Trade ministers from 22 economies agreed this week to simplify customs procedures for small and medium-sized businesses, in a deal officials say could make it easier for independent brands and family firms to sell abroad. The agreement was finalized after two days of talks at an international trade center in Washington.

Small businesses often face the same complex paperwork as large corporations, but without dedicated compliance teams. A recent study found that customs delays and forms can add up to 15 percent to the cost of exporting small shipments.

What Changes

Under the agreement, participating countries will introduce a single digital customs form for shipments under a set value, recognize each other’s electronic certificates and create online help desks for small exporters. Countries will also publish average clearance times so businesses can plan more accurately.

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“A small furniture maker in Ohio should not need a law degree to sell a chair in another country,” says trade official Daniel Reyes, who helped negotiate the deal. “This makes the process simpler, faster and more predictable.”

The agreement also addresses returns and small parcels, which have become more common with the growth of online shopping. Participating countries will simplify procedures for returning goods to the original seller, a process that is currently confusing and costly for many small retailers. Officials say clearer rules could encourage more consumers to buy from small foreign businesses. “Buyers want to know that if something does not fit, they can send it back easily,” Reyes says. The agreement also creates a working group to study how customs procedures can adapt to new technologies, including digital tracking and electronic payment systems.

Reactions From Business Owners

Small business groups welcomed the agreement. “Many of our members gave up on exporting because the paperwork was overwhelming,” says Karen Liu of the National Small Exporters Association. “This could open new markets for thousands of firms.”

Implementation will take time, with full adoption expected within three years. Some economists cautioned that benefits depend on how quickly countries upgrade their customs software. Still, the deal represents a rare area of broad agreement in international trade, and ministers say they plan to expand it to additional economies next year.

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