The Nigeria Customs Service has urged air travellers to declare all foreign currency exceeding $10,000 to avoid seizure under anti-money laundering laws.

The appeal was made on Tuesday during a sensitisation session at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for international airline operators and airport stakeholders.

The NCS stated that declaring excess currency is a legal requirement, and failure to do so may result in confiscation and legal action against offenders.

MMIA command’s customs area controller, Effiong Harrison, said passengers must report foreign currencies, precious metals, or negotiable instruments exceeding the $10,000 threshold.

The assistant comptroller of customs (anti-money laundering), Mas’ud Salihu, said the NCS had introduced enforcement tools to counter money laundering effectively.

According to Mr Salihu, NCS works with the EFCC and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to inspect declaration points across terminals.

Mr Salihu added that dedicated search rooms and posts for currency declarations were fully operational at the airport. 

Mr Salihu said customs had partnered airline operators to ensure onboard announcements reminding passengers of currency declaration rules.

He expressed hope that these initiatives would raise compliance and strengthen enforcement against defaulters and money laundering violators.

Mr Salihu reminded passengers that they are only exempted from declaring if travelling with less than $10,000 in currency. He restated that any amount exceeding the threshold must be declared at departure or arrival, without exception.

The EFCC, NFIU, DSS, and FAAN warned that undeclared funds would be seized and travellers prosecuted under Nigerian laws. 

They said airlines must now submit electronic passenger manifests, including full names, countries, and destination details, before arrival.

Flight numbers and risk-based assessments by customs and security agents are now part of border surveillance operations. 

The agencies urged airlines to step up compliance through onboard announcements, declaration forms, and clear signage at terminals.

(NAN)