'export-friendly' originates from English, specifically combining the word 'export' and the adjective 'friendly'. 'export' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'exportare', where 'ex-' meant 'out' and 'portare' meant 'to carry'; 'friendly' originates from Old English 'frēondlīc', from 'frēond' meaning 'friend' and the adjectival suffix '-līc'.

'export' passed into English via Old French (e.g. 'exporter') and Middle English (e.g. 'exporten') from Latin 'exportare'; 'friendly' evolved from Old English 'frēondlīc' to Middle English 'frendliche' and then to modern 'friendly'. The compound 'export-friendly' is a modern English formation combining these elements.

Initially, the elements meant 'to carry out' (export) and 'characterized by friendship' (friendly); over time the compound came to mean 'suitable or adapted for export' in modern usage.