The earliest recorded customs tariffs date back more than 2000 years
We republish the analysis of the Bulgarian Industrial Association.
Originally, customs duties were used to pay for the right to do business in a particular territory. In the Middle Ages, European kingdoms and city states began to impose duties on goods passing through their borders to raise revenue and protect local industry. In the 19th century, with industrial development, protectionist policies expanded. Countries such as the United States, for example, imposed high tariffs to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. This period is often referred to as the ‘period of restriction’.
The change began after World War II, with a course toward free trade, when many countries began to reduce their tariffs. The creation of international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) played a significant role in promoting free trade and reducing trade barriers.
