NCS Deploys Digital Baggage Declaration System at Seme Border, Cuts Clearance Time to Under 5 Minutes

Seme, Lagos — September 30, 2026: The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has commenced the full operationalisation of the Simplified Declaration for Passenger Baggage Import System, a digital initiative designed to streamline passenger clearance, improve transparency and facilitate legitimate cross-border movement.

The deployment is part of the Service’s broader digital transformation programme aimed at reducing manual processes, shortening clearance time, strengthening revenue collection and enhancing the experience of passengers and cross-border traders at the Seme border corridor.

Under the simplified system, passengers can initiate their baggage declarations using mobile devices or complete the process at designated digital kiosks within the Command. Standardised and pre-programmed assessment tables are used to assess declared personal goods, calculate applicable duties and automatically generate receipts upon payment.

According to the Command, the digital process has significantly improved the speed and predictability of passenger baggage clearance, with an average turnaround time of under five minutes since its commencement.

Within the first few days of implementation, the Seme Area Command also generated ₦10,340,260.02 (Ten Million, Three Hundred and Forty Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Naira, Two Kobo) in revenue from passenger baggage declarations.

The Command said the automated system provides a transparent channel for the assessment and collection of duties payable to the Federation Account, while reducing opportunities for discretionary assessment and unnecessary delays.

The digital baggage declaration system is being implemented alongside enhanced enforcement measures to ensure that trade facilitation does not undermine border security or compliance with customs laws.

Through strengthened risk management and intelligence-led controls, the Command continues to monitor passenger movements and identify attempts to conceal commercial quantities of restricted or prohibited goods as personal baggage.

The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, reaffirmed the commitment of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, to deploying technology and innovative processes that promote trade facilitation, transparency, accountability and compliance across Nigeria’s borders.

Comptroller Kaila encouraged passengers, cross-border traders and other members of the trading community to take advantage of the simplified declaration system and comply with applicable customs requirements.

He assured legitimate travellers and businesses that the Command would continue to facilitate lawful movement of passengers and goods while maintaining effective controls against smuggling and other forms of illicit cross-border trade.

The Command also reiterated its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders and sister government agencies operating within the Seme border corridor to ensure seamless passenger movement, efficient trade processes and effective border security.

John Tunde Ayagbalo
Superintendent of Customs
Public Relations Officer
Seme Area Command

For: The Customs Area Controller
30 September 2026