Simply Trade

Host: Annik Sobing
Guests: Jennifer Varney (Volvo Group), Penny Chen (PAX)
Recorded at: ICPA Conference, San Antonio, TX
Published: March 2026
Length: ~25 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

AI Meets Trade Compliance: From Auto Supply Chains to AI

Live from ICPA San Antonio, Annik sits down with Jennifer from Volvo Group and Penny from PAX for an all‑women, International Women’s Day‑timed conversation about how AI is actually being used in trade compliance today—far beyond the buzzwords. They explore the reality of AI inside a massively complex automotive supply chain, how duty drawback is being reimagined with AI, and what trade teams should think about before buying or building any tools.​

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Session highlights from ICPA

Jennifer: Practical implementation of AI to support customs clearance at the enterprise level—how one company uses AI to survive an “ever‑changing and incredibly volatile” trade landscape.

Penny: A “beginner‑friendly” intro to general AI tools, how large language models work, and how trade compliance leaders can evaluate AI quality and fit.​

The automotive reality: 1,000+ policy changes and thousands of parts

In just the last year, there have been 1,000+ trade policy changes worldwide, affecting about 5 trillion dollars in spend.

Most of the real impact comes from trade barrier changes, not facilitation measures.

A single vehicle can have 2,000–3,000 parts sourced from thousands of suppliers globally, some in‑house, some external.

New demands around Section 232 (steel/aluminum/copper), forced labor, EUDR, connected vehicle rules, dual‑use, etc. mean OEMs must know their supply base down to raw material origin and processing, sometimes 5–6 tiers deep.​

Why human-only workflows can’t keep up

Many tier‑1 suppliers don’t even have the data OEMs now must report, or consider it proprietary.

Trade teams are drowning in documentation, entry creation, and ever‑changing regulatory demands—falling behind risks blocked shipments and massive cost.

Jennifer’s view: AI is less about replacing people and more about augmenting limited resources before they’re “buried under all of the legislative changes.”​

Where AI fits in (and where it doesn’t)

Example use case: consolidating multiple documents (PO, invoice, BL, shipping manifest) to build a single 7501—AI reads different formats, extracts the right fields, and populates data so humans review instead of retyping.

Penny’s rule of thumb: if it’s a task you’d happily delegate to an intern, it’s a candidate for automation or semi‑automation.

AI frees people to focus on high‑value work: audits, wider coverage (5% → 99%), forecasting regulatory changes, and adjusting systems/processes for what’s coming next.​

Starting your AI journey: practical adoption path

Step 1: Use free or existing tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot) for summaries, data cleaning, and simple tasks.

Step 2: When needs get more complex, consider specialized AI tools (like PAX’s AI‑powered duty drawback service), but pair them with solid ROI analysis: cost vs. time savings vs. recovered dollars.

Step 3: For large enterprises, begin with defining pain points and a data strategy:

Where do you spend the most time?

Which activity is eating 90% of your bandwidth?

What data will go into AI, and what exactly do you want back out?​

Overcoming fear and building buy‑in

Penny’s take: curiosity is your best ally—if you don’t know how to use AI, start by asking AI how to use AI.

Jennifer’s advice:

Engage stakeholders early; give them a voice in how the tool is designed and used.

Set realistic expectations—even with aggressive automation, maybe only ~30% of workload can be automated today.

Focus human effort on strategy and change management, not repetitive admin.​

Choosing the “right” AI for your team

Not every company needs every AI—e.g., if you classify one item a month, a classification platform may not be worth it.

For trade leaders, tool selection should be guided by:

Where you lose the most time or money.

Data type mix (text + structured data).

Compliance/guardrail needs and vendor transparency about models and controls.

Conferences like ICPA are key: they surface real use cases, connect trade and tech experts, and help teams refine what they actually need.​

International Women’s Day Spotlight
This episode also celebrates International Women’s Day and highlights women leading in trade, tech, and compliance—from OEMs to AI startups. Annik closes with a shoutout to all women in trade who are building, leading, and pushing the industry forward.​

Credits
Host: Annik Sobing
Guests: Jennifer (Volvo Group), Penny (PAX)
Recorded at: ICPA Conference, San Antonio, TX

 

Listen & Subscribe

Simply Trade main page: https://simplytrade.podbean.com​

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690​

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq​

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8de7d7fa-38e0-41b2-bad3-b8a3c5dc4cda/simply-trade​

Connect with Simply Trade

Podcast page: https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast​

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast​

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod​

Join the Trade Geeks Community

Trade Geeks (by Global Training Center): https://globaltrainingcenter.com/trade-geeks/

Host: Cindy Allen
Show: Simply Trade – Cindy’s Version
Published: March 6, 2026
Length: ~13 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Ready For It? CBP’s IEEPA Refund Proposal Drops—Here’s What’s Next

Cindy Allen, CEO of TradeForce Multiplier, dives into the latest trade developments through Taylor Swift’s “Ready For It?”—perfect for the “let the games begin” drama unfolding in IEEPA refund hearings. From DHS shakeups and Section 122 lawsuits to CBP’s just‑filed refund blueprint, Cindy unpacks the mechanics, open questions, and what importers/brokers should do now.​

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

DHS leadership change

Secretary Noem removed; scuttlebutt suggests more exits at DHS/CBP headquarters.

