While 关税 (guānshuì) is primarily an economic term, its application is deeply tied to China's modern history and national strategy. Since the “Reform and Opening Up” (改革开放) policy began in 1978, the adjustment of tariffs has been a primary tool for the Chinese government to manage its economic development.
Then vs. Now: In the past, high tariffs were used to protect fledgling domestic industries (like automobile manufacturing) from foreign competition. Today, as China's economy has matured, the government often *lowers* tariffs on consumer goods (like cosmetics or baby formula) to stimulate domestic consumption, satisfy the growing middle class, and combat the gray market of goods brought in by travelers.
Comparison to “Tariff” in the West: In the United States, the word “tariff” is often publicly and politically charged, frequently associated with “trade wars” and partisan debate. In China, while 关税 is a topic of immense importance for policymakers and businesses, public discussion is often framed by the official government narrative. Changes to tariffs are typically presented in state media as strategic, carefully planned decisions for the national good, rather than as contentious political battles. The term itself is technical and neutral, but its use is a powerful instrument of state policy.
You'll encounter 关税 (guānshuì) in several key contexts:
News and Economics: This is the most common place to see the term. News reports on CCTV or Xinhua will frequently discuss adjustments to `进口关税` (jìnkǒu guānshuì, import tariffs) or `出口关税` (chūkǒu guānshuì, export tariffs) in relation to trade agreements or international relations.
Business and Logistics: For any company involved in import-export, 关税 is a critical part of calculating the “landed cost” of a product. Discussions will revolve around `关税税率` (guānshuì shuìlǜ, tariff rate) and `缴纳关税` (jiǎonà guānshuì, to pay tariffs).
Cross-border E-commerce (海淘 - hǎitáo): Chinese consumers who buy products from overseas websites are very familiar with 关税. They often look for sellers who offer `包税` (bāo shuì), meaning the price is “tax-inclusive,” to avoid unexpected charges from customs.
The term's connotation is neutral; whether a tariff is “good” or “bad” depends entirely on whether it's being raised or lowered, and on your perspective as a consumer, producer, or policymaker.