NIPOST to charge $80 for shipments to U.S.

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) said on Friday all international postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States would now attract a mandatory prepaid customs duty of $80 (N122,400).

The NIPOST Director Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Musa, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He said the measure complies with an Executive Order in the U.S., which suspended duty-free exemptions on global postal shipments.

The statement read: “Effective August  29, all non-document postal items—including parcels and packages—destined for the U.S. will attract the fixed charge of USD $80 or its Naira equivalent.

“While this fee is technically a customs duty imposed by the U.S. government, NIPOST is responsible for its collection.

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“This fee must be paid by the customer at the point of acceptance at any postal outlet in Nigeria.’’

The director stressed that the change is part of a broader U.S. policy and affects postal operators worldwide, not just those from Nigeria.

He also warned that international cargo carriers were adopting more cautious measures, which might lead to extended transit and processing times.

Musa pointed out that the new policy had an impact on logistics and delivery times.

“This new charge and its associated delays mark a fundamental change in the cost and speed of sending parcels to the United States from Nigeria.

“ All U.S.-bound shipments will be subject to additional customs inspections upon arrival,” the statement added.

Source: RipplesNigeria | Read Full Story…