Definition

1. Noun:

   • A tax imposed by a government on imported or exported goods: A "tariff" is a duty or charge levied by a national authority on goods crossing its borders, primarily used to regulate trade and protect domestic industries.
   • A list or system of such taxes: A "tariff" can also refer to the official schedule or rates of these duties.

2. Verb:

   • To impose a tax or duty on goods: To "tariff" means to set or apply a customs duty on imported or exported items.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The government imposed a high tariff on imported steel to protect local manufacturers.
  • The new trade agreement reduced the tariff on agricultural products.
• Verb:
  • The country decided to tariff luxury cars at a higher rate.
  • These goods are heavily tariffed to discourage imports.

Advanced Usage

• "Tariff barrier": A government-imposed trade restriction in the form of a tax on imports, making foreign goods more expensive.
  • The high tariff barrier effectively blocked the entry of cheaper foreign electronics.
• "Tariff rate quota": A trade policy that allows a certain quantity of goods to be imported at a low or zero tariff, with higher tariffs applied to quantities exceeding the quota.
  • The tariff rate quota for sugar was quickly filled, triggering higher duties on additional imports.

Variants and Related Words

• Tariffed (adj): Subject to a tariff.
  • The tariffed items faced higher retail prices.
• Tariffless (adj): Free from tariffs.
  • The free trade zone allows for tariffless movement of components.

Synonyms

• Duty: A tax levied on goods, especially on imports.
• Customs: Taxes, or a government agency, related to imported goods.
• Levy: An imposed tax or fee.
• Impost: A tax, particularly a customs duty.

Related Phrases

• Protective tariff: A tariff designed to shield a domestic industry from foreign competition by making imported goods more expensive.
  • The protective tariff on textiles saved many local jobs.
• Revenue tariff: A tariff imposed primarily to generate income for the government rather than to restrict imports.
  • The revenue tariff on coffee was a significant source of state income.

Idioms

• To pay the tariff: To face the consequences or the cost of something, often used metaphorically.
  • If you break the rules, you'll have to pay the tariff.

Noun

1. a government tax on imports or exports
   • they signed a treaty to lower duties on trade between their countries

Verb

1. charge a tariff
   • tariff imported goods