That's an interesting one. I haven't used that word in a while but it is used across many languages. I guess maybe it's because it's most often used in the context of global trade, travel and politics which is inherently multi-lingual. It's something which affects almost everyone (hence everyone knows the word) but only a few people have control over it and use it frequently (hence there was not much incentive for people to change it as it propagated outside of its domain).
And it makes sense - it's the "how much?" that would be (and is) asked at any port and travelling hub.