Notional and Definitional Problems of the Customs Policy in Theory and Practice

The state has at its disposal a number of instruments that permit to shape the ongoing economic processes. Among them, an important role is played by the customs policy being a basic means of regulation of the merchandise exchange with the external world. An overview of the existing definitions of the customs policy notion shows that we have to do with different interpretations of this notion both in the theoretical area of economics and in the sphere of the economic practice (legal and organizational solutions) and, consequently, with lack of an unequivocal and precise definition of the state's customs policy. These divergences can be reduced to three basic aspects: first - ways of embedding the customs policy in the general social and economic policy of the state; second - difference of views as to the goals that the customs policy is expected to achieve; third - diverging views as to the scope and kinds of the instruments to be used.