tonnage and poundage

Excise duties granted in England 1371–1787 by Parliament to the crown on imports and exports of wine and other goods. They were imposed on every ton of imported wine and every pound of imported or exported merchandise other than specified staple commodities. The tax was first imposed under Edward III and from the time of Henry V it was usual for it to be granted for life to all English monarchs. They were levied by Charles I in 1626 without parliamentary consent, provoking controversy. The tax was abolished 1787.