Simply Trade

Host: Annik Sobing
Guest: Cindy DeLeon, Founder and Managing Director, DeLeon Trade
Published: April 2026
Length: ~20 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

CAPE Refunds, ACE Challenges, and What Importers Need to Know Now

Annik Sobing sits down with Cindy De Leon, founder and managing director of De Leon Trade, for a practical conversation about CAPE refunds and the early rollout of CBP’s new process. Cindy breaks down what importers need to know about phase one eligibility, validation rules, common filing issues, and why clean data and strong internal controls matter. The conversation also covers account deactivations, error messages, broker communication, and what importers should monitor after submission so they do not miss key deadlines.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

CAPE basics
Cindy explains what CAPE is, who can use it, and which entry types are currently eligible in phase one. She also walks through how the portal works and why it is not as simple as a standard online refund process.

Common filing issues
The discussion covers some of the most frequent challenges users are facing, including account deactivations, validation errors, and system messages that prevent entries from being processed. Cindy shares practical advice on working through those issues and when to refile.

Internal controls and data quality
Cindy stresses the importance of strong internal controls, clean ACE data, and regular audits before submitting a CAPE request. She also explains why companies with inconsistent entry data may need to correct issues before they can move forward.

Broker and importer communication
The episode highlights why importers need to know whether their broker is filing on their behalf and where refund money will be routed. Cindy also touches on situations where brokers may have advanced duties and why clear communication is essential.

Deadlines still matter
One of the biggest reminders from the conversation is that filing a CAPE refund request does not stop liquidation or protest deadlines. Cindy encourages importers to keep monitoring the “biological clock” of their entries and consult legal counsel when needed.

Credits
Host: Annik Sobing
Guest: Cindy De Leon
Presented by: Global Training Center

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center
• Trade Force Multiplier

Credits
Host:
• Cindy Allen – LinkedIn
• Trade Force Multiplier

Producer:
• Lalo Solorzano – LinkedIn

Subscribe & Follow
New episodes every Friday.

Presented by Global Training Center

• Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn
• Global Training Center on LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Trade Geeks Community

Host: Cindy Allen
Published: April 24, 2026
Length: ~15 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
In this week’s episode of Simply Trade: Cindy’s Version, Cindy Allen covers a relatively quiet week in global trade—highlighted by one major development: the successful launch of CBP’s CAPE system for IEEPA duty refunds.

After months of uncertainty, CAPE is now live—and early feedback from the trade community has been overwhelmingly positive. Importers are already seeing duties removed at the entry level and refund amounts becoming visible, marking a significant milestone in the post-IEEPA landscape.

Cindy also touches on ongoing geopolitical risks in the Strait of Hormuz, new developments in Section 232 and 301 actions, and important updates impacting the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors.

Inspired by Taylor Swift’s King of My Heart, Cindy reflects on whether CAPE might finally be the solution the trade community has been waiting for.

This Week in Trade
• Continued disruption risks in the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global shipping and energy markets
• Accelerated movement on Section 232 and 301 investigations
• New tariff relief for steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico used in U.S. automotive production
• Ongoing developments in pharmaceutical tariffs, including compliance challenges for importers
• Industry feedback submitted on electronic export manifest requirements for ocean shipments

CAPE Launch: A Strong Start
CBP officially launched CAPE on April 20, and early results are promising:

• System launched on time and without major disruption
• Filing requires only entry numbers
• Importers are already seeing IEEPA duties removed at the line level
• Refund amounts are becoming visible and trackable

While some minor issues have surfaced—particularly around capped duty scenarios and prior filing instructions—the overall rollout has been widely viewed as a success.

What This Means for Trade
• CAPE is delivering on expectations—at least in its initial phase
• Importers and brokers can begin actively recovering duties
• Some entries may still require post-summary corrections before filing
• The system’s simplicity is enabling broader participation across the trade community

Cindy notes that while not perfect, this is one of the most effective system rollouts seen in recent trade operations.

Key Takeaways
• CAPE is live—and working
• Early feedback suggests a smooth and effective rollout
• Trade professionals should begin evaluating filing strategies
• Broader trade enforcement activity continues to accelerate

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center
• Trade Force Multiplier

Credits
Host:
• Cindy Allen – LinkedIn
• Trade Force Multiplier

Producer:
• Lalo Solorzano – LinkedIn

Subscribe & Follow
New episodes every Friday.

