Text about to meet with copper on duty (7)
I believe the answer is:
customs
'duty' is the definition.
(I know that customs is a type of duty)
'text about to meet with copper' is the wordplay.
'text' becomes 'MS' (short for manuscript).
'about to' becomes 'sto' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'meet' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'copper' becomes 'Cu' (chemical symbol).
'ms' after 'sto' is 'stoms'.
'stoms' put after 'cu' is 'CUSTOMS'.
'on' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for customs that I've seen before include "Habits or import taxes" , "Import/export duties" , "Traditional ways" , "Accepted practices" , "state's duties?" .)