海关

• Pinyin: hǎi guān
• Hanzi breakdown: 海 = 氵(water) + 每 (every) — the vast sea; 关 = simplified from 關, a gate with a bar — a pass or checkpoint

Meaning

Customs. The government authority that checks goods and people entering or leaving a country.

Refers to the border control agency that inspects imported and exported goods and collects duties. Encountered at airports, seaports, and land borders. Common phrases: 过海关 (go through customs), 海关检查 (customs inspection), 海关申报 (customs declaration).

Examples

1. 到了机场以后，我们需要过海关。 After arriving at the airport, we need to go through customs.
2. 海关的工作人员检查了他的行李。 The customs staff inspected his luggage.
3. 有些东西不能带过海关。 Some things cannot be taken through customs.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, border, trade

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 过海关的时候需要出示护照。(You need to show your passport when going through customs.)
• 海关不让他带那么多东西入境。(Customs wouldn't let him bring so many things into the country.)

Don't Say

• 我在海关买了东西。(Don't confuse 海关 with a duty-free shop — 海关 is the inspection authority. Say 我在免税店买了东西.)

Origin & History

Compound of 海 (sea) and 关 (pass/checkpoint). Originally referred to checkpoints at seaports, later extended to all border control points.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal