What does importing mean?
Importing is the activity of bringing goods, services, or other items into a country or organization from elsewhere. It can refer to the general act of bringing something in, as in “importing goods from abroad,” or to a business activity, as in “the importing of raw materials.” The term is especially common in discussions of international trade, customs, supply chains, and economics, but it can also be used more broadly for ideas, people, or resources. Importing is the opposite of exporting, though a business may do both. In ordinary conversation, “bringing in” is often more accessible, especially when the source is not another country. The word derives from Latin importare, formed from in- and portare, “to carry,” and shares this root with export, transport, and portable.
To bring goods, services, or other items into a country or organization from elsewhere.
"The business imports machinery from Germany."
Usually transitive, although “import from” is also common: “They import from several European countries.”
The activity or process of bringing goods, services, or other items into a country or organization from elsewhere.
"The importing of foreign products requires careful compliance with local regulations."
Less common than the verbal form in everyday speech; it is especially frequent in formal and economic contexts.
Involving or engaged in bringing goods or services into a country or organization from elsewhere.
"The company is a major importing firm in the region."
This use is less frequent and is often encountered in business and economic writing.
Every import begins with a border crossing: the word itself comes from Latin importare, meaning “to bring in.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does importing come from?
The word comes from Latin importare, formed from in- (“into”) and portare (“to carry”). Its development in English originally referred to bringing goods into a country from elsewhere. Related words, including export, transport, and portable, share the Latin root portare, meaning “to carry.”
How importing is actually used
The word is common in business, trade, economics, and government contexts. In general writing, “bringing in” may sound more natural when the source is not another country.