This week, Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Low Value Shipment Regulatory Modernization Act of 2013, which improves the ability of Internet-enabled small businesses to serve customers across the globe.  Similar legislation was introduced by Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL-18), Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY-14), and Congressman Bill Owens (D-NY-21).

The Low Value Shipment Regulatory Modernization Act of 2013 reaffirms Congress' commitment to smaller-scale traders.  The legislation would increase the threshold below which items coming into the United States are relieved of customs duty and paperwork, thereby easing the pain-points U.S. small businesses face when they accept international retail returns and source low-value items internationally.  The legislation also urges U.S. trade negotiators to negotiate increased de minimis thresholds in other countries, reaffirming Congress’ commitment to further lowering barriers to trade.

The Internet has empowered small and micro-small businesses across the globe to grow and succeed by giving them access to a global marketplace.  According to a report entitled Enabling Traders to Enter and Grow on the Global Stage, eBay Inc. found that an astonishing 97% of U.S. commercial sellers on eBay export, and 81% of those commercial sellers export to five or more foreign countries. 

Brian Bieron, eBay Inc.’s Senior Director of Global Public Policy, had this to say about the bills:

"Any business that uses the Internet, even very small businesses, can become a global business.  The Thune-Wyden bill and Schock-Crowley-Owens bill to increase the de minimus tariff threshold is a concrete step by the U.S. to reduce barriers to small business commerce, and should be a model for other countries to follow."

The eBay Inc. Government Relations team is working to support legislation like this to improve trade facilitation legislation like the Low Value Shipment Regulatory Modernization Act of 2013.  We are actively working in Congress to improve the ability of eBay and PayPal merchants to reach customers around the world and for buyers to get the goods they want regardless of where the seller or merchant is located.