning parcels of any value now attract a flat $80 customs duty when shipped from Nigeria, unless they’re letters or documents. NIPOST, Nigeria’s postal authority, promptly issued a notice explaining its responsibility to collect the prepaid duty at the point of dispatch, in Naira or dollars.

This new policy stems from the United States’ attempt to clamp down on undervalued shipments, once considered loopholes for evading tariffs or smuggling illicit goods. It was implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

For many Nigerians especially small businesses, e-commerce players, and people sending parcels to family abroad, this $80 hit is jarring. Imagine paying more in duty than your parcel’s worth. With the weakened Naira, that translates to about ₦128,000, a staggering sum for something as simple as sending a modest gift, business sample, or package of essentials. For perspective, that fee alone is more than many Nigerians earn in a month.

NIPOST has assured customers it’s doing everything possible to soften the blow. The agency is coordinating with international bodies including the Universal Postal Union, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and airline partners to minimize service hiccups.

While the change applies globally under the U.S. directive, Nigerians who rely heavily on affordable cross-border shipments may feel the brunt more than most.

Some Nigerians are already exploring alternatives. Global delivery giants like DHL, FedEx, and UPS remain options, but these often come with their own fees and customs handling charges. In some cases, however, their pricing structures could be more competitive for bulk or high-value items compared to NIPOST’s new flat $80 duty.

Another emerging workaround is freight consolidation, where multiple small parcels are grouped and shipped as a single consignment, spreading the duty cost across several customers. Logistics startups in Lagos and Abuja are eyeing this model to cushion e-commerce exporters.

Local logistics firms are also feeling the strain, as they scramble to adjust handling procedures for U.S.-bound parcels. This means longer processing times, stricter documentation, and in some cases, frustrating delivery delays.

On the global stage, other countries hit by this same U.S. policy are voicing concern through trade organizations, warning that it could stifle small businesses and widen trade inequalities. African postal unions in particular have hinted at pushing for renegotiations or reciprocal measures, though concrete responses remain to be seen.

An $80 charge may seem small in Washington, but in Lagos, it’s a wall reshaping trade, straining families, and redefining how Nigerians connect with the world.

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