CUSTOMS DEPLOYS SIMPLIFIED BAGGAGE SYSTEM AT SEME BORDER

Customs Deploys Simplified Baggage Declaration System at Seme Border

By Babatunde Aremu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has commenced the full operationalisation of the Simplified Declaration for Passenger Baggage Import System, as part of efforts to enhance trade facilitation, digitalise customs processes and improve passenger clearance at the border.

The initiative allows passengers to initiate baggage declarations using mobile devices or designated digital kiosks at the Command, with standardised assessment tables used to determine applicable duties on declared personal goods.

According to the Command, the automated system also generates payment receipts, reducing manual procedures and discretionary assessments while providing passengers with a more transparent and predictable clearance process.

The Seme Area Command said the digital system has reduced passenger baggage clearance turnaround time to an average of less than five minutes since its deployment.
Within the first few days of implementation, the Command generated ₦10,340,260.02 in revenue from passenger baggage declarations alone.

The Command explained that the automated process provides a direct and transparent channel for the collection of applicable duties into the Federation Account.
While strengthening passenger facilitation, the Command said enforcement measures remain in place to prevent the abuse of the baggage declaration process.
It noted that enhanced risk management and intelligence-led controls are being deployed to identify attempts to conceal commercial quantities of restricted or prohibited goods as passenger baggage.

The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, reaffirmed the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the deployment of technology and innovative processes that promote trade facilitation, transparency, accountability and compliance at Nigeria’s borders.
Kaila urged passengers, cross-border traders and other members of the trading community to utilise the simplified declaration system and comply with applicable customs requirements.

He assured that legitimate travel and commerce would continue to receive the necessary facilitation while the Service maintains effective controls to protect national security and the Nigerian economy.