2. Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for controlling the flow of people, animals and goods, as well as personal effects and hazardous items, in and out of the country. Depending on local legislation and regulations, exporting or importing of some goods may be restricted or forbidden, and the Customs agency is enforcing these rules. The Customs agency also monitors persons leaving and entering the country, checking for appropriate documentation and trying to capture persons identified by international search warrants. As well as increasing the population of a particular country a person may be carrying an infectious disease or may pose a threat to that country. Personal effects would be items already bought or items found abroad which may cause harm in that particular country.
- See also: Border, Border control
