Can you explain what 'going through customs' means?
2023-06-26
This is what goPenpal answered
Sure, 'going through customs' refers to the procedure where you declare goods that you have brought with you on a trip abroad. So, if you’re traveling internationally, after the plane lands and you leave the aircraft, you'll often find yourself in a special area of the airport: the customs zone. You are there to face the gaze of the customs officers, who are policing the borders for the country you are entering.
These officials are checking to make sure you're not bringing in any items that are prohibited in their country. This could be certain types of food, plants, animals or even large amounts of currency. Also, if you purchased goods worth above a certain amount while abroad, you might need to pay a tax, often referred to as a customs duty, but the rules vary a lot from country to country.
Now imagine you're a suitcase on a luggage carousel, round and round you go, waiting to be picked up and inspected. This is the moment you've been waiting for. The goods inside you could encourage cultural exchange, but they could also harm the local economy or environment, so you understand the need for this check-up. So, you’re proud to take part in 'going through customs', a guard against potential harm, and a gateway to the adventure that awaits.
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