48 Examples of International Business

John Spacey, August 19, 2021

International business is trade in goods and services that flows over borders. This is traditionally associated with large multinationals that distribute their products on a global basis. However, a large number of small firms engage in import/export and ecommerce that also flows over borders. Likewise, there is broad participation in media and other digital services that are relatively easy to distribute globally. The following are common examples of international business.

Advertising	Airlines
Automotive	Candy
Chemicals	Commercial Banking
Computing Infrastructure	Consulting
Consumer Electronics	Ecommerce
Energy	Entertainment
Events (e.g. Concerts)	Fashion
Fast Moving Consumer Goods	Films
Food	Footwear
Hospitality	Hotels
IT Platforms	IT Services
Import / Export	Industrial Equipment
Investment Banking	Licensing
Logistics	Luxury Goods
Manufacturing Services	Materials
Media	Mobile Apps
Music	Pharmaceuticals
Publishing	Restaurants
Retail	Retail Banking
Robotics	Social Media
Software	Space & Satellites
Sporting Equipment	Sports
Sportswear	Tourism
Transportation	Video Games

Some businesses have natural barriers to international competition. For example, construction benefits from knowledge of local culture, standards, practices and preferences.

Trade barriers such as tariffs and subsidies reduce international competition in some industries. For example, a nation that imposes tariffs on imported food to promote local food security.

A business can be considered international if foreign tourists are a large portion of revenue. In this case, the product or service may be stationary but the customers themselves cross borders.