n : a government tax on imports or exports; "they signed a treaty to lower duties on trade between their countries" [syn: duty] v : charge a tariff, as for imported goods
However, there is a vast difference between a relatively low, flat-rate revenue tariff imposed on ALL imported goods and the convoluted targeted tariffs or tariff exemptions enacted by special interests. Modern "free traders" generally ignore this distinction, and erroneously promote zero-tariffs, forcing government to rely on more tyrannical means of collecting revenue. (with credit to willie green)