VOCABULARY Flashcards: Tariff and Customs History (Philippines)

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms, people, laws, and concepts from the lecture notes on the origin of tariffs, the Philippine tariff and customs history, and related legislative and administrative developments.

Tariff

An official list or schedule of duties to be paid on imports/exports; a rate book, price list, or schedule of duties.

Tariff etymology (Tarifa, Tariffe, Tariffa)

The word tariff derives from historical terms in Spanish (Tarifa), French (tarife), Italian (tariffa), and Portuguese (tariffa), referring to a price list or rate.

Revenue tariff

A tariff designed primarily to raise government revenue with relatively low duty rates.

Protective tariff

A tariff with relatively high rates aimed at shielding domestic industries from foreign competition.

Bargaining tariff

A tariff whose schedules include rates intended for bargaining with foreign countries, often allowing higher duties on certain imports.

Ad valorem

A duty assessed as a percentage of the value of the imported or exported goods.

Specific rate

A duty assessed on a fixed amount per unit of quantity (weight, volume, or other unit).

Modern Customs Tariff

A systematic arrangement of customs duties levied on goods crossing a border.

Customs

Duties or taxes collected on imports/exports; also the government department that administers these duties.

Almojarifazgo

A historical Spanish-era duty of about 3% ad valorem on imports/exports in the Philippines.

Galleon Trade

The Manila–Acapulco trading route that linked Spanish Manila with Mexico and influenced Philippine trade and wealth.

Fourteen Diamond Ring Cases

US Supreme Court decision (1902) ruling the Philippines was not a foreign country under the Dingley Tariff Law, allowing duty-free trade for Philippine goods to the U.S.

Dingley Tariff Law

A U.S. tariff act setting rates that affected trade with the Philippines; part of the early framework for tariff policy in the era of American rule.

Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act (1909)

U.S. law establishing free trade between the United States and the Philippines for most goods (except rice), with direct shipment and no drawback requirements.

Underwood Tariff Act (1913)

U.S. tariff law that ended quotas and export duties, maintained foreign-content rules, and required direct shipment for duty-free trade.

Jones Law (1916)

U.S. law that enabled the Philippine legislature to enact tariff laws but required presidential approval; kept ultimate authority with the U.S. Congress.

Fordney–McCumber Tariff Act (1922)

U.S. tariff law that reinforced tariff relations between the Philippines and the United States within the evolving trade framework.

Hawley–Smoot Tariff Act (1930)

U.S. tariff law that raised duties on many imports, affecting global trade during the Great Depression.

Tydings–McDuffie Act (1934)

Legislation establishing a ten-year transition to Philippine independence and shaping trade relations with the United States, including quotas and export taxes.

Bell Trade Act (1946)

U.S. act providing eight years of duty-free trade between the Philippines and the United States, with War Damage Act context and reciprocal trade considerations.

Laurel–Langley Agreement (1956)

Agreement intended to address unequal trade terms by accelerating Philippine duties on U.S. goods and introducing mechanisms like the Special Import Tax.

Transaction Value (TV)

The basis for dutiable value in customs, defined as the price actually paid or payable for the goods, plus certain adjustments.

Fair Market Value (FMV)

The value used as the basis for dutiable value prior to or alongside TV, representing the market value of the goods.

Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)

Republic Act 10863 (2016) that modernized and updated the Philippine Tariff and Customs Code.

Customs Brokers Act (RA 9280)

Law that professionalized customs brokers, creating a Board of Customs Brokers and governing licensure and practice.

Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (RA 1937)

1957 act—the first tariff and customs code enacted by a Filipino-led legislature—establishing autonomous tariff policy.

Presidential Decree No. 34 (Tariff and Customs Code of 1972)

Decree simplifying the tariff structure, providing protection to local industries, and strengthening customs administration.

Presidential Decree No. 1464 (Tariff and Customs Code of 1978)

Amendment to PD 34; consolidated tariff and customs laws and introduced flexibility in enforcement and administration.

Executive Order 688 (1981)

Order aligning Philippine tariff nomenclature and classification with the Customs Cooperation Council/Nomenclature.

Executive Order 156 (1987)

Order changing dutiable value basis from Home Consumption Value to Fair Market Value.

Reorganization Acts (RA 7650, RA 7651)

1993 laws: RA 7650 repealed Sec. 1404 of PD 1464 and restructured appraisal; RA 7651 strengthened enforcement and streamlined procedures for seizures and broker licensing.

Republic Act 8181 (1996)

Law introducing Transaction Value (TV) as the basis for dutiable value, aligning with GATT 1994; transitional use of Export Value prior to full implementation.

Republic Act 9135 (2001)

Law extending TV regime, mandating post-entry auditing and record-keeping to curb undervaluation and fraud.

Republic Act 9280 (2004)

Customs Brokers Act—professionalizing the broker profession and creating a Board within PRC; governs licensure and practice.

Republic Act 10863 (2016)

Customs Modernization and Tariff Act—comprehensive update of the Tariff and Customs Code to reflect modern trade needs.