importation

Everyday

1. Bringing goods into a country from another country to sell or use. tree →
2. Something that has been brought in from somewhere else, such as a plant, animal or custom. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and history lessons, importation of tea, spices, cotton or grain shows trade between countries; some importations, like rabbits in Australia or cane toads, caused big problems. Laws control the importation of animals, plants and weapons. Phrases: importation of goods, ban the importation, an importation from abroad.

Examples

• The importation of tea from China made it popular in Britain. tree →
• Australia has strict rules on the importation of fruit and plants. tree →
• The rabbit was an importation that spread across Australia. tree →
• The government banned the importation of ivory. tree →
• Halloween costumes became popular partly as an importation from America. tree →
• Importation costs make foreign goods more expensive. tree →
• The existence of the tale in India renders it likely enough that it is not indigenous to the British Isles, but an Oriental importation. tree →

Note

Mostly formal; everyday speech uses «importing» or «imports». Verb «import»; opposite «exportation», «export». In maths and economics: imports are goods coming in, exports are goods going out.