Import duties are taxes imposed by a government on goods brought into a country from abroad. These duties are designed to protect local industries by making imported products more expensive, encouraging consumers to buy domestic goods instead. For example, if a company imports electronics from another country, they may have to pay a certain percentage of the product's value as an import duty. The amount of import duty can vary based on the type of product and the country of origin. Governments often use these duties as a tool for trade policy, influencing the flow of international trade and helping to balance economic interests.