E-commerce
E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services online. Government has a role in measuring it, taxing it, protecting buyers, and delivering the packages it creates. Agencies such as the Commerce Department, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Postal Service are involved.
People usually ask how online sales are tracked in official statistics, what rules protect online shoppers, and how counterfeit and restricted goods are handled. They also ask how shipping works for online orders and how taxes apply across state lines.
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All Articles on E-commerce
How the Commerce Department Fights the $4.5 Trillion Counterfeit Goods Market
The global trade in counterfeit goods has become a criminal enterprise worth between $1.7 trillion and $4.5 trillion annually. This illicit market exceeds drug…
How the Government Tracks America’s Digital Economy
The U.S. economy is undergoing a transformation. Less and less of what we produce, buy, and sell is purely physical. More and more of…
About USPS Tracking Numbers
In today's world of online shopping and shipping, monitoring your packages is essential. USPS tracking numbers provide visibility and reassurance throughout the shipping process.…
Can You Ship Alcohol via USPS? Rules & Alternatives
The desire to share or acquire alcoholic beverages through shipping services is common—whether sending a gift to a loved one or fulfilling orders for…