Most countries do not have a zero visible balance: they usually run a surplus or a deficit.

The report recommended beefing up forces to provide "a credible and visible balance to Iraq's local power."

In aggregate, the World often appears to have a negative visible balance with itself; i.e. imports of goods appear to exceed exports.

The visible balance is affected by changes in the volumes of imports and exports, and also by changes in the terms of trade.

The visible balance is that part of the balance of trade figures that refers to international trade in physical goods, but not trade in services; it thus contrasts with the invisible balance.