nothing to declare

Meaning

This is a formal statement made to customs officers at a border or airport, indicating that you are not carrying any goods that exceed duty-free limits or require official inspection (such as food, large amounts of cash, or restricted items). When arriving, travelers with no such items walk through the green channel marked 'Nothing to Declare'.

Examples

• Since I only bought a few souvenirs, I walked straight through the nothing to declare lane.

  Since I only bought a few souvenirs, I walked straight through the nothing to declare lane.

• Do you have anything to declare, or can we go through the nothing to declare exit?

  Do you have anything to declare, or can we go through the nothing to declare exit?

• I was stopped for a random bag check even though I went through the nothing to declare channel.

  I was stopped for a random bag check even though I went through the nothing to declare channel.

• He told the customs officer he had nothing to declare.

  He told the customs officer he had nothing to declare.

• Make sure you actually have nothing to declare before choosing the green channel.

  Make sure you actually have nothing to declare before choosing the green channel.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I went to the nothing to say channel.

  ✓ I went to the nothing to declare channel.

  In a customs context, the official verb is 'declare', not 'say' or 'tell'.

• ✗ I have nothing to clear at customs.

  ✓ I have nothing to declare at customs.

  While goods 'clear' customs, the action the passenger takes is to 'declare' their items.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you aren't carrying any restricted items, follow the green signs for ___.

  💡 The customs channel for travelers with no duty-paying goods.

  Show answer

  nothing to declare

• The customs officer asked if I had ___ before scanning my luggage.

  💡 The phrase you say when you have no items to report.

  Show answer

  nothing to declare