What does "customs" mean?

1. (border control area) the place at a port, airport, or border where officials check your luggage for illegal goods. 2. (import taxes) the money or taxes you must pay to the government when you bring certain goods into a country. 3. (government agency) the government department that collects taxes on goods and stops illegal items from entering the country. 4. (traditions or habits) the plural form of 'custom', meaning the usual ways of behaving in a particular group or society.

How do you use "customs"?

Usually treated as a singular location despite the plural form. Often used as an uncountable noun in this sense. Often capitalised when referring to a specific national body. The plural of the countable noun 'custom'.

customs

US //ˈkəstəmz// UK //kˈʌstəmz// cus·toms

1 border control area (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the place at a port, airport, or border where officials check your luggage for illegal goods.

the designated area at an international entry point where travellers and goods are inspected by government officials.

Example

It took us nearly an hour to get through customs because the airport was so busy.

Example

After landing, passengers must proceed directly to customs to declare any restricted items or commercial goods brought from abroad.

Usage

Usually treated as a singular location despite the plural form.
- border control
- checkpoint
2 import taxes (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Law

the money or taxes you must pay to the government when you bring certain goods into a country.

the duties or tolls imposed by law on imported or exported goods.

Example

I had to pay customs on the expensive watch I bought while on holiday.

Example

The new trade agreement significantly reduced the customs payable on electronic components imported from the manufacturing hub.

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun in this sense.

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3 government agency (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the government department that collects taxes on goods and stops illegal items from entering the country.

the official department or agency authorised to collect taxes and regulate the flow of goods across national borders.

Example

Customs seized a large shipment of illegal cigarettes at the docks yesterday.

Example

The national Customs agency has implemented more rigorous screening protocols to combat the rise in counterfeit pharmaceutical imports.

Usage

Often capitalised when referring to a specific national body.
- authorities
4 traditions or habits (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the plural form of 'custom', meaning the usual ways of behaving in a particular group or society.

the plural of 'custom'; established social patterns or traditional practices specific to a particular society or period.

Example

He spent years travelling the world to study the local customs of different tribes.

Example

The documentary explores how ancient marriage customs have adapted to the pressures of modern urban life in the region.

Usage

The plural of the countable noun 'custom'.

Etymology 1

Plural of custom. Perhaps influenced by or taken as a corruption of customhouse, from Middle English custome hous.

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.