Trade times, importing and exporting: firm-level evidence

Abstract

This article uses data on 11 industries in 85 developing countries to show that trade times matter for import and export performance at the firm level. Firms import more intermediate inputs if import licensing times are shorter. They export more of their production if border clearance times are shorter, but tend to use third-party distributors more if clearance times are longer. This is the first time that imports and indirect exports have been considered in the firm-level literature on trade facilitation.

Keywords:

• import time
• export time
• trade facilitation
• developing countries

JEL Classification:

• F13
• F63
• O24