diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1e8918d..75fad27 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ When loaded via `shared_preload_libraries`, the extension registers a hook into
 
 ```
 ERROR:  COPY TO command is not allowed
+HINT:   Contact DBA to request access
 ERROR:  COPY FROM command is not allowed
 ERROR:  COPY TO PROGRAM command is not allowed
 ```
@@ -163,6 +164,35 @@ COPY (SELECT 1) TO PROGRAM 'cat';
 SET block_copy_command.block_program = on;
 ```
 
+### GUC: `block_copy_command.hint`
+
+An optional custom hint appended to the error when a `COPY` command is blocked. Only superusers can change this setting.
+
+| Value | Effect |
+|-------|--------|
+| *(empty, default)* | No hint shown |
+| any string | Shown as `HINT:` after the error message |
+
+```sql
+SET block_copy_command.hint = 'Contact DBA to request access';
+
+-- regular user now sees:
+-- ERROR:  COPY TO command is not allowed
+-- HINT:   Contact DBA to request access
+```
+
+**Cluster-wide** (in `postgresql.conf`):
+
+```
+block_copy_command.hint = 'Contact DBA to request access'
+```
+
+**Per-database:**
+
+```sql
+ALTER DATABASE mydb SET block_copy_command.hint = 'Contact DBA to request access';
+```
+
 ### GUC: `block_copy_command.blocked_roles`
 
 A comma-separated list of role names that are **always** blocked from running `COPY`, regardless of superuser status or the `enabled` setting. Only superusers can change this setting.
@@ -192,6 +222,7 @@ When a COPY command is blocked, the current username is written to the PostgreSQ
 ```
 LOG:  current_user = "someuser"
 ERROR:  COPY TO command is not allowed
+HINT:   Contact DBA to request access
 ```
 
 ## Testing
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 37bd42f..70fe54c 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 use pgrx::guc::{GucContext, GucFlags, GucRegistry, GucSetting};
 use pgrx::is_a;
 use pgrx::pg_sys;
+use pgrx::pg_sys::panic::ErrorReport;
 use pgrx::prelude::*;
 use std::ffi::CString;
 
@@ -16,6 +17,8 @@ static BLOCK_TO: GucSetting<bool> = GucSetting::<bool>::new(true);
 static BLOCK_FROM: GucSetting<bool> = GucSetting::<bool>::new(true);
 // Block COPY TO/FROM PROGRAM for all users, including superusers.
 static BLOCK_PROGRAM: GucSetting<bool> = GucSetting::<bool>::new(true);
+// Optional hint message shown to users when their COPY command is blocked.
+static HINT: GucSetting<Option<CString>> = GucSetting::<Option<CString>>::new(None);
 
 static mut PREV_PROCESS_UTILITY_HOOK: pg_sys::ProcessUtility_hook_type = None;
 
@@ -61,7 +64,19 @@ unsafe fn block_copy_process_utility(args: ProcessUtilityArgs) {
             pgrx::log!("current_user = {:?}", username);
             let direction = if is_from { "FROM" } else { "TO" };
             let suffix = if is_program { " PROGRAM" } else { "" };
-            pgrx::error!("COPY {}{} command is not allowed", direction, suffix);
+            let msg = format!("COPY {}{} command is not allowed", direction, suffix);
+            let hint = HINT
+                .get()
+                .and_then(|cstr| cstr.to_str().ok().map(str::to_owned));
+            let mut report = ErrorReport::new(
+                PgSqlErrorCode::ERRCODE_INSUFFICIENT_PRIVILEGE,
+                msg,
+                "",
+            );
+            if let Some(h) = hint {
+                report = report.set_hint(h);
+            }
+            report.report(PgLogLevel::ERROR);
         }
     }
 
@@ -161,6 +176,15 @@ pub extern "C-unwind" fn _PG_init() {
         GucFlags::default(),
     );
 
+    GucRegistry::define_string_guc(
+        c"block_copy_command.hint",
+        c"Custom hint shown when a COPY command is blocked",
+        c"When set, this message is appended as a HINT to the error raised when a COPY command is blocked (e.g. 'Contact DBA to request access').",
+        &HINT,
+        GucContext::Suset,
+        GucFlags::default(),
+    );
+
     unsafe {
         PREV_PROCESS_UTILITY_HOOK = pg_sys::ProcessUtility_hook;
         pg_sys::ProcessUtility_hook = Some(hook_trampoline);