Noun

Wikipedia import (countable and uncountable; plural imports)

1. (countable) Something brought in from a foreign country, especially for sale or trade.
2. (uncountable) The practice of importing.
3. (uncountable) Significance, importance.

   It was a matter of great import.

Synonyms

• (significance): importancy, importance, meaning, significance, weight

Antonyms

• (practice of importing): export
• (something brought in from a foreign country): export
• insignificance

The term "import" is derived from the conceptual meaning as to bring in the goods and services into the port of a country. The buyer of such goods and services is referred to an "importer" who is based in the country of import whereas the overseas based seller is referred to as an "exporter". Thus an import is any good (e.g. a commodity) or service brought in from one country to another country in a legitimate fashion, typically for use in trade. It is a good that is brought in from another country for sale. Import goods or services are provided to domestic consumers by foreign producers. An import in the receiving country is an export to the sending country.

Imports, along with exports, form the basis of international trade. Import of goods normally requires involvement of the customs authorities in both the country of import and the country of export and are often subject to import quotas, tariffs and trade agreements. When the "imports" are the set of goods and services imported, "Imports" also means the economic value of all goods and services that are imported. The macroeconomic variable I usually stands for the value of these imports over a given period of time, usually one year.