Expert: Mark Smith - 6/15/2007

Question
Hi, what were customs duties/rates? I have read about them under Henry VII and Mary I. Thanks, Emma

Answer
Hello Emma.
Customs duties were a tax on foreign imports. They were levied in order to make foreign goods more expensive than homemade goods and therefore protected the home market. They were also levied on foreign ships and trading companies carrying goods, whilst English ships did not pay the extra taxes, thus they protected English trading companies. They were common throughout all periods of history.
Mark