Customs

Official authority regulating movement across national borders.

customs authority customs service

Customs refers to the official authority tasked with regulating the movement of goods, people, and vehicles across national borders. Customs agencies enforce laws related to taxation, trade regulations, immigration control, and the prevention of smuggling.

Etymology

Customs derives from the Old French word 'coutume,' meaning habit or practice.

Explain Like I’m 5

Customs are like border guards who check what people and goods bring into or take out of a country to make sure everything is allowed and taxed correctly.

Fun Facts

The oldest customs service in the world is British Customs, dating back to 1347
Many countries use customs revenue to fund public services
Customs agencies often work with other organizations to combat transnational crime

FAQ

What do customs officers do? They inspect goods and people crossing borders
What are import duties? Taxes on goods brought into a country
How do customs help prevent illegal activities? They stop smuggling and trafficking

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

Government Border control

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

Tariffs Duties Inspections

Meronyms — Parts or Components

Border patrol Declaration forms

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

Government agencies International trade

Indexes

governmental organization regulatory body security

Built by Tim Jones