CUSTOM-HOUSE

In administrative law. The house or office where commodities are entered for importation or exportation where the duties, bounties, or drawbacks, payable or receivable upon such importation or exportation are paid or received; and where ships are cleared out, etc. Custom-house broker. One whose occupation it is, as the agent of others, to arrange entries and other custom-house papers, or transact business, at any port of entry, relating to the importation or exportation of goods,, wares, or merchandise. 14 St. at Large, 117. A person authorized by the commissioners of customs to act for parties, at their option, in the entry or clearance of ships and the transaction of general business. Wharton. Custom is the best interpreter of the law. 4 Inst. 75; 2 Eden, 74; McKeen v.. Delancy, 5 Cranch, 32, 3 L. Ed. 25; McFerran v. Powers, 1 Serg. A R. (Pa.) 106.