customs

Universal Words noun [pl.] 1 (usually Customs) (BrE also Customs and Excise) (AmE also US Customs Service) the government department that collects taxes on goods bought and sold and on goods brought into the country, and that checks what is brought in: The Customs have seized large quantities of smuggled heroin. * a customs officer HELPNOTE AmE uses a singular verb with customs in this meaning. 2 the place at a port or an airport where your bags are checked as you come into a country: to go through customs and passport control 3 the taxes that must be paid to the government when goods are brought in from other countries: to pay customs on sth * customs duty / duties compareEXCISE