Zoll

Zoll is a German word with several related meanings. Primarily, it denotes customs duties and the government authorities responsible for collecting them, and it also designates a unit of length equal to an inch. The term appears in contexts ranging from border control to measurement, and it is also used as a surname in German-speaking regions.

As customs, Zoll refers to the system of border controls, duties, and regulations governing the movement of goods. In Germany, the federal authority known as Zoll (the Federal Customs Administration) enforces customs law, collects import duties and taxes, and combats smuggling. It operates at borders, airports, and points of entry, and oversees export controls and trade compliance. Within the European Union, the internal customs border between member states is largely abolished, but checks remain for goods coming from outside the EU and for certain tax and sanctions procedures.

Zoll as a unit is 2.54 centimeters, i.e., the inch. While the metric system is standard in official use, the term Zoll remains common in everyday German for describing sizes, screen measurements, pipe diameters, and certain other equipment specifications.

Zollverein, the German customs union established in 1834, was a coalition of numerous German states that created a single external tariff and eliminated most internal tariffs. It promoted economic integration, facilitated trade, and is considered a significant factor in the eventual unification of Germany in the late 19th century.

Zoll is also used as a surname in German-speaking areas.