customs declaration

Meaning

A 'customs declaration' is an official document or electronic form where travelers list the goods they are bringing into a country. Border control uses it to check for restricted items and calculate taxes or duties. Travelers must fill this out honestly to avoid penalties or confiscation of goods.

Examples

• Please make sure to fill out your customs declaration before landing.

  Please make sure to fill out your customs declaration before landing.

• I had to list the agricultural products on my customs declaration form.

  I had to list the agricultural products on my customs declaration form.

• You can submit your customs declaration online using the airport's mobile app.

  You can submit your customs declaration online using the airport's mobile app.

• The officer carefully reviewed my customs declaration at the border checkpoint.

  The officer carefully reviewed my customs declaration at the border checkpoint.

• Failure to declare high-value items on your customs declaration can result in heavy fines.

  Failure to declare high-value items on your customs declaration can result in heavy fines.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to complete the custom declaration.

  ✓ I need to complete the customs declaration.

  The government department and the border process always use the plural form 'customs' (with an 's'). 'Custom' without an 's' refers to a tradition or habit.

• ✗ The flight attendant gave me a customs declare paper.

  ✓ The flight attendant gave me a customs declaration form.

  'Declare' is a verb. You need the noun form 'declaration' to describe the official document or form.

Related Expressions

Practice

• International passengers must complete a ___ form before passing through immigration.

  💡 The official document listing imported items

  Show answer

  customs declaration

• Do I need to list this bottle of wine on my ___?

  💡 The form filled out at border control

  Show answer

  customs declaration