custom house

a government building or office, as at a seaport, for collecting customs, clearing vessels, etc.

Origin of custom house

First recorded in 1480–90

Custom-house officers, jailers, &c., all share the fate of their betters.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 378, April, 1847 |Various
The custom-house officer, searching the next luggage to mine, unearthed two boxes of cigars; of course these were contraband.

With the World's Great Travellers, Volume 1 |Various
Here, to my great surprise, a Custom-house officer appeared and asked us to open our trunks.

Northern Travel |Bayard Taylor
The millinery of Paris is in the ascendant, and there is no longer any need for searching female smugglers at the custom-house.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine--Volume 62, No. 386, December, 1847 |Various

Fidle held on well at the custom-house, and I think that he became a general favorite.

In Madeira Place |Heman White Chaplin

custom house

a government office, esp at a port, where customs are collected and ships cleared for entry