A tariff is either (1) a tax on imports or exports (trade tariff) in and out of a country, or (2) a list or schedule of prices for such things as rail service, bus routes, and electrical usage (electrical tariff, etc.).

The word comes from the Italian word tariffa "list of prices, book of rates," which is derived from the Arabic ta'rif "to notify or announce."

Tariffs, often called customs, were by far the largest source of United States federal revenue from the 1790s to the eve of World War I, until they were surpassed by income taxes.

Neoclassical economic theorists tend to view tariffs as distortions to the free market. Typical analyses find that tariffs tend to benefit domestic producers and government at the expense of consumers, and that the net welfare effects of a tariff on the importing country are negative. Normative judgments often follow from these findings, namely that it may be disadvantageous for a country to artificially shield an industry from world markets, and that it might be better to allow a collapse to take place. Opposition to all tariffs is part of the free trade principle; the World Trade Organization aims to reduce tariffs and to avoid countries discriminating between differing countries when applying tariffs.

Shree Sanjay Nirupam is a third time Member of Indian Parliament. He has served two terms as a nominated MP in the Rajya Sabha first of which was as a Shiv Sena member and the second as a Congress party member. He now represents North Mumbai as an elected Congress member in the Lok Sabha. He is the Secretary of AICC and also Secretary-in-Charge of the Karnataka. He is one of the National spokespersons of the Congress Party to express the Party's view on different issues. He is a member of Parliamentary Committees like Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Energy Committee.

He was born in the village of Rohtas in Bihar. After completing his schooling in Rohtas, he moved to Patna in 1980 for higher Studies. During this time he took keen interest in active politics & extra circular activities along with completing his graduation (1984) with Honors in Arts, Political Science. He was earlier associated with Shiv Sena.

After completing his schooling in Rohtas, he moved to Patna in 1980 for higher Studies. During this time he took keen interest in active politics & extra circular activities along with completing his graduation (1984) with Honors in Arts, Political Science.