Portorium

Portorium, plural Portoria, was a Roman Tax paid on Goods passing through Roman Ports.
They formed part of the Import-Export Taxes known as Vectigalia. The Portitores were the officials who collected the Portorium.

During the Roman Empire it was 2.5% of the value of the Goods or 1/40th.
Under the Roman Republic according to Cicero, it had been 1/20th.
In the Later Roman Empire certain items appear have been taxed at 1/8th.
A 25% Tax was imposed on all Goods entering into the Roman Empire from beyond its Frontiers.
If a city was allowed to raise this tax it was shared with the Public Treasury.
Exemptions were allowed if the merchandise formed part of the State supplies, such as the Annona or Grain Supply.
Sicily and Asia produced vast revenues from Portoria.
During the Golden Age of Rhodes, the Rhodian Navy was paid for by this tax.

Portoria were Import and Export Duties that were paid on Merchandise passing through the Ports and the Revenue went to the Aerarium (Public Treasury).

These were Taxes paid on Merchandise passing through the Gates of Towns and Cities.
- In Gaul, Portoria continued long after the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
- They were called ‘Tonlieux’ and ‘coutumes’ under the Franks.
- Under Louis XIV (1638-1715 CE), these taxes were called ‘Octroi’.
- France only abolished them in 1948.

Tolls paid by travellers for passing over Roads and Bridges. Tolls were mentioned by Pliny the Elder in Arabia.

All sales in markets were taxed. The ‘Edulia’ was a tax raised on wine and certain food items.