Definition

1. Noun:
   • A government agency responsible for regulating and controlling the flow of goods across national borders: A "customs bureau" is an administrative office, typically part of a country's treasury or finance department, that enforces laws related to imports and exports, including the collection of duties and tariffs.

Usage

• The term "customs bureau" is used to refer to the specific governmental authority at ports, airports, and border crossings. It is a formal term, often used in official, legal, and international trade contexts.
• Example: "All imported goods must be declared to the customs bureau upon arrival."

Examples

• Noun:
  • The customs bureau inspected the shipment for prohibited items.
  • You need to contact the customs bureau to clear your package.
  • The new regulations were issued by the national customs bureau.

Advanced Usage

• "to clear customs": This common phrase means to complete the necessary procedures with the customs bureau so goods or luggage can enter a country.
  • It took three hours for our cargo to clear customs.

Variants and Related Words

• Customs (noun, often treated as singular or plural): The more common term for the same concept. "Customs" can refer to the bureau itself or the procedures.
  • We went through customs at the airport.
• Customs authority (noun phrase): A synonym for customs bureau.
• Customs service (noun phrase): Another synonym, often used in official agency names (e.g., U.S. Customs Service, now part of Customs and Border Protection).

Synonyms

• Customs office: A local branch of the customs bureau.
• Border control agency: While broader, this can overlap in function regarding goods inspection.
• Tariff enforcement agency: A more specific term focusing on the duty-collection role.

Related Phrases

• Customs declaration: The form required by the customs bureau listing imported/exported goods.
  • Please fill out your customs declaration form.
• Customs duty: A tax levied by the customs bureau on imports.
  • The customs duty on electronics is quite high.

Notes

• The term "customs bureau" is a compound noun. The core concept is "customs," with "bureau" specifying it as an administrative office or agency. In everyday language, the single word "customs" is frequently used instead of the full phrase "customs bureau."

Noun

1. the agency of the Treasury Department that enforces import tariffs