customs
8 synonyms for customs, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Taxes charged on goods brought into or out of a country, or the government department that collects them.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
import tax
impost
How to use customs
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
go through customs
customs officer
customs duty
Etymology
The plural of custom, in its older sense of "toll" or "tax."
Full origin of customs →Frequently asked questions
What does “customs” mean?
The word “customs” means taxes charged on goods brought into or out of a country, or the government department that collects them. In plain terms, the border checkpoint and taxes involved in bringing goods into a country.
How do you pronounce “customs”?
“Customs” is pronounced KUHS-tuhmz (/ˈkʌs.təmz/ in IPA).
How do you use “customs” in a sentence?
Here is “customs” used in a sentence: “We had to declare the wine at customs.”
What part of speech is “customs”?
“Customs” is a noun.
Is “customs” a common word?
“Customs” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between customs and tariffs?
A tariff is the tax rate or schedule of charges applied to imported goods. Customs refers to the duties actually charged on goods crossing a border, or to the government department that collects them, so the tariff sets the rate and customs enforces it.
What is the difference between customs and immigration?
Customs deals with goods, inspecting items and collecting duties on what people bring into a country. Immigration deals with people, checking passports, visas, and the right to enter, so at a border the two functions handle different things.
What is the difference between customs and excise?
Customs are duties charged on goods crossing a country's borders, whether imported or exported. Excise is a tax on certain goods produced or sold within the country itself, such as alcohol or tobacco.
Is 'customs' singular or plural?
In this sense customs takes an -s form but is often treated as singular, as in 'customs is closed today.' It refers to the taxes collectively or to the single government department that collects them.
