Definition
The published schedule of duty rates a country applies to imported goods, organized by HS classification.
A tariff is the official table of duty rates a country levies on imports, structured around the Harmonized System so each commodity has a code and a corresponding rate. Rates may differ by origin, reflecting trade agreements, quotas, or protective measures.
The word also refers to the duties themselves. Reading the tariff correctly — including any preferential, anti-dumping, or safeguard rates — is essential for accurate landed-cost calculation and compliant clearance.
Related terms
Customs Duty
A tax levied on imported goods, calculated from their customs value, HS classification, and origin.
HS Code (Harmonized System Code)
A standardized numeric code that classifies a product for customs, determining its duty and controls.
Customs Declaration
The formal statement to customs of a shipment’s goods, value, and origin used to assess duty and controls.
Certificate of Origin (CoO)
A document certifying the country in which the goods were produced, used to determine duty treatment.
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