Spanish word

aduana

Pronunciation

IPA/aˈðwana/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncustoms

Example

Tengo que pasar por la aduana al llegar al aeropuerto.

I have to go through customs when I arrive at the airport.

Illustration for aduana (customs)

More examples

Debes declarar los objetos valiosos en la aduana.

You must declare valuable items at customs.

Core concept

Border checkpoint inspecting and recording goods and travelers.

Common phrases

  • pasar por la aduana

    pass through customs

  • declarar en la aduana

    declare at customs

  • oficina de la aduana

    customs office

Similar words

inmigración: Authority that examines passports and entry reasons to approve or deny admission.
equipaje: Suitcases, bags, and personal items that a traveler brings on a journey.
declaración: Formal report of imported items and their value submitted to customs.
aduanero: Staff working at customs who inspect cargo and ensure import regulations are followed.

Definition in Spanish

Dependencia estatal encargada de controlar y registrar mercancías y viajeros en los pasos fronterizos, aplicando aranceles y otras normas.

Word origin

The Spanish aduana derives from medieval Arabic ad-diwān meaning 'register' or 'bureau' and names the state office that controls, records, and applies duties to goods and travelers crossing borders.

Usage tips

  • At airports and border crossings, people commonly ask '¿Tengo que declararlo?' to find out whether an item must be declared to la aduana.

Other meanings

  • customs officenoun
  • customs authoritynoun

Related words

  • aduanerocustoms officernoun
  • aduanalcustoms-relatedadjective

Word lists with this word