007 faces villains who threaten the safety of the planet. Sometimes, to infiltrate an enemy's organization or to simply glean information, Mr. Bond resorts to his special cover as an employee of Universal Exports.

Live and Let Die, the second James Bond novel. In that instance, the fake corporation was called "Universal Export." However, by Fleming's 11th Bond novel, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 007 notes that the Universal Exports cover was defunct after his cover had been blown too often.

What Is Universal Exports In James Bond Movies?

Universal Exports Is Part Of 007's Cover Identity

Universal Exports is the fictional company James Bond claims to be employed by when he's in the field. It's a front for the British Secret Service, with agents often calling in to speak to "the managing director," the cover name for M. The inaugural 007 movie, 1962's Dr, No, was the first instance James Bond (Sean Connery) used the Universal Exports cover on-screen. Universal Exports' last mention was in 2008's Quantum of Solace, the second Daniel Craig James Bond movie.

Sean Connery James bond Dr No never say never again
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James Bond usually uses his own name when claiming to be employed by Universal Exports. However, in Quantum of Solace, Bond's Universal Exports business card identifies him as "R. Sterling." This is a reference to Robert Sterling, a cover identity James Bond (Roger Moore) used in Egypt in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me. Other James Bond movies that name-drop Universal Exports are On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), For Your Eyes Only (1981), The Living Daylights (1987), License To Kill (1989), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002).

Why James Bond Has A Cover Identity When He’s A Famous Spy

007 Is Supposed To Be A Secret Agent

James Bond Actors

How famous James Bond is, and his need for his Universal Exports cover identity, ebbs and flows in the 007 movies. As the Bond films progress, they acknowledge that 007 is a world renowned British Secret Service agent. James Bond is well known in the intelligence community, and by enemy organizations like Spectre. However, most people 007 interacts with don't know he's a spy, and the Universal Exports cover gets Bond into various doors all over the world.

Universal Exports enables 007 to maintain his lifestyle as a jet-setter.

Universal Exports is apparently well-known as some sort of British trading conglomerate in the James Bond movies, and 007's alias tends to be airtight. Universal Exports enables 007 to maintain his lifestyle as a jet-setter who drinks well, stays at the finest hotels, and romances the most beautiful women. Usually, when James Bond's Universal Exports cover is blown, it's because his enemies already know 007 is coming for them.