re-export: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, technical, business, legal
Quick answer
What does “re-export” mean?
To export (goods) again after they have been imported.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To export (goods) again after they have been imported.
The process of sending previously imported goods to another country, often after storage, minor processing, or as part of a trade transaction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The hyphenated form is preferred in formal writing in both variants.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both. Can imply strategic trade routing or tax/regulation avoidance in certain contexts.
Frequency
More frequent in UK/EU contexts due to intra-Union trade and VAT rules. Common in US in contexts like free trade zones and entrepôt trade.
Grammar
How to Use “re-export” in a Sentence
[Country/Company] re-exports [goods] to [destination][Goods] are re-exported from [country]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “re-export” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The UK often re-exports refined fuel to European neighbours.
- They re-exported the embargoed goods via a third country.
American English
- The firm imports spices to re-export to Canada.
- Re-exporting controlled technology requires federal approval.
adjective
British English
- The re-export market is highly volatile.
- They applied for a re-export certificate.
American English
- The re-export value was recorded separately.
- We need to check the re-export regulations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company imports components to assemble and re-export finished products.
Academic
The study analysed the re-export patterns of petroleum products through the port.
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Goods under bond may be re-exported without paying import duties.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “re-export”
- Omitting the hyphen can cause momentary misreading as 'reexport'.
- Using it for goods produced domestically (just 'export').
- Confusing tense: 'The goods were re-exported' (correct) vs. 'The goods have been re-exported yesterday' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standard to write it with a hyphen (re-export) to clarify the prefix, especially in formal and technical writing.
The noun is also 're-export' (e.g., 'The re-export of goods').
Not necessarily. The goods can be re-exported in the same state, after storage, or after minor processing like repackaging.
It is a specialist term common in international trade, logistics, economics, and customs law, but not in everyday conversation.
To export (goods) again after they have been imported.
Re-export is usually formal, technical, business, legal in register.
Re-export: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːɪkˈspɔːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriɪkˈspɔːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
RE-EXPORT = RE (again) + EXPORT (send out). Think of a product making a return trip out of the country.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRADE IS A JOURNEY (goods journey in, then journey out again).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary condition for an activity to be classed as 're-export'?