Spanish Phrase
No, no tengo nada que declarar.
Meaning
Literally, "No, I have nothing that to declare." In everyday English it translates to "No, I have nothing to declare." The sentence is a polite, firm way to answer a customs officer or any authority asking if you have items to declare.
When to use
Use this phrase at border control, airport customs, or any situation where an official asks if you have goods, money, or information to declare. It can also appear in informal contexts when you want to stress that you have nothing to report.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nonotengonadaquedeclarar
Double "No"
The first "No" is an interjection (a quick refusal), the second "no" is the grammatical negation that belongs to the verb phrase.
Tener + nada
When a negative word (nada, nunca, nadie) follows the verb, the verb itself must also be negated with "no".
"Que" + infinitive
"Que" introduces a relative clause that modifies "nada" and is followed by an infinitive verb (declarar).
Infinitive as complement
The infinitive "declarar" functions as the complement of the phrase "nada que" – literally, "nothing that to declare".
🗨In Conversation
¿Tiene algo que declarar?
Do you have anything to declare?
No, no tengo nada que declarar.
No, I have nothing to declare.
✕Common Mistakes
Si, no tengo nada que declarar.
"Si" means "yes"; using it would completely change the meaning.
No, no tengo nada para declarar.
While understandable, "para" shifts the nuance to purpose rather than the object of declaration; the standard phrase uses "que".
No, no tengo nada declarar.
The relative "que" is required to link "nada" with the infinitive verb.
↔Alternatives
No, no tengo nada que reportar.
No, I have nothing to report.
No, no llevo nada que declarar.
No, I'm not carrying anything to declare.
No, no hay nada que declarar.
No, there is nothing to declare.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries customs officers will start with "¿Tiene algo que declarar?" The double "No" is common and sounds natural; dropping the first "No" can make the answer sound abrupt. Remember to keep a calm tone and maintain eye contact – politeness matters as much as the words you use.