GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 24, 2026

Import Tariff

Unlike export duties levied by the shipping country or domestic excise taxes that arise inland, an import tariff is a government charge applied when goods cross into a customs territory.

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Last updated: 24 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/import-tariff.asp

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

Unlike export duties levied by the shipping country or domestic excise taxes that arise inland, an import tariff is a government charge applied when goods cross into a customs territory. Its purposes are to shield domestic producers from cheaper foreign competition, to regulate trade flows, and to generate public revenue. The applicable rate is determined by the tariff schedule—based on the commodity nomenclature (e.g. HS code)—together with the country of origin and any preferential trade agreements in force. Freight forwarders and importers calculate the duty before filing the customs entry; it feeds directly into the landed cost of the goods and therefore shapes pricing decisions and competitiveness.

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Tools that match this term

Find HS codeDetermine the tariff number for customsOpen Calculate customs valueWork out import duties and customs valueOpen Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen Calculate transit timeEstimate duration per transport modeOpen

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Governments operate systematic administrative programs to manage import tariffs: these establish tariff rates, govern their applic…

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Import Customs Clearance Process

A shipment reaches the customs frontier and the import customs clearance process begins immediately: the importer or appointed cus…

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Import Tariff

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Related Terms

Import Tariff Management

Additional Tariff

Tariff Stacking

import clearance system

Import Tariff Administration Programs

Import Customs Clearance Process

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