Legal Definitions - customhouse

A customhouse is a building or office located at a port where duties or customs are collected and where ships are cleared for entering or leaving the port. It is also known as a customshouse.

For example, when a ship arrives at a port, it needs to go through customs to ensure that all the goods on board are legal and that the appropriate taxes and duties are paid. The customhouse is where this process takes place.

Customhouse brokers are individuals who work at the customhouse and help importers and exporters with the paperwork and procedures required for clearing goods through customs. They ensure that all the necessary documents are in order and that the correct fees are paid.

Overall, customhouses play an important role in regulating international trade and ensuring that goods are imported and exported legally and efficiently.