Simply Trade

Host: Lori Mullins
Guest(s): Leah Ellis and Dave Corn
Published: October 21, 2026
Length: Approximately 33 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
What happens when a trade policy decision reaches the people responsible for making it work? In this special Simply Trade collaboration with the National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), host Lori Mullins sits down with Legislative Committee Chair Leah Ellis and Co-Chair Dave Corn to connect the daily realities of trade with the conversations taking place on Capitol Hill.

Coming out of NCBFAA’s 2026 Government Affairs Conference, Leah and Dave explain why advocacy is a year-round effort—and why firsthand experience matters when lawmakers are weighing changes. The discussion explores the push for more advance notice before tariff changes, the downstream effects on drawback and the broader duty life cycle, and the challenge of strengthening customs enforcement without making legitimate trade harder to facilitate.

At the center of the conversation is a practical question: Who is best positioned to explain what happens at the entry desk, inside a brokerage operation, or when an importer faces an unexpected change?

Leah and Dave make the case that you do not need a government affairs title to contribute. You need real examples, a willingness to speak up, and the commitment to keep the conversation going after the meeting ends.

Main Topic / Discussion
This episode goes behind the scenes of NCBFAA’s legislative advocacy, showing how members’ operational experiences help inform the association’s conversations with lawmakers.

Lori, Leah, and Dave discuss NCBFAA’s request for at least 30 days’ advance notice of tariff changes, the importance of considering the entire duty life cycle, and the balance between customs enforcement and trade facilitation. Their enforcement discussion includes a verified importer-of-record registry and the position that CBP should determine importer eligibility using government information unavailable to brokers.

They also explain what happens after the Capitol Hill meetings: sharing concrete examples, answering staffers’ questions, maintaining local relationships, and following up throughout the year.

Key Takeaways
• Tariff notice is an operational issue. NCBFAA’s request for at least 30 days of advance notice is about giving brokers, importers, software providers, and CBP time to prepare for implementation.

• The duty life cycle does not end at entry. Dave explains why drawback, corrections, reconciliation, refunds, and recordkeeping need a place in tariff-policy conversations.

• Effective enforcement needs clear responsibilities. The guests support appropriate broker due diligence while arguing that CBP should determine importer eligibility using information brokers cannot access.

• Advocacy requires participation and persistence. Bring real-world examples, get involved through committees and local associations, and follow up with congressional offices after the conference.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center

• NCBFAA Legislative Committee and Committee Directory NCBFAA

• How to Get Involved in an NCBFAA Committee NCBFAA

Credits
Host:
Lori Mullins

Guest(s):
Leah Ellis - LinkedIn
Dave Corn - LinkedIn

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano

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Host: Lalo Solorzano
Guest(s): Josh Rodman, Schulz Trade Law
Published: October 20, 2026
Length: Approximately 18 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
You checked your customer’s name against a restricted-party list. But do you know who owns that company?

In Episode 3 of 90 Days Until 2027, Lalo Solorzano welcomes Josh Rodman of Schulz Trade Law to discuss the BIS affiliates rule and what exporters can do to prepare. Recorded while the rule was suspended, the conversation looks beyond the name on the invoice to ownership structures, potential licensing requirements, and risks that can exist even when a subsidiary is legally separate from its parent.

Josh brings the issue to life through a client’s proposed sale of approximately $250,000 in electrical power equipment to a Chinese-owned subsidiary in Jamaica. The example leads to a critical question: what happens when a deal is signed before a rule takes effect, but the goods ship afterward?

Lalo and Josh also explore the limitations of relying on screening tools alone, the importance of understanding different restricted-party lists, and why uncertainty about implementation is not a reason to postpone preparation.

This week’s tip is to start investigating the ownership of your overseas counterparties now. Understanding those relationships can help your team identify questions that need attention before a transaction reaches the shipping stage.

Main Topic / Discussion
Knowing your customer’s name is not the same as understanding its ownership.

Josh explains how the BIS affiliates rule would extend restrictions to certain unlisted companies based on ownership of 50% or more, including aggregated ownership. His Jamaica example illustrates why a subsidiary’s separate legal identity and location do not answer every export-compliance question.

The discussion also covers export timing, the uncertainty surrounding any future temporary general license, and the possibility that a subsidiary could serve as a route for goods to reach a restricted parent. Josh recommends investigating ownership now and reviewing the distinctions among the Entity List, Military End-User List, and SDN List.

Rule-status clarification — checked October 20, 2026: The published BIS suspension notice runs through November 9, 2026, with reinstatement scheduled for November 10, 2026, absent further action. The possible extension discussed in the recording should not be treated as an announced change. Check for subsequent BIS updates before relying on these dates. Federal Register

Scope clarification: The episode refers broadly to the SDN List. For the BIS affiliates rule specifically, the published text identifies SDN designations under the programs listed in EAR § 744.8(a)(1), rather than every SDN designation. Federal Register

Key Takeaways
• Look beyond the customer’s name. Josh recommends examining ownership layers and percentages—not assuming a name-only screening result resolves the affiliates-rule question.

• Signing a contract does not settle export eligibility. Josh explains why the date of export matters and why any applicable temporary general license would need to be evaluated separately.

• A suspended rule does not eliminate other risks. The conversation highlights diversion concerns when an otherwise separate subsidiary could help an Entity List parent obtain goods.

• Understand what each list actually restricts. Josh encourages exporters to review the Entity List, Military End-User List, and SDN List rather than treating them as interchangeable—or assuming every listing prohibits every kind of business.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center

• Josh Rodman — LinkedIn

• Josh Rodman — Schulz Trade Law

• BIS Affiliates Rule — Published Rule and Scope

• BIS — One-Year Suspension of the Affiliates Rule

• OFAC — 50 Percent Rule FAQs

Follow Simply Trade for updates on companion resources and the planned 90 Days Until 2027 playbook.

This episode provides general educational information and is not legal advice. Verify the requirements applicable to your transaction.

Credits
Host:
Lalo Solorzano

Guest(s):
Josh Rodman - LinkedIn

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano

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Host: Pete Mento and Cindy Allen
Guest(s): N/A
Published: October 16, 2026
Length: ~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 outreach now. Determine who holds foreign export records, add government-cooperation and data-sharing language to contracts, and consider commenting on CBP’s ANPRM before December 1, 2026.

• Evaluate brokers, forwarders, and carriers for their compliance programs, escalation procedures, recordkeeping, and willingness to challenge questionable instructions—not solely their rates and service levels. The importer of record remains ultimately responsible.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center
• VMA26 International Trade Symposium
• Supreme Court Opinion — Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump
• CBP — IEEPA Duty Refunds
• Federal Register — Heightened Import Disclosures for Supply Chain Visibility
• White House — Strengthening Customs Enforcement Fact Sheet

Credits
Host:
Pete Mento
Cindy Allen

Guest(s):
N/A

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano

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Host: Andy Shiles
Guest(s): Grant Sernick, Third Wave
Published: October 15, 2026
Length: Approximately 37 minutes
Presented 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.

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Host: Lalo Solorzano
Guest(s): Federico “Kiko” Zuniga
Published: October13, 2026
Length: Approximately 22 minutes
Presented 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

📢 Subscribe & Follow
Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter.

🎧 Listen on:

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💬 Connect with us:

• Simply Trade

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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