douane
/dwan/
The English word customs is translated into French as douane.
The term refers to customs checks at a border checkpoint. While Douane is a straightforward and commonly used term, it can be used in different ways depending on whether you are referring to the institution or the authority.
Meaning: customs checks at a border checkpoint (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the customs authority or the customs checks, the word is typically used in the plural form les douanes.
How do you pronounce it?
/dwan/
Did you know?
- The French word douane shares a common ancestor with the English word 'divan', which refers to a long upholstered seat or a type of furniture.
- In France, the douane has special legal powers that differ from the regular police, including the right to search vehicles without a warrant in certain border zones.
- Historically, the douane in France was once deeply tied to the 'gabelle', a notorious and hated salt tax.
Examples in context
- Où se trouve le service des douanes ?Where is the Customs Service?The first sentence uses douane to ask about the location of the Customs Service.Tatoeba #442401 by sacredceltic, translation #272081 by sacredceltic
- Une déclaration en douanes est requise.A customs declaration is required.The second sentence uses douane to state that a customs declaration is required.Tatoeba #579934 by sacredceltic, translation #20816 by CK
- Le bureau des douanes se trouve à la frontière.The customs office is at the border.The third sentence uses douane to mention that the customs office is at the border.Tatoeba #541589 by sacredceltic, translation #530081 by wma
- Je dois passer par la douaneI have to go through customs
- Le Service des douanes vérifie les marchandisesThe Customs Service checks the goods
- L'Administration des douanes a pour mission de contrôler les échanges commerciauxThe Customs Administration's mission is to control commercial exchanges
- Nous devons déclarer ces marchandises à la douane.We have to declare these goods at customs.
- Veuillez remplir le formulaire fourni par le service des douanes.Please fill in the form provided by customs.
- L'Administration des douanes met en place de nouvelles mesures de sécurité.Customs administration is implementing new security measures.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are driving across the border.
- GabrielEst-ce qu'il y a la douane juste après ce pont ?Is there customs right after this bridge?
- ManonOui, je vois un poste de douane là-bas.Yes, I see a customs post over there.
- GabrielDois-je préparer mes documents pour la douane ?Should I prepare my documents for customs?
- ManonOui, garde-les à portée de main, Gabriel.Yes, keep them close at hand, Gabriel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry douane, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries douane, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
