Ancient Customs:
Like our own Terran history kings, princes, prelates or other governmental bodies have acquired the ancient right to impose a customary duty on all
staple goods being brought into or taken out of their lands. Staple goods were items deemed to be of primary importance to the economy of a state. Each
state may have a different set of goods listed as staple goods but the principle was the same; these goods were normally taxed at a higher rate to the
profit of the state. The following is the normal ancient customary tax applied throughout Northwestern Lýthia:
Petty Customs:
This custom is directed at foreign merchants and requires them to pay an additional tax on top of the ancient customary dues. It is usually instituted
as a means to secure a dominant position for a state's own Mercantylers. However, in time many states in need of funds expand the tax to cover all
Mercantylers, to include their own. It also included an additional duty on all other goods. The following are the normal petty customary tax applied
throughout Northwestern Lýthia:
Additional Tax on Staple Goods: 10-15%
Other Trade Goods, per £ Value: 3-6d
Extraordinary Customs:
This is not a tax comparable to anything found within Terran history but one employed by the kingdoms of Emelrene and Melderyn. It sole purpose is to
dissuade Mercantylers, intellectuals and others from importing, transporting and interjecting technologies, ideas and concepts they find dangerous
throughout their sphere of influence. This tax is a steep one and meant to force any but the most wealthy or industrious from trafficking in such goods.
The following is the normal extraordinary customary tax applied within Emelrene and Melderyn:
Tunnage and Poundage:
This usually starts out as a temporary tax and a means of generating funds in times of crisis or dire need. However, like the Petty Customs it may also
end up being a permanent tax imposed on both national and foreign Mercantylers. The most common item it is applied to is the importation or exportation
of wine and like goods. In addition it may also be applied to other bulk goods such as timber, grain, ores, etc. The following is the normal tunnage and
poundage tax applied throughout Northwestern Lýthia.:
Tunnage, Applied to Wine and/or Similar Cargos: 5-10%
Poundage, Applied to Timber, Grain, Ores, Etc: 5-10%
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