In a public notice issued on Friday, the postal agency explained that the new charges follow a directive by the U.S. government, which recently signed an Executive Order suspending the “de minimis” exemption for duty-free postal shipments worldwide.

The policy, NIPOST said, was enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, effectively removing the privilege that allowed low-value shipments to enter the U.S. without customs duty.

“This means that every item, regardless of size or declared value, must now carry a mandatory prepaid duty before being accepted for dispatch to the United States,” the notice stated.

The development is expected to affect thousands of Nigerians who rely on NIPOST to send goods, gifts, and small business packages abroad, particularly to relatives, customers, and trading partners in the U.S. Many worry that the additional charge will raise shipping costs significantly and could dampen cross-border trade for small and medium-sized businesses.

Logistics experts note that while private courier companies may also adjust their fees to align with the new U.S. directive, the change will be felt most by ordinary citizens and small traders who depend on postal services as a cheaper alternative.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have urged NIPOST to engage with the U.S. authorities and explore possible bilateral arrangements that could ease the burden on Nigerian exporters. Consumer advocates have also called on the federal government to cushion the impact, noting that the policy, if unchecked, may discourage diaspora remittances in kind and limit business opportunities.

With the enforcement date just days away, NIPOST has advised customers to take note of the new charges and make the necessary financial arrangements before dispatching parcels to the United States.