Simply Trade

Host: Cindy Allen
Published: May 2026
Length: ~12 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Trade Complexity, CAPE Rejections, and Why “Happiness” Fits the Moment

In this episode of Simply Trade: Cindy’s Version, Cindy Allen steps back from the usual CAPE-only focus to look at the broader trade landscape, from AGOA comments and EU sanctions to OFAC changes, DOJ enforcement, and shipping developments at the FMC. She also discusses the latest CAPE refund updates, including rejection rates, sequencing issues, and the practical steps importers need to take if their entries were filed before guidance was finalized. Using Taylor Swift’s “Happiness” as her theme, Cindy reflects on the complexity of the current trade environment and why both frustration and optimism can exist at the same time.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

AGOA and global policy updates
Cindy highlights the USTR’s request for comments on AGOA and notes the upcoming expiration deadline at the end of the year. She also touches on revised EU sanctions against Russia and changes in OFAC contracting for sanctioned entities in oil and gas.

DOJ enforcement and supply chain risk
The conversation covers the DOJ’s plywood fraud case and the importance of supply chain diligence, willful blindness, and origin tracing. Cindy emphasizes that buyers need to know who they are dealing with and where goods actually come from.

Shipping and market pressure
Cindy discusses the FMC’s record award involving OOCL and Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as the continuing Strait of Hormuz blockage and its impact on oil, gas, and jet fuel availability. These developments show how trade, shipping, and geopolitics are all connected.

CAPE refund complexity
The biggest portion of the episode focuses on CAPE refund rejections, especially “unable to calculate duty” and sequencing errors. Cindy explains why importers should work closely with their brokers, review PSCs where necessary, and understand how ACE reports and tariff timing affect eligibility.

The meaning of “Happiness”
Cindy uses Taylor Swift’s “Happiness” to reflect the emotional complexity of trade right now. She notes that the industry is experiencing both frustration and opportunity, and that there may be happiness after this difficult season as trade professionals continue to play a bigger role.

Credits
Host: Cindy Allen
Presented by: Global Training Center

 

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

🎙️ Want to Be on the Show?
Have insights on trade compliance, enforcement trends, or real-world execution?

Reach out—we’d love to have you on.

🎧 Hosts

Andy Shiles

Lalo Solorzano

🎤 Guest

Bonnie Kersch, Founder of Magnolia Global Trade Solutions

📅 Published Date
April 30, 2026

⏱️ Episode Length
~37 minutes

📝 Episode Summary
IEEPA duty refunds are creating a major opportunity—but only for companies that know how to navigate CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) correctly.

In this episode of Simply Trade, Andy and Lalo sit down with Bonnie Kersch to break down what CAPE actually means in practice and how importers should be preparing to take advantage of potential refunds.

This isn’t theoretical.

The conversation focuses on:

What CAPE is designed to do

How it applies in the context of IEEPA refunds

What importers need to have in place before taking action

With guidance tied directly to CBP’s latest direction—including the U.S. Customs and Border Protection IEEPA refund guidance—this episode helps translate policy into real-world execution.

🔑 Key Topics Discussed

What CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) actually is

How CAPE connects to IEEPA duty refund opportunities

Why many companies may not be ready to take advantage of refunds

The importance of having accurate entry data and documentation

Operational challenges in identifying eligible entries

The role of internal processes vs. external partners (brokers, systems)

What importers should be doing now to prepare

🧭 CAPE in Practice (From the Episode)
1. Understand What CAPE Is—and Isn’t
CAPE is not just a filing mechanism—it’s a structured way to manage and process entries in a consolidated manner.

👉 Misunderstanding this leads to missed opportunities or incorrect filings.

2. Identify Potentially Impacted Entries
To take advantage of IEEPA refunds, companies need visibility into:

Historical entries

Duty payments

Relevant classifications and applicability

👉 If your data is fragmented, this becomes a major barrier.

3. Validate Eligibility for Refunds
Not every entry will qualify.

This step requires:

Careful review of CBP guidance

Alignment with IEEPA applicability

Internal validation before submission

📌 Reference:
IEEPA Duty Refund Guidance
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/trade-remedies/ieepa-duty-refunds

4. Coordinate Across Teams and Partners
CAPE execution isn’t done in isolation.

It requires coordination between:

Trade compliance teams

Brokers

Finance

Internal data owners

👉 Misalignment here can delay or derail the process.

