We investigate surface-related transport properties of high-temperatur
e superconductors. We find the mean vortex velocity under applied tran
sport current determined by the activation energies for vortex penetra
tion and exit through the Bean-Livingston barrier. We determine the cu
rrent distribution between the surfaces of superconductor and the fiel
d and current dependencies of the transport activation energies. For a
three-dimensional superconductor the transport activation energy, U-s
(3D), is found to decrease with the external field, H, and transport c
urrent, J, as U(s)(3D)proportional to H--1/2 and U(s)(3D)proportional
to J(-1/2), respectively. In the quasi-two-dimensional compounds, U-s(
2D) decays logarithmically with field and current. The interplay betwe
en the surface and the bulk contributions to the transport properties,
such as current-voltage characteristics, is discussed.