Simply Trade

Host: Pete Mento and Cindy AllenGuest(s): N/APublished: October 16, 2026Length: ~43 min.Presented by: Global Training Center Summary Recorded live at VMA26 in Norfolk, Pete Mento and Cindy Allen bring the Pete and Cindy Show to the conference stage for a candid, no-spin conversation about tariffs, refunds, enforcement, and what importers should do next. They unpack Sections 301, 232, 122, and 338 as tools of leverage, revenue, national security, and industrial policy—and question whether the current tariff strategy is producing the promised reshoring results. VMA26 brought shipping, port, logistics, and trade leaders together under the theme “Anchored: Grounded in Strategy. Ready for What’s Next.” Va Maritime The discussion turns practical as Pete and Cindy examine IEEPA refunds following the Supreme Court’s 2026 ruling, ACH setup, liquidation risk, and the need to involve trade counsel before money is left on the table. Then comes the warning: CBP, DOJ, BIS, and other agencies are using better data, deeper supply-chain visibility, and faster analytics in an increasingly enforcement-first environment. Supreme Court They also explore CBP’s advanced-data proposals, including foreign export documentation and supplier information that could reshape procurement, contracts, forwarding, and entry processes. Their advice is direct: engage suppliers now, strengthen cooperation clauses, evaluate service providers for compliance—not just price—and invest in people, systems, and lawful duty-mitigation tools. The line that captures the entire session: hope is not a strategy. Federal Register This Week in Trade • The IEEPA tariff ruling and the ongoing duty-refund process• Sections 301, 232, 122, and 338 as tools of leverage, revenue, and national security• CBP’s proposed heightened import disclosures and foreign export-document requirements• Expanding compliance expectations for importers, brokers, forwarders, and carriers Main Topic / Discussion This live discussion connects tariff policy directly to operational execution. Pete and Cindy argue that tariffs, refunds, data collection, supply-chain relationships, and enforcement can no longer be managed as separate issues. Tariffs as leverage The hosts examine how different tariff authorities are being used to influence negotiations, protect strategic industries, raise revenue, encourage domestic production, and reshape trade relationships with China, Canada, Mexico, and other partners. Refunds and lawful mitigation Pete and Cindy discuss the IEEPA refund process and the importance of reviewing affected entries, ACH information, liquidation status, and available legal options. They also highlight drawback, first sale, reconciliation, and foreign-trade zones as strategies companies should evaluate with qualified advisers. Enforcement powered by data The conversation explores how ACE data, supply-chain mapping, anomaly detection, and interagency coordination are increasing the government’s ability to identify discrepancies. The hosts warn that companies should expect faster, more targeted enforcement across both imports and exports. Advanced data and shared responsibility CBP’s ANPRM raises questions about foreign export declarations, invoices, classifications, values, certificates of origin, business identifiers, and earlier filing. Pete and Cindy explain why these proposals could affect procurement, supplier contracts, freight forwarding, carrier operations, and customs entry processes—not only the trade compliance department. The public comment period ends December 1, 2026. Federal Register Key Takeaways • Hope is not a strategy. Importers should model tariff exposure, prepare for continued enforcement, and build plans that do not depend on duties simply disappearing. • Review potentially eligible IEEPA entries, confirm ACH refund information, monitor liquidation status, and involve trade counsel when administrative or judicial action may be necessary. • Begin supplier outre

Host: Andy ShilesGuest(s): Grant Sernick, Third WavePublished: October 15, 2026Length: Approximately 37 minutesPresented by: Global Training Center Summary Trade compliance cannot stay in the back office when the risks reach the boardroom. In this episode of Simply Trade, Andy Shiles welcomes back Grant Sernick of Third Wave for a candid conversation about customs enforcement, increasingly complex entries, and the disconnect between compliance teams and senior leadership. Drawing on his experience and industry discussions, Grant shares why he believes importers need to rethink how they manage trade risk. Together, he and Andy explore the limits of manual entry reviews, the challenges of Chapter 99 tariff provisions, and why knowing the finished product may not be enough to understand the compliance risks across its supply chain. But this is not just a conversation about what can go wrong. The discussion turns to what companies can do: communicate risk clearly to executives, strengthen the data behind their filings, and use automated verification to help specialists focus on discrepancies that need their judgment. Grant also explains Third Wave’s approach to comparing expected entries with broker-filed data. For importers, trade professionals, and business leaders, this episode offers a practical starting point for a bigger question: does your company’s approach to trade compliance reflect the business risk you are actually managing? Main Topic / Discussion Andy and Grant examine why trade compliance deserves attention beyond the department responsible for customs paperwork. Grant describes an enforcement environment that he believes demands stronger oversight—not only of individual entries, but also of the materials, suppliers, and production processes behind imported goods. The conversation connects those concerns to executive decision-making, financial controls, and staffing. Andy challenges leaders to ask where their companies are vulnerable, while Grant explains how automated entry verification can help identify discrepancies between expected entries and broker submissions. Their emphasis is on using technology to direct professional expertise where it is needed, rather than relying on manual review alone. Key Takeaways • Make trade risk an executive conversation. Andy and Grant emphasize that leadership needs to understand the exposure before it can make informed decisions about resources, controls, and strategy. • Look beyond the finished product. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding raw materials, components, suppliers, and the parties involved throughout the supply chain. • Verify filings rather than assuming they are correct. Grant explains why comparing expected entries against broker-filed data can help identify both duty overpayments and underpayments. • Use automation to support expert judgment. The goal discussed is broader entry coverage and earlier discrepancy detection, allowing compliance professionals to focus on the issues that require their attention. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • Grant Sernick on LinkedIn — Connect with Grant and follow his trade commentary. • Third Wave / 3rdwave — The company discussed in the episode. • 3rdwave Entry Verification — Product information for the entry-verification capability discussed by Grant. 3rdwave.co Credits Host:Andy Shiles Guest(s):Grant Sernick - LinkedIn Producer:Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts• Spotify• YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade• Global Training Center• Trade Geeks Community Don't forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks! Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions?SimplyTrade@GlobalTrainingCenter.com

