[NCBFAA] Enforcement, Advocacy & What Brokers Need to Watch

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