Smuggling and Bhagwati’s Nonequivalence Between Tariffs and Quotas

B-Tier
Journal: Review of International Economics
Year: 2002
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
Pages: 729-748

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

The authors extend Professor Bhagwati’s analysis about the nonequivalence between trade policy instruments when domestic production is monopolized and the terms of trade are endogenous, by allowing for smuggling. They show that the dominance of the ad valorem tariff over the quota is not robust. Tariffication can lower welfare even when the level of illegal imports is quite small. However, tariffication with a specific tariff is always beneficial because the specific tariff dominates the ad valorem tariff and the quota with or without smuggling. Smuggling (or the threat) also tends to lower the second–best tariff/quota, and increases welfare when imports are restricted by a quota, but lowers it under a tariff.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:reviec:v:10:y:2002:i:4:p:729-748
Journal Field
International
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25