Host: Lalo SolorzanoGuest(s): Federico “Kiko” ZunigaPublished: October13, 2026Length: Approximately 22 minutesPresented by: Global Training Center Summary Your triennial report is due in February—but that does not mean you have until February to finish your continuing education. In Episode 2 of 90 Days Until 2027, Lalo Solorzano welcomes Federico “Kiko” Zuniga for a practical conversation about customs broker continuing education and the preparations that should already be underway. Kiko raises an important concern: some licensed brokers still do not realize this requirement affects them, particularly those working outside a traditional brokerage operation. The conversation goes beyond counting hours. Lalo and Kiko discuss finding qualifying education, using free and on-demand training, checking completion codes, and keeping the documentation behind the certification you make in your triennial report. They also explore why waiting until the last minute can turn a manageable task into an unnecessary scramble. For license holders who are no longer active in the industry, Kiko introduces voluntary suspension as an option worth understanding rather than simply letting requirements go unaddressed. This episode brings the series’ central idea into focus: do the work now so you are not starting the new year already behind. Review your credits, organize your records, and make sure two broker friends know what is coming, too. Main Topic / Discussion Completing continuing education and filing the triennial status report are two separate tasks—with different deadlines. Lalo and Kiko discuss the first continuing-education reporting cycle, the documentation needed to support completed training, and how to identify credit-eligible activities. They also address the misconception that the requirement concerns only brokers who actively file entries, highlighting licensed professionals working in importer and exporter compliance departments. Kiko’s practical advice is to start early, maintain organized records, and verify that training provides the appropriate completion information. The conversation also covers voluntary license suspension and closes with a community challenge: contact two broker friends and make sure continuing education is on their radar. Key Takeaways • January is the education deadline—not February. Required continuing education for the current cycle must be completed by January 31, 2027. The triennial status report is due February 28, 2027. Do not treat the reporting deadline as extra time to earn credits. GovDelivery • Plan your qualifying hours before the year-end rush. Kiko discusses the current cycle’s 20-hour requirement and the 36-hour standard for later full cycles. He points to free government webinars and qualifying on-demand training as ways to make progress without traveling to a conference. • Keep the evidence behind the checkbox. Save course details, completion codes, certificates when provided, and supporting records. Kiko also discusses transcript tracking for NEI designees. Completing training and being able to document it are both important. • Do not assume your job title makes you exempt. Kiko emphasizes that licensed brokers working in importer or exporter compliance should not dismiss the requirement simply because they are not filing entries. Review your license status and applicable requirements—and encourage colleagues to do the same. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • Federico “Kiko” Zuniga — LinkedIn • NCBFAA — Customs Broker Continuing Education & Triennial Requirements • NEI — Credit Tracking, Transcripts & Member Resources • CBP — Continuing Education Deadline & Triennial Reporting Reminder The 90 Days Until 2027 companion playbook is in development, with practical resources planned to grow alongside the series. Follow Simply Trade for release updates. Credits Host:Lalo Solorzano Guest(s):Federico “Kiko” Zuniga - LinkedIn Producer:Lalo Solorzano 📢

Host: Victoria SchneiderGuest(s): Brenda Cordova and Alyson HacheyPublished: October 12, 2026Length: 8 min.Presented by: Global Training Center Summary Keeping up with trade compliance takes more than knowing the rules. It also helps to know people who understand the challenges. In this special Simply Trade–ICPA collaboration, host Victoria Schneider welcomes Brenda Cordova and Alyson Hachey for a preview of the first-ever ICPA Mexico Conference. They share how conversations at MIC’s previous Mexico event helped spark the collaboration, with MIC becoming a founding partner, and what they hope this new gathering will mean for the trade compliance community. With English- and Spanish-language tracks and options to attend in person or virtually, the conference opens more ways to participate. Victoria highlights the USMCA joint review as one of the planned topics, while Brenda and Alyson emphasize the value of learning from professionals with different perspectives and experiences. But education is only part of the story. The guests also reflect on the friendships, shared experiences, and sense of belonging that keep them connected to ICPA. From professional learning to the excitement of experiencing Mexico City after Día de los Muertos, this episode offers a welcoming look at an event built around knowledge and connection—and a reminder that navigating trade does not have to be a solo effort. Main Topic / Discussion Victoria, Brenda, and Alyson preview the inaugural ICPA Mexico Conference, scheduled for November 3–5, 2026, at the Marquis Reforma Hotel in Mexico City. ICPA The discussion covers the collaboration behind the event, its focus on customs and trade education, and the opportunity to participate in English or Spanish, in person or virtually. The USMCA joint review is highlighted as a conference topic, while the conversation’s central message is about bringing professionals together to learn, exchange experiences, and build relationships that extend beyond the conference. Key Takeaways • A conversation can grow into something bigger. The conference collaboration began with discussions at MIC’s previous Mexico event about supporting the trade compliance community. • Different perspectives strengthen professional learning. The guests emphasize hearing from customs and trade experts who bring practical experience to the challenges facing importers, exporters, and other professionals. • There is more than one way to participate. Victoria highlights English and Spanish tracks, along with in-person and virtual attendance options. • The connections matter beyond the agenda. Peer relationships can become sources of support, shared knowledge, and lasting friendship, whether someone is new to trade compliance or a longtime practitioner. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center• ICPA Mexico Conference — Event Details and Registration• International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) Credits Host:Victoria Schneider Guest(s):Brenda Cordova - LinkedInAlyson Hachey - LinkedIn Producer:Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts• Spotify• YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade• Global Training Center• Trade Geeks Community Don't forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks! Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions?SimplyTrade@GlobalTrainingCenter.com

Host: Cindy AllenGuest(s): N/APublished: October 9, 2026Length: ~19 min.Presented by: Global Training Center Summary At a customs compliance conference, Cindy Allen heard a trade-fraud task force speaker describe a move toward a “zero-trust” enforcement environment. In this episode, she unpacks what that message could mean for importers: more data-driven scrutiny, more detailed questions, and a greater need to substantiate what appears on an entry. Using Taylor Swift’s “No Body, No Crime” as this week’s theme, Cindy explores the role of ACE data, AI-assisted supply-chain mapping, and interagency collaboration in the enforcement approach described by the speaker. Her central question is practical: can your business support its country-of-origin determinations, classifications, and manufacturing claims when customs asks for evidence? She also walks through the week’s tariff-refund developments, including CAPE 3 questions and a reported class-action designation, before turning to country-of-origin scrutiny and proposed changes for informal mail entries. Additional updates touch on global overcapacity, USMCA uncertainty, and the relationship between tariffs and consumer-goods inflation. For importers, brokers, and compliance teams, the episode connects policy headlines to the daily work of maintaining records, understanding suppliers, and responding thoughtfully to government requests. Cindy’s message: being confident in your compliance is not the same as being prepared to demonstrate it. This Week in Trade • Tariff refunds and litigation: Cindy discusses CAPE 3 filing questions, protest-related guidance, and a reported class-action designation. She highlights unresolved participation details, potential benefits for smaller importers, and the possibility of a government appeal. • Country of origin and overcapacity: Cindy reviews U.S. Trade Representative comments on manufacturing and origin determinations, increasingly detailed customs questionnaires, and G20 efforts to address overcapacity. • Proposed informal mail-entry changes: The Entry Type 13 discussion covers broker appointments, tighter data deadlines, proposed changes to the $250 trade-remedy threshold for informal entries, and final deliver-to-party information. • USMCA and tariff impacts: Cindy flags questions about USMCA’s future and discusses a report linking tariffs to consumer-goods inflation. Main Topic / Discussion Cindy’s main discussion centers on the “zero-trust” enforcement environment described by a trade-fraud task force speaker at an ACI customs compliance and trade-enforcement conference. She examines how ACE data, AI-assisted mapping, and cooperation across agencies can connect parties, products, and filing patterns. Her example: two importers use the same supplier for the same product but declare different tariff numbers. Cindy explains why that difference can attract scrutiny and how detailed CBP Forms 28 and 29 may help officials build a fuller picture of the goods, manufacturing processes, and parties involved. The practical question running through the discussion is whether a company can produce the evidence behind its trade decisions—not simply state that it is compliant. Key Takeaways • Be prepared to substantiate your declarations. Cindy challenges importers to consider whether their records support the classifications, origin determinations, and manufacturing information on which they rely. • Understand both the entities and the goods. Cindy distinguishes the supply chain—the entities moving goods—from the value chain—the goods moving among those entities. • Take detailed customs communications seriously. Cindy urges importers receiving extensive Forms 28 and 29 to seek experienced assistance and consult customs counsel when preparing responses. • Separate developments from final outcomes. Refund procedures, possible appeals, and proposed mail-entry changes involve unresolved questions. Cindy emphasizes understanding the details b

