customs
/ˈkʌstəmz/noun
The place at an airport, port, or border where officials check travelers' bags and the goods they bring into a country.
Example sentences
- “It took us an hour to get through customs at the airport.”
- “Customs officers opened my suitcase and checked every bag.”
- “You must declare any fresh fruit when you go through customs.”
Usually used without 'the' in phrases like 'go through customs' and 'clear customs'. It also refers to the taxes paid on imported goods, as in 'customs duties'.