What is a limit placed on the quantity of a good that can be imported or exported called?

A limit placed on the quantity of a good that can be imported or exported is referred to as a quota. Quotas are utilized by governments to control the amount of a specific product that can cross their borders, effectively managing international trade flows. This mechanism is often employed to protect domestic industries from foreign competition, manage resource depletion, or stabilize market conditions by limiting supply. By setting a defined cap on the quantity, a quota can also influence prices and availability within the domestic market.

The other terms listed describe different aspects of trade policy but do not represent limits on import or export quantities in the same way that quotas do. A sanction typically refers to penalties imposed to influence a country's behavior, regulations encompass broader rules and guidelines that govern various activities, while tariffs are taxes levied on imported goods to increase their price and thus protect domestic producers but do not limit the quantity directly.