Legal Definitions - customs duty

Customs duty is a tax that is imposed on goods that are imported or exported. It is a charge that is paid by the importer or exporter to the government. The amount of duty depends on the value, weight, or volume of the goods.

For example, if a company imports a shipment of electronics from another country, they will have to pay customs duty on the value of the goods. The amount of duty will be calculated based on the value of the electronics and the rate of duty that applies to that type of product.

Another example is when a person travels to another country and buys souvenirs to bring back home. They may have to pay customs duty on the value of the souvenirs when they enter their home country. The amount of duty will depend on the value of the souvenirs and the rate of duty that applies to that type of product.

Customs duty is an important source of revenue for governments and is used to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. It is also used to regulate the flow of goods across borders and to ensure that certain products meet safety and quality standards.