- All trade had to be conducted through the mother country. This meant that colonists could not trade directly with other countries, even if it would have been more profitable. All goods had to be shipped to the mother country first, and then could be re-exported to other countries.
- The colonies could only produce goods that the mother country did not produce. This prevented the colonies from competing with the mother country's economy. For example, the British colonies in America were not allowed to produce woolen goods, because England was a major producer of wool.
- The colonies had to buy manufactured goods from the mother country. This ensured that the mother country's economy benefited from the colonies' trade. For example, the British colonies in America had to buy all of their iron goods from England.
- The colonies were not allowed to set up their own currency. This prevented the colonies from becoming financially independent from the mother country. Colonists had to use the currency of the mother country.
These trade rules were designed to benefit the mother country economically, and to keep the colonies politically dependent. They were a source of resentment among the colonists, and were one of the factors that led to the American Revolution.