Host: Lalo SolorzanoGuest(s): Penny ChenPublished: October 8, 2026Length: Approximately 37 minutes; transcript ends at 37:16Presented by: Global Training Center Summary AI can help trade professionals work differently—but what separates a useful tool from a solution that actually delivers? In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo Solorzano sits down with Penny Chen to explore her founder journey and what it has taught her about customers, compliance, and the limits of general-purpose AI. Penny shares how her background in AI algorithm design and experience at Flexport led her into trade, then takes listeners inside the early startup days: a small apartment, a modest IKEA shopping list, and two technical founders learning to build and sell at the same time. She also explains why the business shifted from selling duty drawback software to providing a full service focused on customer outcomes. From there, the conversation turns to a question many trade teams are asking: where should AI fit into their work? Lalo and Penny discuss getting started with general-purpose tools, recognizing when specialized solutions are needed, and bringing scattered information together so professionals can focus on judgment rather than coordination. For trade practitioners and technology-minded leaders, this episode offers an approachable look at why learning the tools matters—and why domain knowledge still belongs at the center of the conversation. Main Topic / Discussion The central question is not simply whether AI can produce an answer, but whether it can support the work a trade team actually needs to get done. Penny connects her company’s move into full-service duty drawback with the importance of delivering customer outcomes. She and Lalo then explore the limits of general-purpose AI, the challenge of fragmented data, and the role of specialized tools. Looking ahead, Penny shares her vision of more connected workflows that leave professionals with more time for research, judgment, and business decisions. Throughout the discussion, one point keeps coming back: understanding the technology does not replace understanding the trade problem. Key Takeaways • Start with curiosity and hands-on practice. Penny encourages trade professionals to experiment with general-purpose AI while learning the fundamentals of how it works. • Recognize when a general-purpose tool is not enough. Complex trade workflows can require specialized systems, industry context, and information that a standalone conversation does not bring together. • Focus on outcomes, not software alone. Penny explains how customer needs drove the shift from selling duty drawback software to delivering a full-service offering. • Keep trade expertise at the center. Lalo and Penny’s experiences building software illustrate why subject-matter knowledge remains essential when using AI to develop and evaluate solutions. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • Connect with Penny Chen on LinkedIn — reach out about AI, trade compliance, and the educational sessions discussed in the episode. Credits Host:Lalo Solorzano Guest(s):Penny Chen - LinkedIn Producer:Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts• Spotify• YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade• Global Training Center• Trade Geeks Community Don't forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks! Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions?SimplyTrade@GlobalTrainingCenter.com

Host: Warrington EllacottGuest(s): Laura DawsonPublished: October 7, 2026Length: Approximately 21 minutesPresented by: Global Training Center Summary What happens when the political conversation about trade leaves the businesses doing the trading on the sidelines? In this special Canada edition of Simply Trade, host Warrington Ellacott welcomes Laura Dawson, Executive Director of the Future Borders Coalition, for a discussion about what Canada–U.S. trade uncertainty looks like beyond Ottawa and Washington. Future Borders Coalition Drawing on conversations with manufacturers, importers, and exporters, Laura explains why frustration extends well beyond tariffs. Shifting compliance requirements, rules of origin, classification questions, and delays in getting answers can make familiar business relationships harder to maintain. Warrington adds the Canadian importing perspective, including the challenges of navigating tariff remission processes. The conversation also explores a difficult balance: how Canada can build new trading opportunities without weakening the commercial relationships businesses already rely on. Rather than waiting for one political meeting or policy decision to solve everything, Laura makes the case for competitiveness, stronger infrastructure, and giving businesses room to operate. For trade professionals trying to keep goods moving while the policy landscape shifts, this episode offers perspective on protecting relationships, improving supply chain visibility, and finding reasons for cautious optimism. Main Topic / Discussion Warrington and Laura examine how political friction becomes operational friction for companies moving goods between Canada and the United States. Their discussion connects tariff uncertainty, compliance demands, and remission challenges with bigger questions about USMCA/CUSMA, diversification, and competitiveness. At the center is a practical question: How can governments strengthen businesses’ ability to compete without making established cross-border relationships harder to maintain? Laura argues for expanding commercial options, lowering the political temperature, and giving businesses breathing room—not expecting a single negotiation or international meeting to solve everything. Key Takeaways • Tariffs are only part of the burden. Laura highlights how changing compliance requirements, origin questions, classification issues, and slow answers compound uncertainty for businesses. • Diversification should expand options, not sacrifice existing relationships. The discussion emphasizes competitiveness and commercially viable opportunities while preserving valuable Canada–U.S. connections. • Cooperation still matters beyond national capitals. Warrington encourages continued engagement with provincial and state officials who understand the businesses and communities affected. • Resilience can build long-term capability. Greater supply chain visibility, adaptability, and investments in infrastructure give Laura reasons for cautious optimism—even without a quick return to the previous trading environment. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • Laura Dawson’s op-ed: “Cross-Border Traders Are Tired of Being an Afterthought” — The article discussed in this episode, examining business frustration with the costs and uncertainty surrounding Canada–U.S. trade. LinkedIn • Future Borders Coalition • IE Canada — Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters • IE Canada International Trade Summit — Event Details & Registration — Ottawa, November 17–19, 2026. I.E. CanadaSimply Trade listener offer: Non-members receive a $150 discount with code SIMPLYTRADE, available beginning October 1, 2026. Credits Host:Warrington Ellacott Guest(s):Laura Dawson — LinkedIn Producer:Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts• Spotify• YouTube 💬 Connect wit

90 Days Until 2027 Series Episode 1 of 13 Host: Lalo SolorzanoGuest(s): Miriam Name, Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton (CCN)Published: [PUBLISH DATE]Length: Approximately 14 minutesPresented by: Global Training Center Summary Why wait until January to fix the trade compliance problems you can start addressing today? In the kickoff to 90 Days Until 2027, Lalo Solorzano launches a 13-part Simply Trade [TIPS] series with Miriam Name of Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton (CCN). Their starting point: the documentation behind your USMCA certifications of origin. As companies prepare supplier solicitations and next year’s blanket certificates, Miriam asks a more important question than whether the paperwork has been signed: can you support it? Drawing on her experience with audits involving Mexico, she discusses what happens when invoices disappear, qualification calculations leave with a former employee, or the person signing a certification does not understand its basis. Lalo and Miriam explore why collecting documents is only part of the job. Those records also need to be accessible and available when someone asks how a product’s origin was determined. They discuss the limitations of scattered emails and manual workflows, along with the role software can play in supporting the process. This opening episode sets the tone for the series: practical improvements now, rather than another compliance resolution in January. Start with your USMCA files—and find out whether your team can back up what it signs. Main Topic / Discussion The first preparation task is to review your USMCA origin documentation before the next certification cycle. The conversation connects supplier solicitations, qualification methodology, signer knowledge, and accessible supporting records. Miriam also cautions exporters against assuming that a commercial agreement assigning import costs to a customer resolves the risks associated with certifications they have issued. Her closing recommendations focus on self-audits: checking certification details against importer and shipment information, reviewing methodology consistency on blanket certificates, and declining to certify when origin is uncertain. Key Takeaways • Start before renewal season becomes a scramble. Begin supplier solicitations early and review the documentation supporting the products you plan to certify. • Know who is signing—and what they understand. Miriam urges companies to confirm that the signer understands the basis for the certification and not to issue one when origin is uncertain. • Keep the evidence accessible. Review supplier documents, raw-material invoices, and qualification calculations rather than relying on one person’s inbox. For Mexico, Miriam recommends retaining supporting documentation for at least five years. • Self-audit the details. Cross-check certifications against importer and shipment information. Miriam also recommends consistency in the methodology used for blanket certifications and considering separate certificates for products using different methodologies. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • Miriam Name — LinkedIn • Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton (CCN) • USMCA Management Software - RAIZ The 90 Days Until 2027 companion playbook is in development, with practical resources planned to grow alongside the series. Follow Simply Trade for release updates. Credits Host:Lalo Solorzano Guest(s):Miriam Name - LinkedIn Producer:Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade • Global Training Center • Trade Geeks Community Don't forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks! Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions?SimplyTrade@GlobalTrainingCenter.com

