From Longman Business Dictionaryimport licenceˈimport ˌlicence British English, import license American English [countable]COMMERCECOMMERCE a government document needed before importing certain types of goods. Import licences can be used, for example, to limit imports if there is a BALANCE OF PAYMENTS DEFICIT, or to stop trade in rare plants and animalsSYNIMPORT PERMITThe duty on cars was 65%, and importers also had to get an import license, which was almost never granted. → licence
