What was the purpose of the 1696 Navigation Act?

The Navigation Act of 1660 and the Staples Act of 1663, also called the Act for the Encouragement of Trade, required all European goods bound for the Colonies to be shipped through England first. The goods would be unloaded, inspected all duties paid and reloaded on English vessels. Imports of commodities such as sugar and tobacco had to be landed, and tax paid before being sent on to other countries. This increased costs and shipping times.