Managing Director of eBay Canada Andrea Stairs joined the host of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “The House” this weekend to discuss the issue of Canada’s exceptionally low de minimis. De minimis is the threshold below which low-value shipments can enter Canada exempt from burdensome customs processes, duties and taxes. The de minimis threshold impacts how Canadian small businesses can accept retail returns or source inventory. Canada’s threshold is currently C$20  – a level that was originally set in the early 1980’s. The United States, by comparison, has recently updated its threshold to $800 USD. 

As Andrea discussed with host Chris Hall, Canada’s de minimis threshold is the lowest in the industrialized world and needs to be reviewed by the Canadian government. “It’s a matter of fairness for Canadian consumers and tax payers”, said Andrea, as well as a matter of “leveling the playing field for Canadian small business.” While this issue may not be top of mind for Canadian legislators, it’s most definitely an issue for Canadian consumers on a daily basis as they try to participate in the global economy. Click here to listen to the full interview, which begins at the 23:00 minute mark.

As always, eBay will continue to push for legislation that helps our buyers and sellers around the world.