Internet Association Questions USTR's Intent to Lower de Minimis for NAFTA Region

The Internet Association criticized the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for seeking to raise de minimis levels on shipments from its neighbors as part of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (see 1901300009). "A consistent, high de minimis threshold benefits the entire American e-commerce system, including thousands of small businesses that use the internet to export and import," the group said in a statement Jan. 30. "USTR’s proposed provision in the implementing legislation would force small businesses to navigate a complicated, confusing net of customs rules.” Businesses have complained that even the concessions won in the text of the new NAFTA are complicated and confusing, because Mexico and Canada have different de minimis levels for sales taxes and for customs duties.