Host: Lori Mullins & Karen DamonGuest(s): N/APublished: October 2026Length: Approximately 17 minutesPresented by: Global Training Center Summary The pace of change in international trade isn’t slowing down—and customs brokers, freight forwarders, importers, and compliance professionals need to know what’s coming next. In the October NCBFAA President’s Recap, presented in partnership with Simply Trade and Global Training Center, Lori Mullins sits down with NCBFAA President Karen Damon following the association’s sold-out Government Affairs Conference. Karen takes listeners behind the scenes of NCBFAA’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and explains why transparency and advance notice remain critical when new tariffs and regulatory requirements are introduced. The conversation also examines CBP’s increasing focus on enforcement and why licensed customs brokers are being viewed as an important “force multiplier” in protecting revenue, improving data accuracy, supporting security, and keeping legitimate trade moving. They also tackle a deadline licensed customs brokers cannot afford to overlook: the 2027 triennial report and continuing education requirements. Finally, Karen looks ahead to what could dominate trade conversations over the coming months—including supply-chain tracing, CTPAT obligations, enhanced importer responsibilities, and CBP’s push for greater supply-chain visibility. Main Topic / Discussion This month’s President’s Recap focuses on a trade environment increasingly shaped by enforcement, supply-chain transparency, regulatory change, and industry advocacy. Following NCBFAA’s Government Affairs Conference, Karen discusses the importance of bringing the trade community’s perspective directly to policymakers. She also explains why predictable implementation timelines are essential when tariffs and other requirements change. Brokers and importers need time to understand new rules, educate their teams, update software, and transmit accurate information. The conversation then turns to CBP enforcement and the evolving responsibilities of importers and customs brokers. Karen describes brokers as an important “force multiplier” capable of helping CBP facilitate legitimate commerce while supporting security, accurate data, revenue collection, and compliance. The 2027 Triennial Is Coming Licensed customs brokers should be preparing now for the 2027 triennial reporting cycle. Karen emphasizes the importance of maintaining documentation supporting continuing education credits. Lori challenges listeners to contact fellow licensed customs brokers—and importer colleagues who hold licenses—to make sure they are preparing as well. What Comes Next? Karen identifies two issues she believes the industry will still be discussing six months from now: supply-chain tracing and CTPAT obligations affecting customs brokers. She encourages importers, exporters, customs brokers, and other trade professionals to pay attention to CBP’s developing supply-chain visibility requirements and participate in the regulatory process when opportunities for public comment arise. Key Takeaways • NCBFAA’s Government Affairs Conference gives industry professionals an opportunity to educate policymakers about trade facilitation and the practical impact of regulatory changes. • Advance notice for tariff and regulatory changes is essential for compliant implementation, including updates to CBP systems and brokerage software. • Customs brokers increasingly serve as a “force multiplier” by supporting CBP’s security, trade facilitation, data accuracy, and revenue-collection missions. • Brokers and importers should closely monitor evolving requirements involving importer records, ownership information, bonds, foreign importers, and supply-chain transparency. • Licensed customs brokers need to prepare for the 2027 triennial report and retain documentation supporting their required continuing education credits. • NCBFAA committees and volunteers con

Host: Cindy AllenPublished: October 2, 2026Length: ~12 min.Presented by: Global Training Center Summary What should trade teams watch when tariff negotiations, court challenges, and customs procedures are all moving at once? In this October 2 edition of Simply Trade—Cindy’s Version, Cindy Allen uses Taylor Swift’s “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys” as the starting point for a discussion about trade relationships and operational uncertainty. She examines developments involving China, Canada, and Mexico, alongside the questions they raise for importers, customs brokers, and cross-border supply chains. The update moves from proposed Section 301 tariff reductions and the U.S.–China trade truce to international discussions about excess capacity and steel melt-and-pour information. Cindy also reviews tariff litigation before turning to practical matters: continuing education records, importer-of-record status, CTPAT validation, low-value postal entries, and pharmaceutical tariff reporting. Throughout the episode, Cindy connects policy discussions with the follow-through required of trade professionals. Her closing message is to prepare for further changes rather than assume temporary arrangements will settle long-term planning questions. For listeners balancing developments in Washington and abroad with day-to-day customs responsibilities, this episode offers a focused overview of what Cindy is watching—and the operational details she encourages listeners to review. This Week in Trade Topics Cindy discusses in this episode: • China trade developments: Proposed Section 301 tariff reductions, an anticipated comment period, and the U.S.–China trade-truce extension. • Global trade and the courts: Excess-capacity discussions, steel melt-and-pour transparency, and tariff challenges involving Sections 301 and 122. • CBP updates: Broker education and applications, importer records, CTPAT, Entry Type 13, and pharmaceutical tariff reporting. • North America and transportation: Canadian product restrictions, USMCA negotiations, and shipping concerns involving the Strait of Hormuz. Main Topic / Discussion The central discussion is how evolving trade relationships intersect with everyday customs work. Cindy uses this week’s song as an organizing theme for examining U.S. trade relationships with Canada, Mexico, China, and other trading partners. She connects that broader discussion with operational readiness: monitoring tariff proposals and court cases, maintaining broker education documentation, checking importer records, and following CBP filing guidance. The episode brings policy developments and administrative details into the same conversation, encouraging listeners to account for both when planning their next steps. Key Takeaways • Watch the process, not just the announcement. Follow comment periods and implementation guidance as proposed tariff changes develop. • Keep broker education records current. Review completed credits and supporting documentation ahead of the next triennial reporting cycle. • Review importer and broker readiness. Pay attention to importer-of-record status, Form 5106 information, and applicable CTPAT requirements. • Prepare for continued change. Keep trade negotiations, tariff litigation, steel-origin information, and CBP reporting guidance on your monitoring list. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • USTR: Section 301 Investigations • CBP: Customs Broker Continuing Education • CBP: Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism—CTPAT • Episode song: Taylor Swift, “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys.” Credits Host:Cindy Allen Guest(s):N/A Producer:Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts• Spotify• YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade• Global Training Center• Trade Geeks Community Don't forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade gee

