What Are Tariffs and Why Do Countries Use Them? What Are Tariffs and Why Do Countries Use Them? A tariff is a tax or fee that a government charges on goods and services that are imported or exported across its borders. Kiran Shroff / Monday, February 10, 2025 / Article rating: 5.0 These taxes can be imposed on products that come into a country from another country (imports) or on goods that leave a country to be sold in other countries (exports).