「customs」主要有兩個核心含義：一是政府對進出口貨物徵收的關稅，二是社會或群體的傳統習俗。
海關 / 關稅
EN: The government department that collects taxes on goods imported into a country, or the taxes themselves.
翻譯: 指負責對進口貨物徵收稅款的政府部門，或指關稅本身。
習俗 / 傳統
EN: The traditional practices and social behaviors of a particular community or group.
翻譯: 指特定社群或群體的傳統慣例與社會行為。
慣常做法
EN: A habitual or usual way of behaving or doing something.
翻譯: 指個人或群體習慣性的行為或做事方式。
小提醒：注意區分單複數形式："custom"（單數）通常指個人習慣或商業上的「定製」；"customs"（複數）則指海關或社會習俗。過海關時說"go through customs"，不是"custom"。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Customs" from YouTube Videos
Bart Weetjens: How I taught rats to sniff out land mines
TED
“Can you imagine the potential offspring applications -- environmental detection of pollutants in soils, customs applications, detection of illicit goods in containers and so on?”
1. the government department that collects taxes on goods imported into a country
海關（政府部門）
We had to declare our purchases at customs when we returned from abroad.
我們從國外回來時，必須向海關申報購買的物品。
The customs officer checked our passports and luggage.
海關官員檢查了我們的護照和行李。
2. the taxes (duties) paid on goods being imported
關稅
We had to pay high customs on the luxury items we brought in.
我們帶入境的奢侈品必須繳納高額關稅。
The customs duty on electronic goods has been reduced.
電子產品的關稅已經調降了。
3. the place at an airport, port, or border where officials check incoming goods and travellers
海關（檢查點）
After collecting our bags, we proceeded through customs.
領取行李後，我們通過了海關檢查。
There was a long line at customs when we arrived.
我們抵達時，海關排了很長的隊伍。
4. the traditional practices and social behaviours of a particular group or society
習俗，風俗
It's important to respect the local customs when traveling.
旅行時，尊重當地的習俗很重要。
The wedding followed ancient customs of the region.
這場婚禮遵循了該地區古老的習俗。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| customs + of + [place/people] | 某地/某民族的習俗 | The customs of the local tribe are fascinating. (當地部落的習俗非常迷人。) |
| observe/follow + customs | 遵守/遵循習俗 | It's important to observe local customs when traveling. (旅行時遵守當地習俗很重要。) |
| break/violate + customs | 違反習俗 | He broke an ancient custom by entering the temple with shoes on. (他穿著鞋子進入寺廟，違反了一項古老的習俗。) |
| a local/national/traditional + custom | 地方的/國家的/傳統的習俗 | It is a national custom to celebrate with fireworks. (用煙火慶祝是一項國家習俗。) |
| social/cultural + customs | 社會/文化習俗 | Social customs vary greatly from one country to another. (社會習俗因國家而異。) |
| go through/pass through + customs | 通過海關檢查 | You must go through customs upon arrival at the airport. (抵達機場時你必須通過海關檢查。) |
| customs + officer/declaration/form | 海關官員/申報單/表格 | The customs officer checked my passport and luggage. (海關官員檢查了我的護照和行李。) |
對比例句： EN: You must declare any goods at customs upon arrival. 翻譯: 你抵達時必須向海關申報任何貨品。
EN:It is a local custom to celebrate the festival with a parade.
翻譯:以遊行慶祝這個節日是當地的習俗。
EN:The Customs officer checked our luggage thoroughly.
翻譯:海關官員徹底檢查了我們的行李。
EN:Social customs vary greatly from country to country.
翻譯:各國的社會風俗差異很大。
記住：涉及邊境檢查與稅務時用 customs，談論社會傳統習慣時則用 custom。
customs vs habit
「customs」指一個社會或群體長期形成的傳統習俗，是集體性的；「habit」則指個人的習慣或慣常行為。
customs vs tradition
「customs」通常指具體的實踐行為或儀式；「tradition」涵蓋範圍更廣，包括習俗、信仰、故事等代代相傳的整體文化遺產。
customs vs manners
「customs」是特定文化或地區的傳統習俗；「manners」則指在社交場合中被認為有禮貌的具體行為舉止。
在對話中，當引述或提及他人對某種習慣或傳統的看法時，常會使用 "customs"。 EN: He was telling me about the local customs, and it was fascinating. 翻譯: 他當時跟我講述當地的風俗習慣，真的很有趣。
EN:So I said, "You have to respect their customs," but he didn't listen.
翻譯:所以我就說：「你必須尊重他們的習俗。」但他沒聽進去。
為了強調某個特定文化習慣的獨特性或重要性，會在句子中重讀 "customs"。 EN: Their wedding customs are so intricate and beautiful. 翻譯: 他們的婚禮習俗真是精緻又美麗。
EN:It's not just a rule; it's part of our customs.
翻譯:這不僅僅是規定，這是我們傳統習俗的一部分。
在組織思緒或尋找合適詞語時，有時會用 "customs" 及相關短語作為短暫的停頓填充。 EN: The difference, you know, in customs... it can lead to misunderstandings. 翻譯: 你知道，習俗上的差異…可能會導致誤解。
EN:We need to consider... local customs before planning the event.
翻譯:我們在規劃活動前，需要考慮…當地的風俗。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免使用上述口語中的停頓或引述語氣，並需更精確地定義 "customs" 所指的具體範疇（如社會習俗、宗教儀式、節慶傳統等）。
go through customs
verb + through + customs
通過海關檢查
clear customs
verb + customs
完成海關通關手續
customs declaration
customs + noun
海關申報單
customs duty
customs + noun
關稅
customs officer
customs + noun
海關官員
customs regulations
customs + noun
海關規定/法規
held up at customs
verb phrase + at + customs
被海關扣留
pass through customs
verb + through + customs
通過海關
×I need to declare my goods at the custom.
✓I need to declare my goods at customs.
The term for the government agency that collects duties is almost always plural 'customs' (e.g., go through customs, customs officer). Using the singular 'custom' here refers to a tradition or habitual practice, not the border control agency.
×It's a local custom to pay respect to ancestors.
✓It's a local custom to pay respect to ancestors.
This sentence is correct. The mistake is confusing it with the previous one. The singular 'custom' (a tradition) is correct here. The common error is using the plural 'customs' for traditions when referring to a single, specific practice. Use 'customs' (plural) for a body of traditions collectively.
×How much customs do I have to pay for this?
✓How much duty / How much in customs duties do I have to pay for this?
'Customs' refers to the agency or process. The tax or fee itself is called 'duty' or 'customs duty'. You pay duty *to* customs.
×The customs of the airport was very strict.
✓Customs at the airport was very strict.
When referring to the agency or process as a singular entity, 'customs' is used with a singular verb. Avoid adding 'the' before 'customs' in this specific context unless it's part of a proper name (e.g., the Japan Customs).
×We should follow the local customs and habits.
✓We should follow the local customs.
'Customs' already implies social habits or traditions. Adding 'and habits' is redundant. This is a case of unnecessary wordiness.