Host: Andy ShilesGuest(s): Evan Shelley, Founder of Truck Parking ClubPublished: October 1, 2026Length: Approximately 34 minutesPresented by: Global Training Center Summary What does “free” truck parking really cost when a driver has to travel miles out of the way to reach it? In this episode of Simply Trade, Andy Shiles talks with Evan Shelley, founder of Truck Parking Club, about treating parking as an operational decision—not simply an expense to avoid. Their conversation explores the trade-offs between parking fees, unnecessary mileage, available driving time, and driver stress. Evan explains how Truck Parking Club connects drivers, dispatchers, and fleet managers looking for parking with property owners who have suitable space available. The discussion goes beyond overnight stops to cover trailer drop-offs, multiday stays, and longer-term equipment storage. Along the way, Andy and Evan consider why access to the right parking location can matter as much as the price of the space itself. There’s another side to the conversation for warehouse operators, trucking terminals, repair shops, and other businesses with unused room. Evan describes how those spaces can become parking opportunities—and why a property doesn’t necessarily need to be large or located beside a major interstate to meet a driver’s needs. For anyone managing trucks, coordinating freight, or overseeing commercial property, this episode offers a practical look at an often-overlooked part of transportation operations. Main Topic / Discussion Andy and Evan explore truck parking from both sides of the marketplace: helping drivers and fleets find suitable places to stop while helping property owners put unused capacity to work. Evan describes the platform’s booking tools, property information, and support for parking operators. At the time of recording, he reports more than 6,300 locations across all 50 states. Episode Highlights The following timestamps mark discussion segments in the transcript. • 02:48 — How the marketplace works: Connecting parking demand with available property space. • 12:13 — Finding and booking a spot: Using availability, photos, reviews, and amenities to evaluate locations. • 13:05 — Pricing and membership options: Marketplace rates, volume discounts, and loyalty benefits. • 17:32 — Beyond overnight parking: Multiday stops, trailer drop-offs, and longer-term storage needs. • 21:18 — The fleet business case: Evaluating parking through safety, efficiency, out-of-route miles, and driver experience. • 30:45 — Opportunities beyond major markets: Why rural properties and smaller locations can still meet meaningful parking needs. Key Takeaways • Compare the whole trip—not just the parking fee. Andy and Evan discuss how a free space farther away may involve additional fuel, mileage, and time compared with a nearby paid option. • Parking needs extend beyond overnight rest. The conversation includes trailer drops, multiday parking, and longer-term equipment storage—not just finding somewhere to sleep. • Suitable unused space can create a revenue opportunity. Evan explains how warehouses, trucking terminals, repair shops, and other properties can participate, including locations with only one available space. • Location value depends on the driver’s needs. Evan highlights how a rural property could help a local driver park closer to home, even when the site is not near a major interstate. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • Truck Parking Club • Connect with Evan Shelley on LinkedIn Credits Host:Andy Shiles Guest(s):Evan Shelley - LinkedIn Producer:Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade • Global Training Center • Trade Geeks Community Don't forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks! Want to be on the show or ha

Host: Lalo SolorzanoGuest(s): Arthur O’MearaPublished: September 30Length: ~12 minutesPresented by: Global Training Center Summary DDP can sound like the perfect solution for a customer: the seller handles everything and delivers the goods. But for the seller, Delivered Duty Paid can bring obligations and costs that aren't always obvious when the deal is made. In the final installment of this four-part Simply Trade Tips series, host Lalo Solorzano and Arthur O’Meara return to Incoterms® to examine DDP. Arthur, an Incoterms® instructor certified by the International Chamber of Commerce, explains why sellers need to understand a destination country's importer-of-record requirements before agreeing to DDP. Using Canada as an example, Arthur explores non-resident importer registration and the potential impact of GST. He also explains an important distinction: free trade agreements may address duties, but that doesn't mean other taxes disappear. The conversation then flips the scenario to U.S. imports, where Arthur explains why having a foreign supplier act as importer of record doesn't automatically reduce the dutiable value or eliminate the U.S. buyer's exposure to Customs questions. The series ends with a straightforward lesson: do your homework before something goes wrong. Edit-16---Arthur-Lalo-Take-04 (… Main Topic / Discussion This episode focuses on DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) and the obligations sellers can assume when agreeing to this Incoterms® rule. Arthur explains that DDP places extensive responsibilities on the seller, including obligations surrounding import customs clearance. That can create an immediate complication when selling into countries that require an importer of record to maintain an in-country presence. Even where non-resident importer provisions exist, additional tax considerations may arise. Arthur uses Canada to illustrate how an American seller could become a non-resident importer and still encounter GST obligations that are separate from customs duties. Lalo and Arthur also discuss the importance of educating departments outside trade compliance—particularly sales and purchasing—so Incoterms® aren't selected simply because they make a transaction easier to close. Finally, Arthur addresses the misconception that using a foreign supplier as importer of record into the United States automatically creates a lower dutiable value. His broader point: the Incoterms® rule and importer-of-record structure should be chosen strategically, not simply because they appear convenient. Edit-16---Arthur-Lalo-Take-04 (… Key Takeaways • DDP creates significant seller obligations: Understand what you're agreeing to before promising a customer that you'll “take care of everything.” • Check importer-of-record requirements: Countries can have different rules governing whether a foreign seller can serve as importer of record. • Duty-free doesn't necessarily mean tax-free: Arthur emphasizes that free trade agreements address duties, while other taxes such as VAT or GST can still apply. • Train sales and purchasing teams: Incoterms® decisions shouldn't exist only within the trade compliance department. Commercial teams need to understand the consequences of the terms they negotiate. • Don't assume changing the importer of record reduces dutiable value: Arthur explains why making the foreign supplier the importer of record does not automatically mean duties will be calculated using the supplier's production cost. • Do your homework: “This is how we've always done it” isn't a substitute for understanding the transaction and preparing before something goes wrong. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • Incoterms® Training — Explore training on Incoterms® rules, buyer and seller responsibilities, risk, costs, and international transactions. • Import Compliance Training — Training for professionals responsible for U.S. import compliance and Customs requirements. Credits Host:Lalo Solorzano Guest(s):Arthur

