The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has introduced a Simplified Declaration for Passenger Baggage Import system to enhance passenger clearance processes and trade facilitation. This digital innovation aims to simplify baggage declarations, reduce clearance time, and increase transparency. The system is part of the Service's efforts to modernize customs operations and improve the passenger experience. Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, Customs Area Controller of the Seme Area Command, disclosed this development.
The simplified system allows passengers to declare their baggage using mobile devices or digital kiosks at the Command. Standardized assessment tables are applied to declared personal goods, enabling the system to calculate applicable duties and generate receipts automatically. This process reduces manual procedures and discretionary assessments, providing a transparent and efficient process for clearing dutiable goods. According to John Tunde Ayagbalo, Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer, the system has streamlined passenger baggage clearance.
Since the deployment of the simplified system, the Seme Area Command has achieved an average passenger baggage clearance turnaround time of under five minutes. This significant reduction in clearance time reflects the impact of digital processing on passenger facilitation. The Command has generated N10,340,260.02 in revenue from passenger baggage declarations within the first few days of implementation. The automated process provides a direct and transparent channel for collecting duties payable to the Federation Account.
The deployment of the simplified baggage declaration system is accompanied by strengthened enforcement measures to ensure trade facilitation does not compromise border security or compliance with customs laws. The Command continues to identify and intercept attempts to conceal commercial quantities of restricted or prohibited goods as passenger baggage. Enhanced risk management and intelligence-led controls are in place to prevent smuggling and other forms of cross-border illicit trade.
The Seme Area Command reiterated its commitment to modernizing customs operations, improving the passenger experience, and strengthening revenue collection through transparent and technology-driven processes. The Command will collaborate with relevant stakeholders and sister agencies operating at the Seme border corridor to ensure the smooth movement of legitimate passengers and goods while maintaining effective controls against smuggling.
Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila reaffirmed the commitment of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to deploying technology and innovative processes that promote trade facilitation, transparency, accountability, and compliance at the border. The Command encourages passengers, cross-border traders, and other members of the trading community to use the simplified declaration system and comply with applicable customs requirements.
The Nigeria Customs Service Seme Area Command's initiative aims to promote legitimate travel and commerce while ensuring national security and economic protection. The Command assured the public that it would continue to facilitate legitimate travel and commerce within the framework of national security and economic protection.
Key points
- The Nigeria Customs Service Seme Area Command has deployed a Simplified Declaration for Passenger Baggage Import system to ease passenger clearance processes.
- The system has achieved an average passenger baggage clearance turnaround time of under five minutes.
- The Command has generated N10,340,260.02 in revenue from passenger baggage declarations within the first few days of implementation.
