Customs Records Faster Baggage Clearance Time, N10.34m Revenue Under New Digital System at Seme 

Achieves Faster Baggage Clearance Turnaround Time

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command has recorded a significant achievement after deploying a new Simplified Baggage Import Declaration System.

The command announced the deployment of the new digital system in a press statement issued on Wednesday 30 September 2026, by the Command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Customs (SC) Tunde Ayagbalo for the Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, noting that Seme customs generated N10,340,260.02, within the first few days of deploying the digital system and also recorded average passenger baggage clearance turnaround time of under five minutes.

He said the development is in furtherance of the Service’s commitment to digital innovation, trade facilitation and improved passenger clearance processes.

According to the statement, the new system is designed to simplify the declaration and assessment of passenger baggage, reduce clearance time, enhance transparency and facilitate the movement of legitimate travelers and cross-border traders through the Seme border corridor.

 

The statement explained that the Simplified Baggage Import Declaration System enables passengers to initiate baggage declarations through mobile devices or complete the process at designated digital kiosks at the Command.

“Standardized and pre-programmed assessment tables are applied to declare personal goods, enabling the system to calculate applicable duties and generate receipts upon payment automatically.

“The deployment is aimed at reducing manual processes and discretionary assessment, while providing passengers with a transparent, predictable and efficient process for clearing dutiable goods.

“Since the commencement of the new system, the Seme Area Command has recorded an average passenger baggage clearance turnaround time of under five minutes, reflecting the impact of digital processing on passenger facilitation. Within the first few days of implementation, the Command has 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 alone, with the automated process providing a direct and transparent channel for the collection of duties payable to the Federation Account,” the statement partly reads.

It stated further that the simplified baggage declaration system was implemented alongside strengthened enforcement measures to ensure that trade facilitation does not compromise border security or compliance with customs laws.

“Through enhanced risk management and intelligence-led controls, the Command continues to identify and intercept attempts to conceal commercial quantities of restricted or prohibited goods as passenger baggage,” the statement stated.

Reading further, it stated that “The deployment of the Simplified Declaration for Passenger Baggage forms part of its broader efforts to modernise customs operations, improve the passenger experience and strengthen revenue collection through transparent and technology-driven processes.

“The Command will continue to 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 and other forms of cross-border illicit trade”.

Reacting to the development, the Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, said the step taken is part of the command’s commitment to promoting the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s Innovative Drive, in achieving trade facilitation, transparency, accountability and compliance at the border.

Kaila encouraged passengers, cross-border traders and other members of the trading community to make use of the simplified declaration system and comply with applicable customs requirements, and also assured the public that legitimate trade and travel will continue to receive the necessary facilitation within the framework of national security and economic protection.