The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated N10,340,260.02 from passenger baggage declarations within the first few days of deploying its Simplified Declaration for Passenger Baggage Import system.
The digital initiative has also reduced the average clearance time for passenger baggage to less than five minutes, marking a significant shift towards faster, more transparent and technology-driven border operations.
The system, which has now been fully operationalised at the Command, allows passengers to initiate baggage declarations through their mobile devices or use designated digital kiosks provided at the border.
Declared personal goods are assessed using standardised and pre-programmed assessment tables, with applicable duties calculated automatically and receipts generated upon payment.
According to the Command, the system is designed to reduce manual intervention and discretionary assessments while giving passengers a more predictable and transparent process for clearing dutiable goods.
The Command said the automated process also provides a direct channel for the collection of applicable customs duties into the Federation Account, while improving the overall passenger experience.
Despite the emphasis on trade facilitation, the NCS said enforcement remains integral to the operation. The Command has strengthened its risk management and intelligence-led controls to detect attempts to conceal commercial quantities of restricted or prohibited goods as passenger baggage.
The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, said the deployment reflects the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to using technology and innovation to improve customs operations across Nigeria’s borders.
Kaila urged passengers, cross-border traders and other members of the trading community to take advantage of the simplified declaration system while complying with applicable customs regulations.
He assured legitimate travellers and traders of continued facilitation, stressing that the Command would maintain effective controls against smuggling and other forms of illicit cross-border trade.
The NCS said the initiative is part of its broader customs modernisation programme aimed at enhancing passenger experience, improving revenue collection, strengthening compliance and promoting transparent, technology-driven border operations.
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