Presented by Global Training Center

• Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn
• Global Training Center on LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Trade Geeks Community

Host: Annik Sobing
Guests: Federico “Kiko” Zuniga, Kim Campbell & Carlos Martinez
Published: November 2025
Length: ~12 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

One Region, One Voice: Strengthening North American Trade Collaboration
In this special Simply Trade Roundup episode recorded live at the NCBFAA conference in San Antonio, host Annik Sobing sits down with leaders from the North American Customs Brokers Alliance (NACBA): Federico “Kiko” Zuniga (Chair), Kim Campbell (Treasurer, Canada), and Carlos Martinez (Co-Chair, Mexico).

Together, they discuss the importance of collaboration between customs brokers across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — and how a unified industry voice helps shape more efficient and effective border processes. The conversation highlights NACBA’s role in addressing trade barriers, educating the industry, and working directly with all three governments to improve cross-border trade.

From the ongoing USMCA review to evolving customs regulations and real-world operational challenges, this episode underscores why North America must continue working together to remain a strong and competitive trade region.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

What NACBA is and how it brings together customs brokers from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Why collaboration across North America is critical for seamless trade flows.

How NACBA identifies trade barriers and works with governments to resolve them.

The current challenges surrounding the USMCA review process.

Key regulatory and operational challenges in Canada (CARM) and Mexico (customs reform).

How education and industry resources help importers better understand cross-border trade.

Key Takeaways

A unified voice across North America is more powerful than individual country advocacy.

Trade in the region goes beyond economics — it also impacts security and long-term stability.

The USMCA review process is a critical moment that will shape the future of regional trade.

Importers often underestimate compliance requirements, especially under USMCA qualification rules.

Strong collaboration between brokers and governments leads to more practical and effective trade solutions.

Resources & Mentions

North American Customs Brokers Alliance (via NCBFAA resources)

NCBFAA — https://www.ncbfaa.org/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

CAAAREM — https://www.caaarem.mx/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

USMCA — https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/united-states-mexico-canada-agreement?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Global Training Center — https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Credits
Host: Annik Sobing — https://www.linkedin.com/in/annik-sobing-mba-b226251a2/

Guests:

Federico “Kiko” Zuniga — https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiko-zuniga-2570086/

Kim Campbell — https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-campbell-ca/

Carlos Martinez — (CAAAREM, Mexico)

Producer: Lalo Solorzano — https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalosolorzano/

Subscribe & Follow
New Roundup episodes every week.

Presented by: Global Training Center — https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Connect with us:

Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/82507159/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Global Training Center on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-training-center/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Trade Geeks Community — https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/portal/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks!

Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions?
[email protected]
or DM @SimplyTradePod on Twitter/X

Hosts

Renee Chiuchiarelli

Julie Parks

Episode Length
~10 minutes

Episode Summary
In this episode of Simply Trade Tips: Hammer & Heels, Renee and Julie tackle one of the toughest realities in transforming trade organizations:

👉 What happens when the work evolves… but the team doesn’t?

As part of the Tactical vs. Strategic series, this conversation dives into the human side of transformation—where automation, delegation, and new expectations shift the nature of work, but not everyone is ready (or willing) to shift with it.

They break down how leaders should think about talent, coaching, and difficult decisions when building a more strategic trade function.

Key Learnings
1. Moving to Strategic Work Is a People Change—Not Just a Process Change
Automation, controls, and delegation don’t just change workflows—they change what’s expected from your team.

👉 Strategic work requires:

Judgment

Communication

Influence

👉 Tactical work requires:

Accuracy

Speed

As programs mature, the balance shifts—and your talent strategy must shift with it.

2. Not Everyone Wants Strategic Work (And That’s Okay)
Some employees:

Prefer predictable work

Are uncomfortable with ambiguity

Don’t want decision ownership

Avoid stakeholder influence

👉 That’s not a flaw—it’s a fit question.

The real leadership challenge is identifying:

Is it a capability issue?

A comfort issue?

Or a willingness issue?

3. Old Habits Pull Teams Back Into Tactical Mode
Even after transformation, teams may revert to:

Manual problem-solving

Email-based approvals

Reworking broker tasks

Hoarding work instead of delegating

Why?

