The Probert Encyclopaedia of Money

TONNAGE AND POUNDAGE

Tonnage and poundage were custom duties formerly levied at the English ports. The duty was imposed on every tun of imported wine, and at twelve pence on every pound's worth of other goods passing in or out of the country. An early form of this was raised by agreement in 1347, and the proceeds went to the crown, nominally for purposes of defence. In 1373 parliament granted the crown right of raising it for a limited period, from the time of Edward IV for the sovereign's lifetime. In 1628 Charles I claimed the raising of tonnage and poundage as his right, although it had not been granted by parliament. The duty was granted to Charles II in 1660, and made perpetual under Anne, but was abolished under George III in 1787 when excise and customs were reorganised on a new basis.
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