customs
noun [ plural ]
uk/ˈkʌstəmz/ us TAX, GOVERNMENT (also Customs)
the government department that deals with taxes on goods coming into and leaving a country:
UK customs say the truck was carrying drugs with a street value of over £3m.
A prominent retailer is legally challenging Customs' decision to include credit card fees in the amount of duty paid on imported goods.
She works for US Customs.
TRANSPORT, TAX
the place at an airport, port, or border where goods that people bring into a country are examined to make sure they are legal and whether any tax should be paid on them:
A man who was stopped at customs was found to have a quantity of plastic explosives in his case.
A small wooden hut at the border crossing served as both passport control and customs.
go through customs You will need to go through customs after you have retrieved your baggage.
TAX
taxes that are paid on goods that are brought into a country:
You don't have to pay customs on any alcohol or tobacco brought for your own consumption in another EU country.
See also
customs agent
Customs and Excise
customs bond
customs broker
customs clearance
customs declaration
customs drawback
customs duty
customs entry
customs officer
customs official
customs specification
customs tariff
customs union
customs warehouse