5. Ensure Documentation & Audit Readiness
Any refund request will need to stand up to scrutiny.

👉 This means having:

Clear records

Supporting documentation

A defensible position

💡 Key Takeaways

CAPE is an operational process—not just a concept
Execution is what determines success.

Data visibility is critical
If you can’t easily access and analyze your entry data, you’re already behind.

IEEPA refunds present real opportunity—but also risk
Companies need to be deliberate, not reactive.

Preparation matters now
Waiting until deadlines or enforcement increases will limit your options.

🚨 Why This Episode Matters
IEEPA-related refund opportunities are time-sensitive and complex.

Companies that:

Don’t understand CAPE

Don’t have their data organized

Or rely solely on third parties

👉 may miss out entirely—or expose themselves to compliance risk.

This episode gives a practical lens on what needs to happen next.

🔗 Resources & Mentions

U.S. Customs and Border Protection IEEPA Refund Guidance:
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/trade-remedies/ieepa-duty-refunds

Magnolia Global Trade Solutions

👏 Credits

Hosts: Andy Shiles & Lalo Solorzano

Guest: Bonnie Kersch

Produced by Global Training Center

🔔 Subscribe & Follow
Stay up to date with the latest in global trade:

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

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

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simplytradepod?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

🤝 Connect With Us
 

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

🎙️ Want to Be on the Show?
Have insights on trade compliance, enforcement trends, or real-world execution?

Reach out—we’d love to have you on.

Hosts:
Renee Chiuchiarelli & Julie Parks

Series:
Tactical vs. Strategic (Series 7)

Episode:
Episode 5 – Demonstrating Strategic Value

Length:
~15 minutes

🎧 Episode Summary
In this final episode of the Tactical vs. Strategic series, Renee and Julie focus on one of the most critical (and often overlooked) skills in trade leadership:

👉 Showing the value of strategic trade

Because here’s the reality—many trade teams are already doing strategic work…
they’re just not showing it in a way leadership understands.

This episode breaks down how to shift from reporting activity (what you did) to demonstrating impact (what changed because of you). From metrics to messaging, this is your guide to making trade visible, measurable, and tied directly to business outcomes.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

Why strategic work often goes unseen

The difference between activity metrics vs. impact metrics

How to translate trade work into business value

Structuring executive-ready dashboards and presentations

Connecting trade decisions to financial outcomes

Building visibility through communication and reporting

📊 Activity vs. Impact Metrics
Activity Metrics (Tactical):

Entries filed

Classifications completed

Trainings delivered

Impact Metrics (Strategic):

Duty savings achieved

FTA utilization rates

Error rate reduction

Cycle time improvements

Audit outcomes

Reduction in manual work

💡 Executives don’t just want to know what you did—
they want to know what changed because of it

🧠 Key Takeaways

Strategic work only matters if it’s visible to leadership

Trade must be:

Operational

Measurable

Defensible

Show trends, not just totals:

Volume increases

Regulatory complexity

Resource constraints

Keep executive reporting:

Simple

Visual

On one slide

Always include:

Goal lines

Status indicators (🟢🟡🔴)

Back up your metrics with clear methodology (especially early on)

💡 How to Communicate Strategic Value

Tie trade activity to:

Landed cost reduction

Risk avoidance

Compliance improvements

Show how trade influences:

Sourcing decisions

Supply chain design

Tariff strategy

Market expansion

Move trade from:
👉 Gatekeeper → Strategic Advisor

📈 Ways to Increase Visibility

Quarterly operations reviews

Trade dashboards with key metrics

Executive briefings on regulatory changes

Participation in sourcing & supply chain strategy

Sharing “wins” (a.k.a. unicorn projects 🦄)

💡 If you’re not communicating your value—
it’s not being seen

🚀 FIO (Figure It Out) – Call to Action
Pick one metric leadership cares about right now:

Cost savings

Risk reduction

Duty avoidance

👉 Start reporting on it consistently

Whether it’s:

A dashboard

A newsletter

A leadership update

The goal is simple:
Shift perception from tactical support → strategic value creation

💬 Join the Conversation
Head over to the Trade Geeks Community and tell us:

What metric did you choose?

How are you reporting it?

Are you starting to see a shift in perception?

🎙️ 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: 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