Import Trade: Meaning, Definition, Objectives, Pros & Cons
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Import trade enables the exchange of products or services across countries. Import trade meaning is the purchase of international products from foreign countries for domestic use, resale, or processing. It significantly contributes to a country's economic development by providing a diverse range of products to consumers. It also allows business owners to source products or materials from worldwide suppliers to enhance their operations.

Go through the following sections to understand the meaning of import trade, its objectives, pros and cons, etc.

What is Import Trade?

An import trade takes place when a company in one nation purchases products or services from a business in a foreign country. Every country imports something from other countries, especially if it lacks the resources to manufacture it domestically. Another reason for import trade is when the exporting country can produce the item at a lower cost or in better quality than the importing country's domestic production. For instance, many countries import fuel as they lack the resources to produce it locally.

The word ‘import’ originates from ‘port’, which means transport of goods to foreign countries via ship. Just like exports, imports also form the backbone of a country’s international trade and relations. If the cost of a country’s imports is higher than its exports, it is said to have a trade deficit, also known as a negative BOT or balance of trade.

What are the Objectives of Import Trade?

After understanding the importance of Import trade, let’s explore its objectives as stated below:

  • Speed up Industrialisation: Developing nations import capital goods, scarce raw materials, and advanced technology necessary for faster industrial development.
  • Meet the Nation’s Demand: A country that needs certain goods but does not have the resources to produce them can import them from a foreign nation to meet its demand.
  • Overcome Natural Disasters: Countries import essential commodities like food grains during floods, earthquakes, droughts, and other natural disasters to prevent starvation.
  • Improve the Living Standard: Import trade enables consumers in a nation to enjoy high-quality products at cheaper rates, thereby improving their living standards more efficiently.
  • Ensure National Defence: Special defence technology or equipment that is not available in a nation can be imported from a foreign country to enhance national security.

What is the Importance of Trade?

Trade is important for several reasons, including the following:

  • Economic Development: Trade increases a nation’s total value of products and services, leading to rapid economic development.
  • Higher Standard of Living: Trade improves the standards of living for people in both countries.
  • Wide Variety of Goods: Trade makes a wider variety of goods or services available for consumers to choose from.
  • Specialisation: Through trade, a country can specialise in its best skills and sell its goods worldwide to gain recognition.
  • Access to International Technology: Developing nations can access the best of international technology to boost their economies.
  • Technical Diffusion: Trade allows technologies to spread, benefiting the environment and reducing a country’s carbon footprint. Examples include wind turbines and solar panels.

What are the Important Steps Involved in a Typical Import Transaction?

A typical import transaction involves the following important steps:

  • Sending a Trade Enquiry and Requesting Quotations: A buyer trying to import a product sends the exporter an enquiry about the quality, price and other terms and conditions. In response, the exporter provides a Performa Invoice or quotation, including the product's price, quantity, quality, and delivery method.
  • Procuring an Import Licence: The buyer must obtain an import license to import products from a foreign supplier.
  • Exchanging the Currency: The buyer must pay the international suppliers in foreign currency. It requires exchanging the domestic currency for the exporting country's foreign currency.
  • Placing an Order: After receiving the quotation, if the buyer finds the terms acceptable, they place the order for the goods’ import.
  • Obtaining a Letter of Credit: A letter of credit is necessary. The buyer must secure it from their bank and send it to the exporter.
  • Arranging Finance: The buyer must arrange finance to make an advance payment to the exporter in part or full.
  • Receiving Shipment Advice: Once the exporter loads the goods onto a ship, it must send "shipment advice" to the importer. The advice contains the shipment details, including the invoice number, ship name, landing details, export destination, goods quantity, sailing date, etc.
  • Dispatch: The exporter dispatches the goods according to the agreed contract terms.
  • Customs Clearance: The customs department clears all goods once they cross a country’s borders. When the shipment arrives, the importer secures a delivery order from the shipping company and accepts the goods.

What is International Trade and its Importance?

International trade refers to the exchange of goods or services between countries. It includes both exports and imports via air or ocean. It holds great significance in terms of economic growth and foreign interactions between countries. Here is why international trade is important:

  • Better business opportunities
  • Higher living standards
  • Utilisation of resources
  • Better variety and quality for domestic customers
  • Competitive pricing
  • Support to economic growth

Top Factors Affecting Import Trade

After understanding what do you mean by import trade, let’s look at the factors affecting it. Several factors impact import trade, including the following:

  • Income and relative price impact on import demand
  • A country's currency value affects the price of imports
  • High inflation increases imports and decreases exports
  • Increasing domestic and foreign GDP increases imports and exports
  • Government subsidies encourage exports
  • Larger countries have higher levels of international trade

Conclusion

Import trade is vital for international commerce, as it fosters economic growth, global connections, and consumer choice. Anyone who knows import trade and its advantages understands that a country must drive innovation, gain specialisation, and enhance efficiency. However, careful management is essential to mitigate risks and ensure smooth operations. Countries can harness their import trade’s full potential to develop their economies.

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FAQs About What is Import Trade

What is the difference between import and export trade?

Import means purchasing goods from a foreign company, while export means selling goods to a foreign country.

What is import in trade finance?

Import in trade finance is a financing solution used to finance an import transaction.

What are import types?

Basically, there are two types of import transactions: consumer goods and industrial goods.

What is the import process in banking?

The import process in banking involves import financing, import collection, import advances, etc.

What are import rules?

Some important Import rules include the import Export code, import licenses, customs clearance, letter of credit, import declaration, etc.

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Disclaimer: This Article is for information purposes only. The views expressed in this Article do not necessarily constitute the views of Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (“Bank”) or its employees. The Bank makes no warranty of any kind with respect to the completeness or accuracy of the material and articles contained in this Article. The information contained in this Article is sourced from empaneled external experts for the benefit of the customers and it does not constitute legal advice from the Bank. The Bank, its directors, employees and the contributors shall not be responsible or liable for any damage or loss resulting from or arising due to reliance on or use of any information contained herein. Tax laws are subject to amendment from time to time. The above information is for general understanding and reference. This is not legal advice or tax advice, and users are advised to consult their tax advisors before making any decision or taking any action.