The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved a $300 De Minimis threshold for low-value imports, effective today Monday, September 8, 2025, following its 63rd regular meeting on September 2, chaired by Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

This move, aligned with global best practices, aims to simplify clearance processes, enhance trade facilitation, and provide clarity for e-commerce stakeholders and travelers, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s trade policy.

The De Minimis threshold, defined as the value below which imported goods are exempt from customs duties and taxes, applies to low-value imports, e-commerce consignments, and passenger baggage, limited to four importations per person annually.

This decision, rooted in Section 5(c & d) and Section 158(5 & 6) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and supported by the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement and the World Customs Organisation’s Revised Kyoto Convention, exempts goods valued at $300 or less—provided they are not prohibited or restricted—from duties.

The new framework ensures immediate release of eligible consignments without post-release documentation, though strict enforcement will penalize invoice manipulation or duty evasion with forfeiture, arrest, or other sanctions under the NCS Act, 2023.

Multi-channel helpdesk platforms will assist stakeholders with compliance and inquiries, aiming to stimulate cross-border e-commerce and reinforce Nigeria’s regional trade leadership.

In a separate development, the board addressed disciplinary issues following viral social media videos of officer misconduct. After a thorough review, two officers were demoted to the next lower rank and ordered to undergo medical re-evaluations to assess their fitness, serving as a deterrent.

Two others were reinstated after favorable reconsideration and a stern warning was issued to all personnel against substance abuse and unethical behavior, emphasizing the service’s commitment to accountability and integrity.