Familiarity feels safer

Fear of losing expertise or relevance

Comfort with being “the expert”

👉 If you don’t actively break old habits, they will quietly take over again.

4. Coaching Comes Before Replacing
Before making talent changes, leaders should:

Clearly explain why roles are evolving

Define new expectations with guardrails

Teach what strategic thinking actually looks like

Pair employees with mentors

Build confidence through repetition and feedback

👉 Strategic capability doesn’t appear overnight—it’s built.

5. Give People Time to Grow
Developing strategic thinkers requires:

More time

More coaching

More interaction

More iteration

👉 If every deadline is urgent, tactical work will always win.

6. When Change Doesn’t Happen
Sometimes, coaching isn’t enough.

Leaders have two options:

Redesign the role toward tactical execution (if still needed)

Replace the role with talent aligned to the strategic direction

👉 Organizations often change faster than people can.

Key Takeaway
👉 Moving from tactical to strategic isn’t just about systems—
it’s about having the right people, in the right roles, at the right time.

🎯 FIO (Figure It Out) – This Week’s Challenge
Schedule intentional thinking time on your calendar.

Because if your day is fully reactive:
👉 Tactical work will always win.

Block time to:

Think strategically

Analyze

Plan ahead

Then start aligning your schedule with the leader you want to become.

💬 Join the Conversation
Head over to the Trade Geeks community and tell us:
Have you made the shift to strategic work—or is your team still stuck in tactical mode?

Credits
Hosts:
Renee Chiuchiarelli – https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-chiuchiarelli-lcb-ccs-8964a19/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
Julie Parks – https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-ann-parks/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalosolorzano/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

🎧 Subscribe & Follow
New TIPS episodes every Tuesday.

Presented by:
Global Training Center — education, consulting, workshops & compliance resources for trade professionals.
👉 https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Connect With Us
Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn
Global Training Center on LinkedIn

YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Trade Geeks Community — https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/portal/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

💬 Don’t forget to rate, review & share with your fellow trade geeks!

Want to Be on the Show or Have Topic Suggestions?
📧 [email protected]
🐦 Twitter/X: @SimplyTradePod

Host: Annik Sobing
Guest: Omar Abuhashish, Co-Founder and CEO, Reform
Published: April 2026
Length: ~21 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Building Reform: Startup Lessons, Trade Tech, and the Future of Supply Chain

Annik Sobing sits down with Omar Abuhashish, co-founder and CEO of Reform, live from the NCBFAA conference, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and the path that led him into trade technology. Omar shares his journey from growing up in Jordan to studying engineering at NYU, working in startups, and eventually building Reform with a focus on solving complex problems in supply chain and trade. The discussion highlights the importance of curiosity, strong teams, trust, and persistence in building a company with lasting impact.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Omar’s background
Omar reflects on his upbringing in Jordan, his move to the U.S., and his decision to study mechanical and aerospace engineering and computer science at NYU. He explains how a lifelong interest in building, problem-solving, and challenge helped shape his career path.

Startup experience and leadership
Before founding Reform, Omar worked in early-stage startups where he learned how small teams can shape a company’s direction and how product development grows from understanding real customer pain points. He shares how those experiences prepared him for the responsibilities of co-founding a company.

How Reform got started
Omar describes how he and his co-founder explored complex problems across industries before finding strong interest in supply chain and trade. After conducting extensive discovery conversations, they saw a clear opportunity to build technology for an industry with major operational challenges.

Building the right team
The conversation also focuses on hiring and team-building, including how Reform intentionally recruited trusted people from Omar’s network and pursued talent with relevant expertise. He emphasizes that strong teams and genuine relationships are central to the company’s growth.

Early wins and future vision
Omar discusses the first signs that Reform was solving a real problem, including landing an early customer who believed in both the product and the team. He also shares his vision for how Reform can change the way work gets done in supply chain and trade while keeping human relationships at the center.

Why Listen
Because this episode gives you a real look at how a young successful trade tech founder thinks, builds, and grows. Omar Abuhashish shares the story behind Reform, the lessons he learned from startups, and what it takes to turn complex industry problems into practical solutions. If you care about entrepreneurship, innovation, or the future of supply chain, this one is worth your time.

Credits
Host: Annik Sobing
Guest: Omar Abuhashish
Presented by: Global Training Center

New episodes every Monday!

Presented by Global Training Center

Global Training Center on LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Trade Geeks Community