海关 hǎiguān customs (i.e. border crossing inspection)
How to remember 海关: 海 sea + 关 to close = customs (i.e. border crossing inspection).
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How it is used
- Customs (border inspection) - 过海关 (guò hǎiguān) to go through customs, 海关申报 customs declaration.
- The border authority/checkpoint; 关 here = a pass/barrier, not 'to close.'
- Related: 报关 (bàoguān) to declare goods, 关税 (guānshuì) customs duty/tariff.
- 海关 handles imports/exports and traveler inspection at the border.