Import vs. Export: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023
Importing involves bringing goods or services into a country from abroad, while exporting is sending domestic goods or services to foreign countries.
Key Differences
Import refers to the act of bringing goods or services into a country from other countries for trade or sale. Conversely, Export means sending goods or services from one's own country to other countries for similar purposes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Imports are crucial for acquiring goods not available locally or more cost-effectively from other countries. Exports, however, are key for expanding a country's market by selling domestically produced goods internationally.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Import activities can influence a country's economy by affecting its trade balance and providing consumers with a broader range of products. Export activities boost domestic industries by opening up international markets and increasing sales opportunities.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Countries often regulate imports through tariffs and quotas to protect local industries, whereas exports are incentivized through subsidies and trade agreements to promote global trade presence.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
The success of importing depends on the quality and price of foreign goods, while exporting relies on the competitiveness and demand for domestic products in international markets.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Direction
Bringing goods/services into a country
Sending goods/services out of a country
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Economic Impact
Access to foreign goods, affects trade balance
Expands domestic market reach, increases revenue
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Regulation
Often controlled by tariffs and quotas
Supported by subsidies and trade agreements
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Dependency
On quality and price of foreign goods
On demand and competitiveness of domestic products
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Purpose
To fulfill domestic demand, diversify products
To increase sales, penetrate global markets
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Import and Export Definitions
Import
"Acquiring resources or products from abroad to meet domestic demand."
France imports specialty cheeses for its gourmet food industry.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 14, 2023
Export
"The process of sending goods or services from one's own country to others."
Germany exports luxury cars to markets around the world.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 14, 2023
Import
"Introducing foreign products to diversify the local market."
Importing exotic fruits has become popular in northern climates.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 14, 2023
Export
"Selling and transporting domestic products to foreign markets."
Australia exports wool to many European countries.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 14, 2023
Import
"Bringing in foreign goods to fill gaps in the local market."
Many countries import oil due to a lack of domestic reserves.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 14, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Export
"Shipping local goods abroad to take advantage of international demand."
Canadian maple syrup is exported to the United States.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 14, 2023
Import
To bring or carry in from an outside source, especially to bring in (goods or materials) from a foreign country for trade or sale.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
"A way for domestic industries to expand their market globally."
India exports software services to various global corporations.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 14, 2023
Export
"The practice of trading domestically produced items on the international stage."
South Africa exports diamonds to various parts of the world.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 14, 2023
Import
To carry or hold the meaning of; signify
Had trouble understanding what the strange word imported.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
To send or transport (a commodity, for example) abroad, especially for trade or sale.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
To cause the spread of (an idea, for example) in another part of the world; transmit.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
To betoken or indicate
A high inflation rate importing hard times for the consumer.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
To send (data) from one program to another
"You'll need to export your spreadsheet file into a desktop publishing program" (Jon Pepper).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
To use an application to store (data) on disk, usually for use by another program.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
To send or transport abroad merchandise, especially for sale or trade.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
(countable) Something brought in from an exterior source, especially for sale or trade.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
(countable) Something that is exported.
Oil is the main export of Saudi Arabia.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
(uncountable) The act of exporting.
The export of fish is forbidden in this country.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
(uncountable) Significance, importance.
It was a matter of great import.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
(transitive) To sell (goods) to a foreign country.
Japan exports electronic goods throughout the world.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
(transitive) To bring (something) in from a foreign country, especially for sale or trade.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
(transitive) To load a file into a software application from another version or system.
How can I import files from older versions of this application?
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
(intransitive) To be important; to be significant; to be of consequence.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
To carry away; to remove.
[They] export honor from a man, and make him a return in envy.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
To carry or send abroad, or out of a country, especially to foreign countries, as merchandise or commodities in the way of commerce; - the opposite of import; as, to export grain, cotton, cattle, goods, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
The act of exporting; exportation; as, to prohibit the export of wheat or tobacco.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
That which is exported; a commodity conveyed from one country or State to another in the way of traffic; - used chiefly in the plural, exports.
The ordinary course of exchange . . . between two places must likewise be an indication of the ordinary course of their exports and imports.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
To bring in from abroad; to introduce from without; especially, to bring (wares or merchandise) into a place or country from a foreign country, in the transactions of commerce; - opposed to export. We import teas from China, coffee from Brazil, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
Sell or transfer abroad;
We export less than we import and have a negative trade balance
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
To carry or include, as meaning or intention; to imply; to signify.
Every petition . . . doth . . . always import a multitude of speakers together.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Export
Cause to spread in another part of the world;
The Russians exported Marxism to Africa
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
To be of importance or consequence to; to have a bearing on; to concern.
I have a motion much imports your good.
If I endure it, what imports it you?
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
Merchandise imported, or brought into a country from without its boundaries; - generally in the plural, opposed to exports.
I take the imports from, and not the exports to, these conquests, as the measure of these advantages which we derived from them.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
That which a word, phrase, or document contains as its signification or intention or interpretation of a word, action, event, and the like.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
Importance; weight; consequence.
Most serious design, and the great import.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
An imported person brought from a foreign country;
The lead role was played by an import from Sweden
They are descendants of indentured importees
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
The message that is intended or expressed or signified;
What is the meaning of this sentence
The significance of a red traffic light
The signification of Chinese characters
The import of his announcement was ambigtuous
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
A meaning that is not expressly stated but can be inferred;
The significance of his remark became clear only later
The expectation was spread both by word and by implication
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
Having important effects or influence;
Decisions of great consequence are made by the president himself
Virtue is of more moment that security
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Import
"The act of bringing goods or services from a foreign country into one's own country."
The U.S. heavily imports electronics from Asian countries.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 14, 2023
Import
"The process of buying and shipping goods from another country."
Brazil imports robusta beans for its coffee industry.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 14, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is the primary purpose of importing?
To bring in goods or services that are not available locally or are cheaper from abroad.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
How do imports affect a country's economy?
They can impact the trade balance and provide consumers with more product choices.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Are imports always beneficial for a country?
Not always; they can harm local industries if not regulated.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
What benefits do exports bring to a country?
Exports boost domestic industries and contribute to economic growth.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Why do countries export goods?
To expand their market reach and increase revenue from international sales.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Can any product be exported?
Most products can be exported, but some are restricted due to regulations.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Do imports always involve physical goods?
No, they can also include services and digital products.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
What role does quality play in imports?
High-quality imports are more likely to succeed in local markets.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
How do trade agreements influence imports?
They can reduce tariffs and make importing more accessible.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Can small businesses participate in exports?
Yes, many small businesses successfully engage in exporting.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
What incentives are provided for exporting?
Subsidies, tax exemptions, and trade agreements.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Can a service be exported?
Yes, services like education, tourism, and IT can be exported.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
What's a trade deficit in relation to imports?
It occurs when a country imports more than it exports.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
What is a trade surplus in exports?
When a country exports more than it imports.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Are exports affected by global demand?
Yes, exports depend on the demand for products in foreign markets.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Can political relations impact imports?
Yes, political tensions can lead to import restrictions or bans.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Is marketing important for exports?
Effective marketing is crucial to promote exported products in new markets.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
How do exchange rates affect imports?
Stronger currency can make imports cheaper; weaker currency makes them more expensive.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Do environmental concerns affect exports?
Yes, products with high environmental impacts may face export restrictions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 24, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
Dua Fatima
