- Import cover is calculated as the total value of international reserves divided by the average monthly value of imports. - It indicates how many months a country can continue to pay for imports if its sources of foreign exchange earnings (like exports, remittances, capital inflows) were to cease. - A higher import cover indicates a stronger external position and greater resilience to external shocks. A common benchmark is 3-4 months of import cover, considered adequate by many international financial institutions.