tariffar

Tariffs, or tariffar in some languages, are taxes imposed by a government on goods imported into a country. They are primarily used to raise revenue and to shield domestic industries by making foreign products relatively more expensive. Tariffs can also influence consumer prices, production choices, and the flow of international trade.

Tariffs are typically classified by how the duty is calculated. Ad valorem tariffs are percentages of the product’s value, while specific tariffs are fixed amounts per unit (for example, per kilogram or per liter). Some systems combine both types, and tariff-rate quotas set a lower rate for imported quantities within a defined limit and a higher rate beyond that limit.

Tariffs are listed in a country’s tariff schedule, organized by product categories. In multilateral trade, many countries participate in Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rules, applying the same tariff to all partners that are not given special preferences. Regional or bilateral agreements may provide preferential rates to selected partners. Tariffs can be bound, limiting how high rates can be, or applied without such binding.

The economic effects of tariffs include higher prices for imported goods, potential benefits to protected domestic industries, and increased government revenue. They can also raise costs for consumers and businesses that rely on imported inputs, distort resource allocation, and provoke retaliation or trade tensions. The net impact depends on the structure of the economy and the broader policy environment.

Historically, tariffs have been central to trade policy. The modern framework emerged with GATT and the WTO, promoting tariff reductions and rule-based competition. Today, many countries maintain low average tariffs but use targeted protections, tariff-rate quotas, and related instruments to manage exposure to international competition.