Customs

[L. Lat. custuma, custumce, custumice; from Fr. coustum; consuetudines.] The duties, toll, tribute or tariff payable upon merchandise exported and imported, and forming a part of the public revenue.

1 Bl. Com. 313, 314, note. 2 Steph. Com. 575, et seq.

These imports seem to have been called customs from having been paid from time immemorial.

1 Chitt. Bl. Com. 314, note.

According to Lord Coke, customs or duties were called in old legal Latin, custumce and consuetudines indiscriminately.

2 Inst. 68. 4 Inst. 29. 30.

But according to Blackstone, consuetudines, whenever it occurs, means usages.

1 Bl. Com. 314.