Imports and exports are the terms used to describe the goods and services traded between nations. Imports Countries import goods that they cannot produce domestically, or that companies can supply to these countries at a higher quality or lower cost. The term can also apply to services rendered to residents of one country from non-residents. Even tourists fall under a loose definition of providing an imported service through the investment they make in hotels, restaurants and attractions. Import statistics can be difficult to track, because of varying definitions and inaccurate coverage. Most of the data collected comes from declarations to custom services. However, these would not account for goods imported to one member nation from another in the European Union (EU), since such products may be moved without customs controls. According to the World Trade Organization, the United States is the world’s largest importer (based on capital investment), followed by the EU, China, Germany and Japan. Exports Exports, simply put, are goods or services produced locally and sold abroad. This may be done as a way to boost the producing nation's gross output, or in exchange for more desired products or services. China has been the world's largest exporter of goods since 2009. Official estimates suggest Chinese exports amounted to $1.904 trillion in 2013. This represents a significant reversal of policies in place for much of that nation’s history, when a more protectionist stance was taken in trading policies. The EU ranks second in exports, followed by the United States, Germany and Japan.
USTR Extends Section 301 Tariff Exclusions on Chinese Imports Until 2026
The Office of the United States Trade Representative has extended tariff exclusions for 178 products imported from China. The announcement,… Read More
Container Shipping Prices Fall After Holidays, but Red Sea Risks Still Worry Industry
Global container freight rates have slipped for the first time in a month, signaling the start of the traditional post-holiday… Read More
Global Shipping Backs IMO Leadership Amid Carbon Pricing Delay
The world’s leading shipbuilders, shipowners, and classification societies have reaffirmed their commitment to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as the… Read More
Tariff Turmoil Spurs Early Import Rush as U.S. Buyers Race to Beat Trade Uncertainty
A wave of tariff anxiety has driven U.S. importers to bring in next spring’s merchandise months ahead of schedule, with… Read More
The NRI Reckoning: How U.S. Import Reforms Are Reshaping Cross-Border E-Commerce
The Global Entry with Thomas Taggart — A bi-weekly column on navigating global trade, ecommerce, and compliance in a changing… Read More
China’s Port Fee Move Barely Ripples U.S. Shipping Market
China’s latest port fee expansion targeting U.S.-linked vessels has had a far smaller impact than anticipated, according to a new… Read More
How to Offer 24/7 Export Support Without Night Shifts
Export businesses often face the challenge of offering 24/7 support to a global audience. But meeting this demand doesn’t have… Read More
Greece Backs Away from Global Maritime Carbon Tax Amid U.S. Opposition and Industry Pushback
Greece, one of the world’s top maritime powers, is set to abstain from a key vote on a global carbon… Read More
China’s Export Surge Amid Trade Wars Signals Global Trade Shift
Six months into President Donald Trump’s renewed trade wars, partial results indicate the policy may be accelerating a global shift… Read More
China Intensifies Checks on U.S. Chip Imports
Chinese customs officials have been dispatched to key ports to conduct strict checks on semiconductor shipments, according to a report… Read More
Trends in Export-Ready Packaging: Meeting Global Trade Standards in 2025
Exporters in 2025 face a packaging landscape shaped by rapidly evolving regulations, tariff shifts, and rising buyer demands for sustainability… Read More
Trade Compliance in 2025: What Global Exporters Need to Know
In an increasingly interconnected world, global trade continues to grow, but so do the regulations that govern it. For exporters,… Read More
1 2 3 … 236 Next »
