Nationwide Surplus co-owner and eBay top-seller Chris Ko encouraged lawmakers and federal regulators to reduce trade barriers facing small businesses in testimony he recently submitted to the International Trade Commission.
Originally founded in 2007 in Mesa, Arizona, Ko's company specializes in selling new and used computer components and electronics, sourcing much of its inventory from electronics recycling centers. Today, the company is experiencing strong annual growth and now operates out of a 32,000 square foot warehouse with twenty full-time employees. Ko has also become a strong advocate for small internet retailers. "The Internet is especially important for us because it helps us connect our unique inventory and high-quality service with a broader base of customers that have unique needs, including international customers," Ko told the commission.
One of the key hurdles facing small businesses that Ko emphasized in his testimony was customs barriers. "The tariff on imports into E.U. nations is sometimes prohibitive to doing business. While this is especially relevant for used electronics, customs costs for all segments of goods affect buyers' purchasing mindset even when the product is competitively priced," Ko wrote. "In some cases, tariff costs double the price of items being sold to the E.U, and that's before shipping." He recommended reducing customs costs, especially for retail returns.
In addition, Ko said other impediments to reaching new markets around the world include poor postal systems. "Unfortunately, many of the postal services in E.U. nations are inconsistent and unreliable with international deliveries," Ko told the Commission. "Delays can range from six to eight weeks, and often items get lost ... The ability to track my packages would provide some relief from this problem ..."
Ko is one of many eBay retailers committed to helping U.S. policymakers address these issues and provide more opportunities for small business retailers like Nationwide Surplus to reach new markets around the world.