B1nountravellaw
US/ˈkʌs.təmz/
UK/ˈkʌs.təmz/
the place at a border or airport where officers check your bags and the goods you bring in
In context
It took us an hour to get through customs at Tan Son Nhat airport.
You have to declare any cash over five thousand dollars at customs.
Customs officers found fake handbags in the container.
Words that go with customs
verb + preposition
- go through customsYou must go through customs after collecting your bags.
noun + noun
- customs officerA customs officer asked me to open my suitcase.
- customs dutyYou may have to pay customs duty on expensive items.
- customs checkThere was a long queue at the customs check.
verb + noun
- clear customsThe package cleared customs after three days.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I had to wait at the custom for an hour.Correct: I had to wait at customs for an hour.