Tariff is a duty or a tax, levied on goods that are imported or exportedacross theborder of a country or a group of countries that have formeda customs union

Historically there have been three types of tariffs: transit, export and import. The most significant of these are import tariffs which are classified as either protective or revenue. Protective tariffs are designed to protect domestic industries and agriculture from foreign competition by raising the price of imported goods. Revenue tariffs are designed to obtain revenue and provide a major source of income for the federal government. These two types are closely related. Protective tariffs raise revenue and revenue tariffs give some protection to domestic producers.

There is one more type of tariff – a preferential tariff. It is an import duty, at especially low rate,which is applied in respect of goods imported from a country that is being favored. Usually preferential tariff is exchanged exclusively within the countries of the customs union and is not extended to outside countries.

The amount of tax collected is called the customs duty. If the duty is imposed according to the physical quantity of the goods (per ton, per meter, per item, etc.), it is called specific duty. When the duty is charged by weight, it is calculated of the net weight of the article excluding the weight of any container.

If they are levied according to the value of the goods, they are known as ad valorem* duties. When an article contains more than one ingredient, the duty is calculated on the proportionate value of the dutiable ingredients. For ad valorem duty the value of an article is assessed according to the price of the article on the open market. This value includes freight, insurance, commission, packing, containers and other costs.

VAT (Value Added Tax) is an indirect tax on the final consumption of goods and services in the home market.

The excise tax is levied on most imported items considered luxury goods, such as cars, jewelry, alcohol and tobacco.

Goods will be released only after the payment of duties. In the Russian Federation all Customs duties are payable both in Russian and foreign currencies. Payments are accepted in cash and by cheque.

* Ad valorem is a Latin term meaning “according to the value”.