What’s the minimum to argue about?
By Shawna Karajic, Export Solutions Inc. In the world of international shipping and e-commerce, the term “Section 321” means a lot, especially to those who import goods into the United States. Under this provision of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, goods valued at $800 or less can enter the country duty-free and without formal entry requirements. However, the process isn’t always smooth, and sometimes, goods are singled out for further inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). So why has the recent debate over de minimis cargo raged so fiercely? Here’s what you need to know: Article 321 Background: Section 321 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930 provides for de minimis or low value imports. This allows goods below a certain retail value to enter the U.S. unofficially, duty free and with fast customs clearance. If you’ve been in the business for a while, you may remember that this value was once capped at $200.…