An import is a good or service brought into a country.

Some imports require government agency approval or an import license to bring them into the U.S. For example: foods, cosmetics, automobiles, agricultural products, military items, live animals, and pharmaceuticals. 

A temporary import means bringing a good into a country for a period of time before it will be returned to the country from which it was shipped. Temporary imports may require a special clearance through Customs with specific documents on the entry and the departure.