In 1917 the imports into Venezuela from the United States amounted to 70% of her total imports. For the same year, Great Britain's share of import trade was 16% and all others 14%. The same for 1918 follow:[25]
| United States | 60% |
| Great Britain | 30% |
| Others | 10% |
[25] Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, "Venezuela."
In 1917 the exports from Venezuela were apportioned as follows:
| United States | 55% |
| Great Britain | 11% |
| Others | 34% |
The same for 1918 follow:
| United States | 45% |
| Great Britain | 17% |
| Others | 38% |
Incoming shipments by parcel post for 1917 amounted to Bs. 3,837,916 ($740,719.00), the principal articles coming by this method being drugs, medicines, jewelry, watches, hats, cotton goods, silks and rubber manufactured goods.
| Source | Year 1917 | Year 1918 | 1919 |
|---|---|---|---|
| U. S. | $350,339 | $292,423 | (not available) |
| France | 228,559 | 56,648 | |
| Italy | 76,127 | 59,923 | |
| United Kingdom | 61,626 | 94,258 | |
| Spain | 19,570 | 3,595 | |
| Others | 4,498 | 20,100 | |
| Total 1917 | $740,719 | $524,947 | |
| Total 1918 | 524,947 | ||
| Decrease | $215,772 |
Although the foreign trade of Venezuela actually decreased during the war, the country was indirectly benefited by the turning of the energy of the nation to the development of natural resources, which, in turn, must mean in due course an increased surplus of production for export. Furthermore, the shortage of shipping during the war necessitated the use of existing bottoms to the fullest extent with a consequent effort towards the improvement of terminal facilities and an increase in the speed of loading and unloading cargo carriers. As a result of this feverish war activity, a number of Venezuelan ports now possess modern equipment for speedy handling of cargo and with the products of the country moving seawards in increasing quantities, Venezuela's harbors should be attractive ports of call for tramp steamers and conducive to the establishment of other routes of liner traffic.