Import Duties

What are Import Duties?

Import duties are taxes charged by the customs authority on the importation of goods into a country. Usually, the value of the imported goods determines the amount that will be levied on them. In some context, import duties also means customs duties, tariff or import tax.

Economically, import duties are charged to generate revenue for the government and to protect local goods against the dominance of foreign products. However, there are other reasons for imposing taxes. One of them is to restrict foreign products from flooding the local market. Moreover, import duties are charged to penalise a country by means of a sanction mechanism.