| E-Merchants Trade Council, Inc.Simplifying Global E-commerce |
Our E-commerce Advocacy - The Case for Simplification
INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY DIGITAL MORATORIUM EXPIRES While the term “electronic transmissions” is not defined, it is commonly held to encompass anything from software, emails, and text messages to digital music, movies and videogames. The moratorium is not set in stone: every two years governments agree to extend the moratorium at the biennial WTO Ministerial Conference. The Digital Moratorium expires in February 2024. WTO Digital Discipline for Data Flows We wish to express our profound concern and disappointment that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has withdrawn its support for proposed World Trade Organization (WTO) disciplines that protect cross-border data flows. | LATIN AMERICA ADVOCACY Brazil has 210 million consumers with a projected e-commerce growth of 54% by 2023. Mexico is expected to expand by 57%, and Argentina by 104%. Merchants outside of these countries generally need to work with a processing partner for payments. The Mexico de minimus rule for tax is currently USD50 and USD117 for duties. In Mexico, importers of textiles, apparel and footwear must be registered with the Padron. The Brazil Data Protection Authority will be activated in November 2021. Its authority includes administrative sanctions, international transfers and data subject privacy for e-commerce transactions. | AFRICA-MIDDLE EAST ADVOCACY Africa Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA is a major initiative across Africa. EMTC supports our colleagues and affiliates who champion the simplification of cross border trade including e-commerce. We support capacity building to sustain growth. |
NORTH AMERICA ADVOCACY 21st Century Customs Framework
| EUROPE ADVOCACY The Electronic Commerce Directive The EU Commission has announced rules to end online discrimination on the basis of nationality or place of residence. Providers must abide by the rules in the country in which they are established. It is also introducing rules to ensure that buyers are not re-routed to in country websites when searching for products. GDPR If you distribute product via your website you must comply with European data protection policies. | ASIA PACIFIC ADVOCACY EMTC proposes that the Biden Administration and Congress consider that an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) combine the best elements of trade liberalization and national security. EMTC envisions an economic and security agreement that prioritizes:
|
Industry Advisory Council Operating models, sectoral specific issues, route to market issues including title transfers, international expansion benefits and risks; use of agents or distributors; reporting and liability requirements for platforms. Submit questions to Industry@emtc.org Industry News and Projects | Operations Advisory Council Practical issues arising through the transportation, logistics and import/export process such as export formalities and documentation, special documentation, refused shipments; developing landed costs; INCOTERMS. Submit questions to Operations@emtc.org Operations News and Projects |
Country Advisory Council Regulatory, technical or legal issues relating to a particular country including market entrance requirements, export controls, sourcing; direct/indirect tax issues; regulatory and licensing requirements; consumer protection; trade agreement opportunities; origin marking; supranational organizations involved in standards setting (WCO, WTO, UN, OECD). Submit questions to Country@emtc.org Country News and Projects | Technology Advisory Council Trade, policy, legal and compliance issues related to automation; AI and other new technology use, benefits & risks; automation to improve efficiency and ROI factors. Submit questions to Technology@emtc.org Technology News and Projects |