The Nigeria Customs Service has rolled out a Simplified Baggage Import Declaration System at its Seme Area Command.

The move opens a new phase in the Service’s push for digital innovation, easier trade and better passenger clearance. It is meant to speed up baggage declaration, shorten clearance time and make the process more transparent for legitimate travellers and cross-border traders.

Passengers can now start their declarations on mobile devices. They can also complete the process at designated digital kiosks within the Command.

The system applies standardised assessment tables to declared personal goods. It calculates duties automatically and issues receipts once payment is made.

This removes manual bottlenecks and discretionary assessments, giving travellers a predictable and efficient clearance process.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Tunde Ayagbalo, said early results have been striking. Since the rollout, the Command has recorded an average clearance turnaround time of less than five minutes.

He said: “Within the first few days alone, revenue generated from passenger baggage declarations stood at N10.3 million with the automated system providing a direct and transparent channel for remitting duties to the Federation Account.”

Ayagbalo added that the simplified declaration system is being implemented alongside stronger enforcement measures. According to him, enhanced risk management and intelligence-led controls continue to intercept attempts to pass off commercial quantities of restricted or prohibited goods as passenger baggage.

“This deployment is part of our broader modernization agenda. We are determined to improve the passenger experience while safeguarding revenue and national security. Technology is the bridge between facilitation and enforcement,” said Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, Area Controller of Seme Command.

The Command stressed that the initiative reflects the Service’s commitment to transparency and accountability.