Host: Lalo SolorzanoGuest(s): N/APublished: September 25, 2026Length: N/APresented by: Global Training Center Summary The writing has been on the wall for a while. This week, some of those warnings turned into dates, duty rates, filing requirements, and even an import prohibition. With Cindy Allen traveling for the NCBFAA GAC conference, Lalo Solorzano takes over the weekly trade update — swapping Taylor Swift for Iron Maiden and looking at several developments that trade professionals can no longer leave in the “watching” category. At the top of the list are new restrictions affecting certain Canadian goods. Beginning September 29, covered packaged alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and motorcycles face exclusion from importation into the United States under Section 338 — moving the conversation beyond the earlier 50% additional duties. Lalo also covers CBP’s upcoming electronic export manifest test for truck cargo, important AD/CVD developments involving products from China, Mexico, and India, and the October 6 launch date for Phase 3 of CBP’s CAPE process for certain finally liquidated IEEPA entries. The message for trade professionals is straightforward: go back to your watch list. Yesterday’s developing issue may now have a deadline, a rate, a filing requirement, or a direct impact on whether goods can enter the country. Main Topic / Discussion This week’s developments demonstrate how quickly trade issues can move from proposals and preliminary actions into operational requirements. Canadian Imports and Section 338 Beginning September 29, certain Canadian packaged alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and motorcycles will be excluded from importation into the United States. The exact product coverage and HTS classification matter, and goods imported before the effective date may receive different treatment under the earlier 50% Section 338 duty. For importers, this creates immediate questions around classification, shipment timing, entry status, sourcing, and product eligibility. Electronic Export Manifests for Trucks CBP will begin a roughly two-year electronic export manifest test for truck cargo on October 23, initially involving nine carriers. Participating carriers will provide certain export-manifest information through ACE at least 24 hours before departure, with the complete manifest due no later than two hours before arrival at the final port of export. The test reinforces a broader direction: CBP wants export information earlier, potentially requiring carriers, forwarders, USPPIs, and other parties to adjust their processes. AD/CVD Developments Commerce preliminarily determined that certain compacted graphite iron brake drums from China constitute later-developed merchandise circumventing existing AD/CVD orders. Other developments include a preliminary 56.43% dumping margin in the administrative review of seamless refined copper pipe and tube from Mexico and final affirmative ITC injury determinations involving oleoresin paprika from India. The lesson: AD/CVD exposure is not static. Product scope, rates, circumvention findings, and cases can change after a sourcing decision has been made. IEEPA Refunds and CAPE Phase 3 CBP says CAPE Phase 3 is scheduled to open October 6 for certain finally liquidated entries tied to litigation. This does not apply broadly to every importer with finally liquidated IEEPA entries. According to the episode, the phase currently applies to importers that filed their own lawsuit and have a court order permitting those entries to be reliquidated. Affected companies should review entry coverage, importer-of-record information, and ACH refund information. Key Takeaways • Review Canadian imports now if your company handles products potentially covered by the September 29 Section 338 prohibition. • Prepare for an environment where CBP increasingly expects export information earlier in the shipment process. • Monitor AD/CVD cases continuously — product coverage, circumventio

Host: Lalo Solorzano & Andy ShilesGuest(s): Humberto CaballeroPublished: September 24, 2026Length: ~33 minutesPresented by: Global Training Center Summary CBP has put 64 questions before the trade community—but are they really just questions, or a preview of where U.S. import compliance is headed? In this episode, Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles sit down with licensed customs broker Humberto Caballero of XP Logistics & Trade to unpack what these questions could mean for importers, customs brokers, manufacturers, and trade compliance teams. Drawing on his experience with both U.S. and Mexican customs, Humberto boils the discussion down to three critical concepts: right to make entry, traceability, and accountability. The conversation explores why CBP may increasingly expect importers to understand what happens before goods reach the U.S. border—including foreign export documentation, transaction values, supplier information, manufacturer identification, sourcing, and payment records. The team also digs into the challenges surrounding Manufacturer Identification Numbers (MIDs), supplier due diligence, CTPAT, and the growing need for trade compliance professionals to have a seat at the table before sourcing and purchasing decisions are finalized. The message for importers is clear: start preparing now rather than waiting for new requirements to arrive. Main Topic / Discussion CBP's 64 questions point toward a potentially significant evolution in how importers document, verify, and demonstrate compliance. Humberto organizes the underlying issues into three areas: right to make entry, traceability, and accountability. Importers may need greater visibility into their foreign suppliers, export documentation, transaction history, sourcing, manufacturer information, and the parties receiving the economic benefit of a transaction. The discussion also highlights the increasing importance of aligning trade compliance with purchasing, sourcing, logistics, and foreign operations. Instead of bringing compliance professionals in after a problem occurs, companies should involve them before suppliers are approved and transactions begin. Particular attention is given to foreign documentation and Manufacturer Identification Numbers (MIDs). Inconsistent manufacturer information can create complications when companies, customs brokers, and government programs are trying to establish who actually manufactured or exported merchandise. The episode also examines how U.S. compliance expectations appear to be moving toward greater traceability and how those expectations compare with practices Humberto has experienced in Mexico. Key Takeaways • Humberto summarizes the themes behind CBP's 64 questions as right to make entry, traceability, and accountability. • Importers should understand not only what they are importing, but also who they are doing business with and how their suppliers source materials. • Foreign export documentation, purchase orders, invoices, payment records, transaction values, and manufacturer information could become increasingly important parts of demonstrating traceability. • Manufacturer Identification Numbers can become inconsistent when different parties construct an MID differently or use different addresses for the same company. • Supplier due diligence should involve trade compliance—not just sourcing and purchasing. • Companies should consider maintaining reliable supplier data such as foreign tax IDs, DUNS information, manufacturer details, and applicable MIDs in their internal systems. • CTPAT continues to evolve beyond its original security focus, making traceability and trade compliance increasingly important considerations for participating companies. • A strong trade compliance function can be a competitive advantage, particularly when compliance professionals are involved before transactions occur rather than being asked to fix problems afterward. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center

Host: Lalo SolorzanoGuest(s): Arthur O’MearaPublished: September 22,2026Length: ~8 minutesPresented by: Global Training Center Summary Recordkeeping may not be the most exciting part of trade compliance, but Arthur O’Meara has one word for what can happen when companies get it wrong: draconian. In Episode 3 of this Simply Trade Tips series, host Lalo Solorzano and Arthur tackle an often-overlooked part of import compliance: keeping the records you may need when Customs comes asking. Arthur explains why the A1A recordkeeping list can initially seem intimidating—and why compliance doesn't necessarily mean copying every document into one massive entry file. Instead, companies should understand what records are required, know exactly where those records are maintained, and periodically verify that they remain accessible. The conversation also addresses a practical challenge facing trade professionals: when tariffs, classification changes, and other urgent issues consume your time, routine compliance tasks can slip down the priority list. Arthur's recommendation? Make recordkeeping part of your annual compliance goals. It's a manageable exercise that can help protect the company before a CBP request puts your records to the test. Main Topic / Discussion This episode focuses on establishing a practical and sustainable approach to trade recordkeeping. Arthur explains that companies don't necessarily need to duplicate every required document and store everything alongside their entry records. Using purchase orders as an example, he suggests documenting where the records are maintained—such as within purchasing or procurement—and periodically confirming that the responsible department continues to retain them. The important question is whether the company can produce the required records when they're requested. Arthur also discusses what can happen when CBP sends a CBP Form 28 Request for Information. At that point, the trade compliance professional may suddenly need to locate marketing literature, transaction documentation, or other records while working against a response deadline. His preferred approach is proactive: periodically review the company's recordkeeping practices before a government request arrives. Key Takeaways • Don't let the A1A list overwhelm you: Understand which records actually apply to your transactions rather than assuming every item on the list belongs in every file. • Know where your records live: A document doesn't necessarily have to be duplicated into one centralized file if you can identify where it's maintained and retrieve it when necessary. • Periodically verify accessibility: Don't assume another department is still retaining a record simply because it was there the last time you checked. • Prepare before a CBP Form 28 arrives: A request for information is not the ideal time to discover gaps in your recordkeeping process. • Make recordkeeping an annual goal: Arthur describes it as an “easy win” that doesn't have to consume significant time but can help protect the company. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • Import Compliance Training — Explore training related to import compliance, documentation, Customs requirements, and preparing your organization for compliance responsibilities. Credits Host:Lalo Solorzano Guest(s):Arthur O’Meara - LinkedIn Producer:Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts• Spotify• YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade• Global Training Center• Trade Geeks Community Don't forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks! Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions?SimplyTrade@GlobalTrainingCenter.com

