Working Paper: NBER ID: w9616
Authors: Douglas A. Irwin
Abstract: This paper presents new estimates of the average tariff on total and dutiable U.S. imports from 1790 to 1820. These previously unavailable series are comparable to the tariff figures available from 1821 in the Historical Statistics of the United States. These early tariffs were much lower, on average, than those imposed later in the nineteenth century. The paper stresses the importance of deducting drawbacks (tariff rebates on imported goods that are subsequently re-exported) from total customs revenue in calculating the average tariff and briefly examines the structure of tariffs across goods.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: F1; N7
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| average tariff on imports (F14) | revenue collected from customs duties (H27) |
| structure of tariffs (H20) | average tariff on imports (F14) |
| legislative changes (K16) | average tariff on imports (F14) |
| revenue collected from tariffs on imports (that were reexported) (F10) | overstatement of average tariff (F14) |
| gross customs revenue (H27) | overstatement of average tariff (F14) |
| average tariff calculation (F14) | average tariff (F19) |
| tariff structure and rebates (H25) | average tariff calculation (F14) |