The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has commenced full implementation of a simplified digital baggage declaration system, reducing passenger clearance time to less than five minutes while generating over ₦10 million in revenue within its first few days of operation.

The new system allows passengers to declare baggage using mobile devices or designated digital kiosks at the border post. It automatically assesses duties on declared goods, calculates payments and issues receipts, thereby reducing manual procedures and improving transparency.

According to the command, the digital process has reduced the average passenger baggage clearance turnaround time at the Seme border to under five minutes since its deployment.

Customs disclosed that the command generated ₦10.34 million from passenger baggage declarations alone within the first few days of implementing the system. The revenue is collected through an automated process designed to improve accountability and ensure duties are remitted directly to the Federation Account.

The command said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to modernise customs operations, facilitate legitimate trade and travel, and improve revenue collection through technology-driven processes.

Customs authorities noted that the deployment is being accompanied by strengthened enforcement measures to prevent abuse of the baggage declaration process. Intelligence-led operations and risk-management systems are being used to detect attempts to conceal commercial quantities of restricted or prohibited goods as passenger baggage.

The Customs Area Controller of the Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, said the initiative aligns with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to leverage technology in promoting trade facilitation, transparency, accountability and compliance at Nigeria’s borders.

The command encouraged passengers, cross-border traders and other stakeholders to utilise the digital platform and comply with customs regulations, assuring the public that legitimate travel and commerce would continue to receive the necessary support while border security remains a priority.