Definition

Noun: 1. A government agency responsible for regulating and controlling the flow of goods across national borders: Specifically, the agency that enforces import and export laws, collects duties (tariffs), and prevents the illegal trafficking of goods. 2. The specific agency within a country's treasury or revenue department that handles customs enforcement: In the United States, this refers to the U.S. Customs Service, which was part of the Treasury Department and is now part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • All imported goods must be declared to the customs service upon arrival.
  • The customs service seized a shipment of counterfeit products at the port.
  • He works as an inspector for the national customs service.

Advanced Usage

• "to clear customs": This common phrase refers to the process of getting permission from the customs service for goods or luggage to enter a country.
  • Our shipment took three days to clear customs.
• "customs service officer/agent": Refers to an individual who works for this agency.
  • The customs service officer checked our passports and visas.

Variants and Related Words

• Customs (noun, often used with a singular verb): The official department that administers and collects duties levied by a government on imported goods. Often used interchangeably with "customs service" in general contexts.
  • We went through customs at the airport.
• Customs bureau (noun): Another term for a customs service or agency.
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP) (noun, proper): The current U.S. federal agency that incorporates the functions of the former U.S. Customs Service.
• Tariff (noun): A tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports, which is enforced by the customs service.

Synonyms

• Border control agency (for aspects related to goods inspection).
• Revenue service (in the context of collecting duties).
• Import/export control agency.

Related Phrases

• Customs declaration (noun): A form declaring the nature and value of goods being imported.
  • You must fill out a customs declaration form.
• Customs duty (noun): The tax levied on imports (and sometimes exports).
  • The customs duty on luxury cars is very high.
• Customs checkpoint (noun): The place where customs inspections occur.
  • The truck was stopped at the customs checkpoint.

Notes on Usage

• The term "customs service" typically refers to the organization as a whole. In everyday conversation, people often shorten it to just "customs."
• It is a singular noun but can refer to a collective body of officers and officials.
• When referring to the specific historical U.S. agency, "U.S. Customs Service" is capitalized.

Noun

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