noun

custom

A tax charged on imported goods.

The shipment is subject to customs charges.

Etymology

The older word includes customary payments. A duty traditionally owed on traded goods retained that name, especially as a charge on imports.

More examples

  • Officials collected customs at the port.
  • The importer paid the required custom.
  • The document recorded the custom due on the goods.

Forms

custom · customs

Similar words

import duty
The fuller ordinary equivalent.
tariff
A tax or schedule of taxes on imports.