Tarif

Tariff is a term used in economics and public policy to denote a schedule of charges, duties, or rates applied by a government or organization. In international trade, a tariff is a tax or duty imposed on imports or, less commonly, on exports. Tariffs can be ad valorem (a percentage of the good’s value), specific (a fixed amount per unit), or a combination. They serve revenue, protection, and policy purposes and are a central element of trade policy.

Etymology: The word derives from Italian tariffa and French tarif, with roots in Arabic ta’rīf meaning notification or listing, reflecting its function as a listed charge.

Tariffs are regulated by national authorities and often moderated through international agreements. They raise government revenue, influence domestic prices and production, and can provoke retaliation or trade-offs with other sectors. Tariffs may be part of broader instruments in trade policy, alongside quotas, licenses, and standards. The World Trade Organization governs many aspects of tariff binding and reduction among member countries.

For sectors other than customs, tarif denotes pricing schedules for services. In utilities such as electricity or water, tariffs define charges for different consumption levels or service categories and are typically set or approved by regulators. In telecommunications and transport, tariff plans determine rates for calls, data, or passenger services.

Tariffs have complex economic effects. They can raise revenue, protect domestic firms, and shift prices, but they can also raise consumer costs and distort incentives. The net impact depends on the structure of the tariff, the elasticity of demand, and the broader policy environment.