Export vs. Import — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 5, 2023
Export involves sending goods or services out of a country, while import is about bringing them in.
Difference Between Export and Import
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Exports are the goods and services sold by one country to another. Meanwhile, imports are those bought by a country from another. These transactions are key components of international trade and affect a nation’s economy. Exports add to a nation’s gross output and are a sign of economic strength, whereas imports can indicate consumer demand but may also reflect a trade deficit.
While exporting leads to a flow of money into a country, importing results in money flowing out. Thus, a country aims to have a healthy balance of both. For example, Country A exporting electronics to Country B earns revenue, but importing luxury cars from Country B causes an outflow of money.
Countries often export goods in which they have an abundance or a competitive advantage, and import goods that are scarce or cheaper from abroad. Agricultural products, for instance, are typically exported from countries with rich farmlands, whereas industrial parts might be imported by those lacking a manufacturing base.
Policies governing exports and imports can vary widely, with some countries promoting exports through subsidies and discouraging imports with tariffs to protect domestic industries. These policies not only influence trade balances but also diplomatic relations between trading countries.
Comparison Chart
Direction
Outflow of goods/services from a country.
Inflow of goods/services into a country.
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Economic Impact
Increases domestic gross output and can improve trade balance.
Satisfies domestic demand but can lead to trade deficits.
Trade Policies
May include subsidies and incentives.
Can involve tariffs and quotas.
Balance of Payments
Credits to the balance of payments.
Debits from the balance of payments.
Trade Statistics
Reflected as a positive number in trade balance.
Shown as a negative number in trade balance.
Compare with Definitions
Export
The act of sending goods or services to another country for sale.
The export of cotton plays a vital role in the country's economy.
Import
A product brought into a country from abroad for sale.
Italian wine is an important import for many U.S. distributors.
Export
Materials or resources shipped out of a country.
Oil is the principal export of many Middle Eastern countries.
Import
To bring data into a software program from another source.
He imported the text file into the word processor successfully.
Export
A business transaction involving goods leaving a country.
The new export deal boosted the factory's production rates.
Import
An import in the receiving country is an export from the sending country. Importation and exportation are the defining financial transactions of international trade.In international trade, the importation and exportation of goods are limited by import quotas and mandates from the customs authority.
Export
To send data from one software program to another.
She decided to export the spreadsheet data into a database.
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.
Export
A product or service sold to a foreign country.
Germany is known for its export of high-quality automobiles.
Import
(Computers) To receive (data) into one program from another.
Export
An export in international trade is a good produced in one country that is sold into another country or a service provided in one country for a national or resident of another country. The seller of such goods or the service provider is an exporter; the foreign buyer is an importer.
Import
To carry or hold the meaning of; signify
Had trouble understanding what the strange word imported.
Export
To send or transport (a commodity, for example) abroad, especially for trade or sale.
Import
To express or make known
The news imported by their letter.
Export
To cause the spread of (an idea, for example) in another part of the world; transmit.
Import
To betoken or indicate
A high inflation rate importing hard times for the consumer.
Export
To send (data) from one program to another
"You'll need to export your spreadsheet file into a desktop publishing program" (Jon Pepper).
Import
Something imported
Levied a tax on imports from overseas.
Export
To use an application to store (data) on disk, usually for use by another program.
Import
The act or occupation of importing goods or materials.
Export
To send or transport abroad merchandise, especially for sale or trade.
Import
Meaning; signification
The import of his statement is ambiguous.
Export
Exportation.
Import
Importance; significance
A legal decision of far-reaching import.
Export
Of or relating to exportation or exports.
Import
(countable) Something brought in from an exterior source, especially for sale or trade.
Export
(countable) Something that is exported.
Oil is the main export of Saudi Arabia.
Import
(uncountable) The practice of importing.
Export
(uncountable) The act of exporting.
The export of fish is forbidden in this country.
Import
(uncountable) Significance, importance.
It was a matter of great import.
Export
(transitive) To carry away.
Import
A foreigner playing in a sports league.
Export
(transitive) To sell (goods) to a foreign country.
Japan exports electronic goods throughout the world.
Import
(transitive) To bring (something) in from a foreign country, especially for sale or trade.
Export
(transitive) To cause to spread in another part of the world.
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?
Export
To send (data) from one program to another.
Import
(intransitive) To be important; to be significant; to be of consequence.
Export
(transitive) To put up (a child) for international adoption.
Import
(transitive) To be of importance to (someone or something).
Export
To carry away; to remove.
[They] export honor from a man, and make him a return in envy.
Import
(transitive) To be incumbent on (someone to do something).
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.
Import
(transitive) To be important or crucial to (that something happen).
Export
The act of exporting; exportation; as, to prohibit the export of wheat or tobacco.
Import
(transitive) To mean, signify.
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.
Import
To express, to imply.
Export
Commodities (goods or services) sold to a foreign country
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.
Export
Sell or transfer abroad;
We export less than we import and have a negative trade balance
Import
To carry or include, as meaning or intention; to imply; to signify.
Every petition . . . doth . . . always import a multitude of speakers together.
Export
Cause to spread in another part of the world;
The Russians exported Marxism to Africa
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?
Import
To signify; to purport; to be of moment.
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.
Import
That which a word, phrase, or document contains as its signification or intention or interpretation of a word, action, event, and the like.
Import
Importance; weight; consequence.
Most serious design, and the great import.
Import
Commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country
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
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
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
Import
Having important effects or influence;
Decisions of great consequence are made by the president himself
Virtue is of more moment that security
Import
Bring in from abroad
Import
Indicate or signify;
I'm afraid this spells trouble!
Import
The act of bringing goods or services into a country from abroad.
The nation's economy relies heavily on the import of raw materials.
Import
Materials or resources received from another country.
Coffee is a major import for colder countries with no coffee plantations.
Import
A business transaction involving goods entering a country.
The company's latest import has been a hit with customers.
Common Curiosities
What is an import in trade?
An import is a good or service brought into one country from another for sale.
What does export mean?
Export refers to selling goods or services from one's own country to another.
Are exports positive for trade balance?
Yes, exports are considered positive for a country's trade balance.
Do imports have to pass through customs?
Yes, imports must clear customs where they are inspected and duties may be applied.
How do export subsidies work?
Export subsidies are government incentives given to companies to make their exports cheaper on the global market.
What is a common import for many countries?
Many countries commonly import oil, electronics, and clothing.
Is there a difference between importing and exporting regulations?
Yes, countries have different regulations and requirements for importing versus exporting goods.
What are trade tariffs?
Trade tariffs are taxes imposed on imports to make them more expensive than domestic goods.
Can digital products be exported?
Yes, digital products such as software can be exported, typically through electronic transfer.
Why is exporting important?
Exporting is important because it expands markets, increases revenue, and stimulates economic growth.
How do imports affect the economy?
Imports satisfy consumer demand and can stimulate competition, but excessive imports can hurt domestic industries.
Can services be exported?
Yes, services like banking, consulting, and tourism can be exported.
What is an import quota?
An import quota is a limit on the quantity of a certain good that can be imported.
What are some common exports?
Common exports include electronics, machinery, vehicles, and agricultural products.
How does currency exchange affect import and export?
Currency exchange rates can affect the cost and profitability of importing and exporting goods.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
