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Bureau of Customs

Bureau of Customs

3.8
A government office that inspects and taxes goods brought into a country
  • noun
  • Formal
translation icon : Oficina de Aduanas
  • The Bureau of Customs inspects all incoming shipments.
  • Bureau of Customs and Border
  • Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

Examples

  • The Bureau of Customs monitors all shipments entering the country to ensure compliance with import regulations.

  • Many people are unaware of the Bureau of Customs regulations.

  • All imported goods must be declared to the Bureau of Customs upon arrival in the country.

  • Corruption scandals have occasionally plagued the Bureau of Customs in recent years.

  • The Bureau of Customs announced stricter regulations on imported electronics this year.

  • Cargo is inspected by the Bureau of Customs to verify that all goods adhere to legal tariffs.

  • When goods cross the border, they must be declared at the Bureau of Customs for processing.

Synonyms

Customs Service
vsBureau of Customs
  • Formal
3 3.8

A government office that checks and taxes goods entering a country

is the common alternative name for that same agency
Customs Bureau
vsBureau of Customs
  • Formal
1 3.9

A government office that checks goods entering a country and collects taxes on them

is a slightly broader label for the same enforcement role
USCB
vsBureau of Customs
8.0

A former US government agency that checked incoming goods and collected taxes on them

is the present general agency term rather than a historical abbreviation

Surface Forms

Morphology

bureau + of + customs

The meaning is directly compositional: 'bureau' (an official agency) + 'of' (linking preposition) + 'customs' (import/export duties or authority) yields an agency that handles customs matters. This is a cross-linguistically common naming pattern (e.g., customs office/authority), so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Bureau of Customs gives a clear picture: a desk or small office (bureau) where officials check goods and collect the charges called customs ('taxes') at the border. That's why it means the government agency that watches and controls imports and enforces the rules.