The article deals with the customs policy of Russia concerning the import of agricultural equipment into the country from 1885, when the customs duties on such equipment were introduced, until the beginning of the First World War. The research has shown that after 1898 the Russian government cancelled the customs duties on certain types of agricultural equipment and at the same time raised additional tariff barrier for other machines, in order to secure the balance of interests between the producers and consumers of agricultural equipment. The article also considers the interdepartmental struggle and public discussion on imposition of customs duties on the imported agricultural equipment.