Translation guide
The English word 'customs' can refer to the government agency that checks goods and people entering a country, the place where this happens, or the duties paid on imported goods. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
Referring to the government service or the physical location where luggage and goods are inspected at borders.
The standard term for 'customs' as an agency or checkpoint. Used in formal and everyday contexts.
My luggage was inspected at customs.
Please fill out the customs declaration form.
Specifically refers to the customs inspection process.
The customs inspection took a long time.
Referring to the tariff or tax imposed on goods brought into a country.
Referring to the established traditions or habitual practices of a society. Note: This meaning is less common for the English word 'customs' but may appear in certain contexts.
Means 'custom' or 'habit'. Often used for social customs. The plural 'customs' is usually translated as 習慣 (singular) in Japanese.
Follow Japanese customs.
Refers to traditional customs or folkways, often with a cultural or regional nuance.
税関 (ぜいかん) is the customs office/checkpoint, while 関税 (かんぜい) is the customs duty/tax. They are not interchangeable.
When going through customs at a Japanese airport, you'll see signs for 税関. The process is called 税関検査 (ぜいかんけんさ).
I have to pay customs duty.
輸入税が免除される場合もある。
Import duties may be exempted in some cases.
その地域には独特の風習がある。
That region has unique customs.