French Phrase
Non, j'ai rien à déclarer.
Meaning
Literally, “No, I have nothing to declare.” It is the standard reply when a customs officer or security personnel asks if you have anything to declare.
When to use
Use this sentence at airports, border crossings, or any security checkpoint when you are asked whether you have goods, money, or items to declare to the authorities.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nonj'airienàdéclarer.
Negation with rien
When rien (nothing) follows a verb, the negative particle ne is often dropped in spoken French, e.g., j'ai rien.
Contraction je + ai
Je + avoir contracts to j' before a vowel or mute h.
Preposition à + infinitive
The structure 'avoir + à + infinitive' expresses having something to do, e.g., j'ai à déclarer.
Use of Non
Non is a simple, polite way to start a negative answer before the clause.
🗨In Conversation
Avez‑vous quelque chose à déclarer ?
Do you have anything to declare?
Non, j'ai rien à déclarer.
No, I have nothing to declare.
✕Common Mistakes
Non, j'ai pas à déclarer.
‘Pas’ is not used with ‘rien’; the correct negative form is ‘rien’ (nothing).
Non, je ai rien à déclarer.
When ‘je’ is followed by a vowel, it contracts to ‘j’’.
Non, j'ai rien déclaré.
Make sure to use the infinitive ‘déclarer’, not the past participle.
↔Alternatives
Non, je n'ai rien à déclarer.
No, I have nothing to declare.
Non, rien à déclarer.
No, nothing to declare.
Non, je n'ai rien à signaler.
No, I have nothing to report.
Cultural Tip
In formal contexts, especially with officials, it is safer to use the full negation ‘je n’ai rien…’. Dropping the ne (j’ai rien) is common in everyday speech but can sound too casual in official settings. Also, keep your tone calm and polite; a simple ‘Non’ followed by the clause is considered courteous.