Import vs. Importance — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 5, 2024
"Import" refers to the act of bringing goods or services into a country from abroad, while "importance" denotes the state or fact of being of great significance or value.
Difference Between Import and Importance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Import involves the transportation of goods or services across international borders, enhancing a country's market with foreign products, contributing to the economy, and sometimes fulfilling the lack of domestic resources. On the other hand, importance is an abstract concept that assesses the value, significance, or impact of an object, idea, or action, emphasizing its necessity or influence in a specific context or overall.
While imports can directly affect a country's economy, influencing trade balances, job markets, and consumer choices, the concept of importance is applied more broadly across various domains, including personal values, priorities, and societal norms, without being confined to economic transactions. For example, the import of oil is crucial for countries lacking this natural resource, highlighting its economic importance, yet the importance of sustainable energy sources is recognized globally, affecting policies and innovations.
Imports are regulated by governmental policies, tariffs, and international trade agreements, reflecting a country's economic strategy and global partnerships. Meanwhile, determining the importance of an issue or item often involves subjective judgment, cultural values, or scientific assessment, influencing individual behavior, policy-making, and societal trends.
The success of import activities can be measured by economic indicators such as trade deficits or surpluses and their impact on GDP growth. In contrast, the assessment of importance is more nuanced, relying on qualitative evaluations or the perceived impact on well-being, progress, or ethical standards.
The relationship between import and importance can intersect when the imports of certain goods or services are deemed of high importance for a country's development, security, or health. Conversely, the importance of developing domestic capabilities to reduce dependency on imports highlights strategic planning and long-term societal goals.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Bringing goods/services into a country
State of being significant or valuable
Domain
Primarily economic
Broad, including personal, societal, economic
Measurement
Trade balances, economic impact
Subjective assessment, impact on well-being
Regulation
Government policies, tariffs
Determined by cultural values, priorities
Relationship with Economy
Direct, affects trade and economy
Indirect, can influence economic policies
Examples
Import of technology, food products
Importance of education, health
Compare with Definitions
Import
The act of bringing goods or services from abroad.
The import of electronics has surged this year.
Importance
The quality of being significant or valuable.
The importance of clean water is universally acknowledged.
Import
Contributes to a country's economy and consumer choice.
Import of fine wines enriches the local market's diversity.
Importance
Can be subjective and vary across cultures.
Societies vary in the importance they place on individualism versus collectivism.
Import
Regulated through tariffs and trade agreements.
New import tariffs were imposed to protect domestic manufacturing.
Importance
Determines priorities and influences decisions.
The government emphasized the importance of healthcare reform.
Import
Can influence trade balances and economic strategies.
Efforts to increase the import of renewable energy technologies are growing.
Importance
Reflects ethical standards and progress.
The importance of ethical AI development is a growing concern.
Import
Essential for acquiring resources not available domestically.
Island nations often rely on the import of freshwater.
Importance
Influences policy-making and societal trends.
Environmental sustainability has gained importance globally.
Import
To betoken or indicate
A high inflation rate importing hard times for the consumer.
Importance
The quality or condition of being important; significance.
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.
Importance
Personal status; standing
People of great importance.
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.
Importance
(Obsolete) Meaning; import.
Import
(Computers) To receive (data) into one program from another.
Importance
(Obsolete) Importunity.
Import
To carry or hold the meaning of; signify
Had trouble understanding what the strange word imported.
Importance
The quality or condition of being important or worthy of note.
Import
To express or make known
The news imported by their letter.
Importance
Significance or prominence.
Import
Something imported
Levied a tax on imports from overseas.
Importance
Personal status or standing.
Import
The act or occupation of importing goods or materials.
Importance
Something of importance.
Import
Meaning; signification
The import of his statement is ambiguous.
Importance
The quality or state of being important; consequence; weight; moment; significance.
Thy own importance know,Nor bound thy narrow views to things below.
Import
Importance; significance
A legal decision of far-reaching import.
Importance
Subject; matter.
Upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature.
Import
(countable) Something brought in from an exterior source, especially for sale or trade.
Importance
Import; meaning; significance.
The wisest beholder could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow.
Import
(uncountable) The practice of importing.
Importance
Importunity; solicitation.
At our importance hither is he come.
Import
(uncountable) Significance, importance.
It was a matter of great import.
Importance
The quality of being important and worthy of note;
The importance of a well-balanced diet
Import
A foreigner playing in a sports league.
Importance
A prominent status;
A person of importance
Import
(transitive) To bring (something) in from a foreign country, especially for sale or trade.
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?
Import
(intransitive) To be important; to be significant; to be of consequence.
Import
(transitive) To be of importance to (someone or something).
Import
(transitive) To be incumbent on (someone to do something).
Import
(transitive) To be important or crucial to (that something happen).
Import
(transitive) To mean, signify.
Import
To express, to imply.
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.
Import
To carry or include, as meaning or intention; to imply; to signify.
Every petition . . . doth . . . always import a multitude of speakers together.
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!
Common Curiosities
What does "import" mean in international trade?
In international trade, import refers to the acquisition of goods or services from foreign countries into one's own country.
How do government policies affect imports?
Government policies, through tariffs and regulations, directly influence the volume and types of imports, aiming to balance trade and protect domestic industries.
How does culture influence the perception of importance?
Cultural values and norms shape what is considered important, influencing societal priorities and individual behaviors.
How do imports contribute to a country's economy?
Imports contribute by providing consumers with a wider variety of goods, enabling access to essential resources, and stimulating competition and innovation.
Why are strategic imports crucial for national security?
Strategic imports, like defense technology or energy resources, are crucial for maintaining a country's sovereignty and security.
How can the importance of an environmental issue be communicated to the public?
Through education, media campaigns, and showcasing the direct impact on communities, the importance of environmental issues can be effectively communicated.
How does the importance of an item or issue get determined?
The importance of an item or issue is often determined by its perceived value, impact, societal norms, or personal priorities.
Can the import of certain goods reflect their importance?
Yes, the import of certain essential goods, like medical supplies, reflects their importance for a country's health and well-being.
What makes an issue of global importance?
Issues gain global importance when they affect the well-being, security, or environmental sustainability of the international community.
Why is the importance of sustainability growing?
The importance of sustainability is growing due to increasing awareness of environmental challenges, ethical considerations, and the long-term well-being of the planet.
Can a country be self-sufficient without imports?
While self-sufficiency is an aim for many countries, globalization and specific domestic resource limitations make some level of imports necessary for most nations.
How do personal values affect one's sense of importance?
Personal values shape priorities and decision-making, influencing what individuals consider important in life.
What role does scientific assessment play in determining importance?
Scientific assessment provides evidence-based insights into the significance of issues, guiding policy, and innovation in response to challenges like health and climate change.
Is the import of technology always beneficial?
While technology imports can stimulate innovation and growth, they can also lead to dependency and impact domestic industries.
What determines the balance between import and domestic production?
Economic strategies, resource availability, and trade policies determine the balance, aiming for economic growth, job creation, and sustainability.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited 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.