Host: Cindy AllenPublished: September 18, 2026Presented by: Global Training Center Summary International trade keeps changing—but are businesses, policymakers, and trade professionals changing with it? In this episode of Simply Trade Cindy’s Version, Cindy Allen uses Taylor Swift’s “Right Where You Left Me” as the lens for a packed week in international trade. Cindy covers developments ranging from CBP refund processing and importer-of-record enforcement to the Jones Act, rail export manifests, trucking challenges at the southern border, ocean freight congestion, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding global shipping. She also turns to the bigger question facing the trade community: Are we still approaching tariffs and trade policy as if the world hasn’t changed? Cindy shares her perspective on when tariffs may serve a strategic purpose, including national security and critical supply chains, while questioning whether broad tariffs by themselves can accomplish larger policy objectives. Her message for businesses is straightforward: regardless of where the policy debate goes next, companies need to prepare for an international trade environment that looks very different from the one they knew a decade ago. The challenge isn’t just keeping up with the latest regulation. It’s recognizing when the assumptions behind your trade strategy need to change. This Week in Trade • CBP refund processing, CAPE Phase 3, and ACE refund account challenges• Importer-of-record enforcement and the importance of accurate CBP Form 5106 information• Ocean freight congestion, global shipping risks, and approaching Golden Week pressures• Tariffs, critical supply chains, and adapting business strategy to the evolving trade environment Main Topic / Discussion The central question this week is whether the trade community is “right where you left me”—holding onto assumptions about tariffs, sourcing, supply chains, and trade policy that were formed in a very different environment. Cindy discusses her view that tariffs can be one tool for addressing specific national security, health, and supply-chain concerns, but argues that tariffs alone cannot create domestic manufacturing capacity or solve broader economic challenges. Using pharmaceuticals and metals as examples, she explains why incentives, investment, production capacity, and long-term strategy need to work alongside trade policy. The broader takeaway for importers and trade professionals: the operating environment has changed. Rather than waiting for international trade to return to an earlier version of “normal,” companies should evaluate what the current environment means for compliance, sourcing, investment, and long-term planning. Key Takeaways • Importers should review the information associated with their importer-of-record numbers and ensure their CBP records are accurate and current. • Refund processing can still create operational challenges, particularly when importers do not have the necessary ACE refund information established. • Global logistics remain exposed to congestion and geopolitical disruption, making continued supply-chain monitoring important. • Trade strategy should focus not only on individual tariff actions, but also on the larger business objective: what problem needs to be solved, and what combination of tools can address it? Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center• World Trade Report 2026• U.S. Customs and Border Protection — ACE, importer-of-record records, and refund processing discussed in the episode Credits Host:Cindy Allen Guest(s):N/A Producer:Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts• Spotify• YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade• Global Training Center• Trade Geeks Community Don't forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks! Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions?SimplyTrade@

Host: Lalo Solorzano and Andy ShilesGuest(s): Hal Berman and John PetittePublished: September 17, 2026Length: 38:47Presented by: Global Training Center Summary Tariff engineering isn’t just a compliance exercise—it can become a powerful strategy for reducing landed costs, improving sourcing decisions, and strengthening profitability. In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles welcome back Hal Berman and John Petitte of Trade Insight for a practical discussion about how companies can approach tariff engineering as a cross-functional business initiative. The conversation explores why successful duty optimization requires much more than finding a different tariff classification. Engineering, sourcing, procurement, finance, operations, tax, supply chain, and compliance may all hold pieces of the information needed to determine whether a change actually makes financial sense. Hal and John share examples involving product design, component sourcing, final assembly, free trade agreements, and duty exposure to illustrate how relatively small changes can potentially produce meaningful savings. They also discuss the role of AI as a research and productivity tool for trained trade professionals—not as a replacement for human judgment. The bigger lesson: companies can get more value when trade considerations enter the product lifecycle earlier, rather than waiting until goods reach the border. Main Topic / Discussion Tariff engineering is the process of evaluating how legitimate changes to a product's design, materials, sourcing, manufacturing, assembly, or supply chain can affect tariff treatment and overall landed cost. The discussion emphasizes that effective tariff engineering requires a holistic view. A lower duty rate alone doesn't necessarily make a change worthwhile. Companies must consider supplier agreements, manufacturing costs, labor, logistics, tax implications, compliance requirements, and other costs before determining the actual return on investment. Build a Cross-Functional Team Compliance may help lead the analysis, but the necessary information often lives throughout the organization. Engineering understands product design. Procurement and sourcing understand suppliers and contracts. Finance can evaluate ROI. Operations and supply chain understand manufacturing and logistics constraints. Executive sponsorship can help these groups work toward the same objective instead of leaving compliance to pursue optimization opportunities alone. Start Small and Build a Repeatable Process Rather than reviewing every SKU at once, the conversation suggests identifying products associated with significant duty spend and evaluating specific opportunities. Even when the first project doesn't uncover savings, the exercise can establish a repeatable framework: which questions need to be asked, who owns the information, what constraints matter, and which stakeholders need to participate. Over time, tariff considerations can move earlier in the product lifecycle and potentially become part of product and supply-chain design. AI as a Trade Professional's Tool AI and technology can help trade professionals research classifications and analyze much larger product libraries, but the episode stresses the importance of human involvement and transparent reasoning. The objective is to give trained professionals better tools, clearer supporting rationale, and greater capacity—not simply automate away the compliance function. Key Takeaways • Tariff engineering goes beyond finding a lower duty rate; companies should evaluate total landed cost and overall ROI. • The strongest opportunities can involve product design, materials, sourcing, manufacturing location, final assembly, free trade agreements, and other special tariff provisions. • Compliance cannot effectively execute tariff optimization alone. Engineering, finance, sourcing, procurement, operations, supply chain, tax, and other stakeholders may need to partici

