Tare weight

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Tare weight is the weight of an empty vehicle or container. By subtracting the gross weight (laden weight), the weight of the goods carried (the net weight) may be determined, useful in determining the cost of the goods carried for purposes of taxation (sometimes called a tarrif) or for tolls related to barge, rail, road, or other traffic, especially where the toll will vary with the value of the goods carried (for example, tolls on the Erie Canal. Tare weight is often published upon the sides of railway cars to faciltate the computation of the load carried.

[edit] Etymology

From Middle English, perhaps derived from the Dutch tarwe (wheat) or alternatively, French tarhah (that which is thrown away). See discussion page for further possible derivations.