Looming end of U.S. ‘de minimis’ tariff exemption ‘catastrophic’ for B.C. business

The looming end to a key U.S. tariff exemption has B.C. businesses that rely heavily on small exports fearful for the future.

“It’s catastrophic for us, really catastrophic,” said Marion Kao, owner of Korriko Pet Supply, a Langley-based business that makes harnesses and other products for small dogs.

Kao estimates as much as 60 per cent of her business comes from U.S. customers.

On Aug. 29, selling to them could become much more difficult.

That’s when the U.S. is slated to eliminate what is known as the “de minimis exemptions ,” a provision in U.S. law that allows imports valued at $800 or less to be eligible for duty-free treatment and exemption from formal entry requirements.

The exemption makes those lower-value imports both cheaper and easier because they involve minimal paperwo