Host: Lalo SolorzanoGuest(s): Arthur O’MearaPublished: TBDLength: ~12 minutesPresented by: Global Training Center Summary What separates a good tariff classifier from a great one? According to longtime Global Training Center instructor Arthur O’Meara, it comes down to mastering the fundamentals—and consistently following a process. In week two of this Simply Trade Tips series, host Lalo Solorzano and Arthur dig into tariff classification and the details trade professionals can’t afford to overlook. Arthur highlights two essential tools: the General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs) and the notes that accompany the Harmonized System, including section notes and chapter notes. Those notes can define materials, establish boundaries, identify exclusions, and ultimately change where a product belongs. But knowing the rules is only part of the equation. Arthur explains why importers should have a documented tariff classification process that reflects what they actually do—and then follow that process consistently as part of practicing reasonable care. The conversation also tackles AI and classification. AI can be useful, but Arthur warns against confirmation bias and illustrates why human review and sound classification methodology remain critical. The takeaway is simple: have a process, follow it, and read the notes. Main Topic / Discussion Tariff classification is a game of details. Arthur identifies two areas that can elevate a classifier’s work: understanding the six General Rules of Interpretationand consistently consulting the relevant section and chapter notes. Those notes aren't just supplementary reading. They can provide definitions, establish exclusions, and determine whether a product can even be classified in a particular chapter. Arthur illustrates this with materials such as plastic and rubber and explains how something as seemingly straightforward as changing the material of a gasket can affect its classification. Beyond individual classification decisions, Arthur emphasizes the importance of a documented tariff classification process. The process should reflect what the company actually does and be followed consistently. The episode closes with a caution about AI. Asking an AI system to justify a classification you've already selected can reinforce your assumptions rather than independently establish that the classification is correct. Arthur's point is not to ignore technology, but to maintain a defensible process and meaningful human review. Key Takeaways • Master the GRIs: The six General Rules of Interpretation provide the framework for navigating tariff classification. • Read the notes: Section and chapter notes can contain definitions, exclusions, and other details that materially affect classification. • Document your classification process: Arthur recommends creating a process that reflects what your organization actually does and following it consistently. • Watch for confirmation bias with AI: Don't simply give an AI tool the tariff number you want and ask it to build an argument supporting your conclusion. Use sound classification methodology and human review. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • The Way Things Work: Newly Revised Edition by David Macaulay — Referenced again in this episode as a useful resource for understanding how products function, which can help when gathering information for tariff classification. Credits Host:Lalo Solorzano Guest(s):Arthur O’Meara - LinkedIn Producer:Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts• Spotify• YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade• Global Training Center• Trade Geeks Community Don't forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks! Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions?SimplyTrade@GlobalTrainingCenter.com

Host: Cindy AllenPublished: September 11, 2026Length: ~27 min.Presented by: Global Training Center Summary International trade is entering another major transformation—and according to Cindy Allen, trade professionals need to learn how to “be the willow and bend with the wind.” In this episode of Simply Trade: Cindy’s Version, Cindy returns from the Customs Trade Cargo Security Summit in Dallas with a firsthand look at where CBP and the administration are taking U.S. trade policy, enforcement, and modernization. The message from government leadership was clear: economic security is national security, importing is increasingly being treated as a privilege, and greater supply-chain visibility will be central to the next era of compliance. Cindy breaks down five major themes from the summit, including the push to illuminate supply chains back to raw materials, changes to importer verification, the expanding responsibilities of trade participants, and the growing importance of CTPAT. She also explores how AI and ACE modernization could help CBP and compliant businesses work faster and smarter. The direction of travel is becoming clearer. For importers, brokers, manufacturers, and other trade professionals, now is the time to understand how their responsibilities—and their compliance programs—may need to evolve. This Week in Trade • CBP and the administration are increasingly connecting economic security with national security. • Full supply-chain visibility and traceability are moving toward becoming fundamental compliance expectations. • Importer verification, country-of-origin determinations, and participation in programs such as CTPAT may evolve significantly. • AI, ACE modernization, and greater use of technology could reshape both CBP operations and private-sector trade compliance. Main Topic / Discussion Cindy breaks down five major messages she took away from the Customs Trade Cargo Security Summit and what they could mean for the future of international trade compliance. 1. The Administration’s Trade Goal The administration is pursuing an America First policy framework that could lead to changes in policy guidance, regulations, and eventually trade laws. One of the clearest messages Cindy heard was that importing is being treated as a privilege rather than a right. At the same time, CBP does not want to stop legitimate trade. The objective is to better identify risk while allowing compliant trade to move more efficiently. Economic security and national security are becoming increasingly intertwined, with domestic manufacturing capacity playing an important role in that strategy. 2. Illuminate Your Supply Chain Supply-chain visibility is becoming a critical compliance issue. Trade participants should increasingly expect to understand their supply chains beyond immediate suppliers—including products, manufacturing locations, and potentially the origins of raw materials. Forced-labor enforcement is one driver, but Cindy explains why this visibility could also become important as the government revisits country-of-origin rules and other trade requirements. The takeaway: companies should not wait for full traceability to become an explicit requirement before investing in the systems and processes needed to achieve it. 3. Know Who Is Participating in Trade CBP wants greater visibility not only into what enters the United States, but also who participates in the transaction. Importer-of-record verification is one area receiving attention. Cindy discusses the current 5106 process, CBP’s efforts to eliminate inactive importer records, and why additional information about importers and other supply-chain participants could become part of future requirements. CBP is also considering how better participant information can improve risk segmentation and programs such as CTPAT. 4. The Role of Trade Professionals Is Changing “Trade is a team sport” was a recurring message at the summit. CBP increasingly sees importers, cust

Host: Lalo SolorzanoGuest(s): Michael LadenPublished: September 11, 2026Length: 40:24Presented by: Global Training Center Summary In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, U.S. Customs faced an unprecedented challenge: protect the country from another attack without bringing legitimate international trade to a standstill. In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo Solorzano sits down with Michael Laden, one of the original private-sector architects who helped shape what became the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT). At the time, Michael was a senior trade executive at Target, overseeing a massive global supply chain involving thousands of vendors across 84 countries. The morning after the attacks, he sent a short email to U.S. Customs offering to help. Within 20 minutes, his phone rang. That call would eventually put Michael in meetings with Customs officials and approximately 50 experts from across the international trade community as they worked at extraordinary speed to rethink cargo security. Michael shares the story from inside those rooms: the lessons Customs learned about global supply chains, why the private sector insisted CTPAT remain voluntary, the role of the original seven charter members, and how Target discovered that stronger security could actually make its supply chain more efficient. Twenty-five years later, this is the story of how crisis, collaboration, and practical trade experience helped reshape supply chain security. Main Topic / Discussion When Trade Changed Overnight Following the September 11 attacks, Customs elevated security to its highest priority. Inspections intensified, border traffic slowed dramatically, and just-in-time supply chains began breaking down. Michael recalls watching the attacks from Target's offices and realizing later that evening that international trade was about to change. The following morning, he emailed Bonni Tischler, then Assistant Commissioner for Field Operations at the U.S. Customs Service, offering to help from his positions at Target, COAC, and AAEI. Within approximately 20 minutes, he received a call asking him to come to Washington as soon as flights resumed. Separating the Known From the Unknown Michael's central idea was straightforward: Customs needed a way to distinguish trusted, known companies and supply chains from unknown and potentially higher-risk shipments. He pointed to the Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition (BASC), an existing initiative designed to harden supply chains against narcotics smuggling, and suggested adapting the concept to address terrorism on a global scale. That idea became part of the foundation for what ultimately developed into CTPAT. Teaching Customs How Supply Chains Really Worked One of Michael's most revealing stories comes from a meeting with Customs investigators. Officials wanted Target to guarantee that every shipment entering the United States was completely secure. Michael explained the enormous complexity behind such a request: Target worked with approximately 15,000 vendors across 84 countries. The exchange exposed a critical knowledge gap. Customs understood what happened when cargo arrived at a U.S. port of entry, but the agency needed private-sector expertise to understand everything that happened upstream throughout a global supply chain. Building CTPAT at “Warp Speed” COAC convened approximately 50 private-sector experts representing importers, exporters, brokers, freight forwarders, ports, truckers, airlines, and other parts of international transportation. Working alongside Customs, the group examined individual supply-chain modes and helped develop the framework that became CTPAT. Michael also describes debate inside government over which agency should control incoming cargo and explains why members of the trade community strongly advocated for Customs to retain that responsibility. The program was formally launched on April 16, 2002, with seven charter members Commissioner Robert Bonner re