Import

Filed Under »
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Import'

A good or service brought into one country from another. Along with exports, imports form the backbone of international trade. The higher the value of imports entering a country, compared to the value of exports, the more negative that country's balance of trade becomes.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Import'

The word "import" is derived from the word "port," since goods are often shipped via boat to foreign countries. Countries are most likely to import goods that domestic industries cannot produce as efficiently or cheaply, but may also import raw materials or commodities that are not available within its borders. For example, many countries have to import oil because they either cannot produce it domestically or cannot produce enough of it to meet demand.

Related Definitions

Search results for

'Import'

  • The Basics Of Tariffs And Trade Barriers

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/tariff-trade-barrier-basics.asp
    ... Non-tariff barriers to trade include: Licenses A license is granted to a business
    by the government, and allows the business to import a certain type of good ...

  • In Praise Of Trade Deficits

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/trade-deficit-effects.asp
    ... on gross domestic product. Surely, it must bad for a country's economy to
    import more than it exports, right? In reality, the trade ...

  • The Power Of Economic Sanctions

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/10/economic-sanctions.asp
    ... they limit. "Export" sanctions block goods flowing into a country, while
    "import" sanctions block goods leaving the country. The ...

  • Understanding The Current Account In The Balance Of Payments

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/03/061803.asp
    ... As export is a credit to a local economy while an import is a debit, an import
    means that the local economy is liable to pay a foreign economy. ...

  • Introduction To The Chinese Banking System

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/11/chinese-banking-system.asp
    ... These policymaking banks include the Agricultural Development Bank of China (ADBC),
    the China Development Bank (CDB) and the Export-Import Bank of China. ...

  • How US Firms Benefit When The Dollar Falls

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/09/how-us-benefits-when-dollar-falls.asp
    ... For example, a weak dollar increases the cost to import oil, causing oil prices
    to rise. This means a dollar buys less gas and that pinches many consumers. ...

  • Liquefied Natural Gas Expands

    http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2011/Liquefied-Natural-Gas-Expands-GLNG-TGP-CVX-LNG-CHK0324.aspx
    ... not connected by pipelines. The fuel is then converted back to a gas at
    various import terminals. Analysts estimate that global ...

  • A Sugar High For Your Portfolio

    http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2009/A-Sugar-High-For-Your-Portfolio-SGG-JJS-DBA0824.aspx
    ... opposed to world's largest exporter. The country has contracted to import
    2.9 million tons of raw sugar. In China, the world's third ...

  • The Play On US Energy Independence

    http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2012/The-Play-On-U.S.-Energy-Independence-BP-PXP-EOG-CLR0209.aspx
    ... China alone is forecasted to import 80% of its oil needs in the next 20 years. Europe
    will need to import 94% of its oil and 80% of its natural gas. ...

  • Finding Value In The Forest

    http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2011/Finding-Value-In-The-Forest-WY-UFS-SNOFF-DEL0510.aspx
    ... Some analysts estimate that China will need to import about 182 million cubic
    meters of wood by 2015. This is an increase of 70% from ...

Related Articles

Partner Links