New nominee: Oklahoma senator with broad congressional/President support (not yet formal).​

Section 122 tariff challenges

24 states sue in Court of International Trade, arguing Section 122 doesn’t meet “imbalance of payments” requirement for universal tariffs.

Commerce Secretary Besant hints at 15% rate hikes for specific industries, potentially violating Section 122’s uniform application rule—no movement yet (as of Friday afternoon).​

USMCA signals

Congress supports extension, but President has final say.

Discussions on trilateral vs. bilateral (U.S.–Canada, U.S.–Mexico); some push for 1‑year extension to renegotiate post‑tariff chaos.​

Global disruptions

Iran war halts Strait of Hormuz traffic, backing up oil tankers and vessels reliant on that fuel—broad transportation ripple effects.​

USTR advisory opportunity

Nominations open for 4 USTR trade advisory groups (separate from COAC)—check Federal Register notices.

Chance to influence policy, build government/industry relationships.​

Why “Ready For It?”
Cindy channels Taylor Swift’s “Ready For It?” for the IEEPA refund “dating game” between DOJ, CBP, and CIT:

Federal Circuit rejected government’s 90‑day delay request, remanded immediately to CIT.

CIT hearing (March 4) was “entertaining” bickering—judge ruled no suit needed for non‑final entries and ordered CBP to liquidate without IEEPA duties.

CIT conference (March 6, closed): CBP filed a refund proposal.​

CBP’s IEEPA Refund Proposal Breakdown

How it would work:

Importers file ACE declaration with Excel list of affected entries.

ACE runs validations, auto‑recalculates IEEPA refund.

CBP verifies declaration accuracy.

ACE auto‑liquidates; CBP certifies; Treasury issues refunds (as normal).

Estimated 45 days for CBP programming.​

Open questions:

Entry updates: ACE is system of record—will underlying entry summaries be corrected? (Critical for protests, PSCs, reconciliation, drawback.)

Broker involvement: ABI required? Broker systems need programming? Push/pull updates?

Reconciliation: How handled in bulk process?

PSC/audit impact: Can filers still correct misclassifications post‑bulk liquidation? (Protests harder than PSC.)

Liquidation halt: CBP questions authority to pause during 45‑day programming (hundreds of thousands liquidated March 6).​

Key Takeaways

CIT has jurisdiction; expect CBP proposal review/dialogue—trade associations pushing entry updates.

Programming delays + ABI sync = potential months before refunds flow.

Liquidation is automatic unless stopped—monitor your entries closely.

“Let the games begin”—are you ready for the IEEPA refund process?​

Credits
Host: Cindy Allen

Producer: Annik Sobing 

Listen & Subscribe

Simply Trade main page: https://simplytrade.podbean.com​

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690​

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq​

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8de7d7fa-38e0-41b2-bad3-b8a3c5dc4cda/simply-trade​

Connect with Simply Trade

Podcast page: https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast​

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast​

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod​

Join the Trade Geeks Community

Trade Geeks (by Global Training Center): https://globaltrainingcenter.com/trade-geeks/

Hosts:

Lalo Solorzano

Guests:

Eric Hargraves – Elliott Davis

Cindy Allen – Trade Force Multiplier

Mark Segrist – Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg

Recorded Live At:
The International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) Annual Conference in San Antonio.

Episode Summary
In this special live conference episode, Lalo sits down with three trade experts at the ICPA Annual Conference to unpack one of the biggest trade law developments in years: the Supreme Court ruling limiting the use of IEEPA for tariff authority.

Together, Eric Hargraves, Cindy Allen, and Mark Segrist break down what the decision actually means, how the administration pivoted immediately to other tariff tools, and why importers should not assume refunds are guaranteed.

The conversation dives into the legal fallout, enforcement uncertainty, and compliance strategies companies should be thinking about right now, including protests, litigation strategies, and how trade compliance is rapidly becoming a C-suite level issue.

If you’re trying to understand the real-world impact of the ruling, tariff stacking, and what actions importers should be taking today, this discussion delivers practical insight straight from the conference floor.

Key Takeaways
The Supreme Court Limited Presidential Tariff Authority Under IEEPA
The Court ruled that the president cannot impose tariffs using IEEPA, emphasizing that taxation powers belong to Congress under the Constitution.

The Administration Immediately Pivoted to Other Tools
With IEEPA tariffs struck down, the administration quickly shifted toward Section 122 and other statutory authorities, showing that tariff policy will continue through different mechanisms.

Tariff Stacking and Complexity Are Increasing
Importers now face potential layers of tariffs under Section 232, Section 301, Section 122, and other mechanisms, making duty calculations and compliance far more complex.

Refunds Are Not Guaranteed
Even though the ruling invalidated certain tariffs, experts warn that refunds are not automatic, and companies must actively preserve their rights.

Importers Must Take Action Now
Companies should be monitoring liquidation dates, filing protests when necessary, and considering litigation options to protect their ability to recover duties.

Trade Compliance Is Now a Strategic Function
Trade and customs issues have moved from back-office compliance work to strategic discussions at the executive level, impacting supply chains, costs, and global operations.

Notable Topics Discussed

The Supreme Court decision on IEEPA tariffs

Section 122 as the administration’s immediate fallback tool

How tariff stacking affects real duty rates

Litigation strategies and the growing role of the Court of International Trade

Why companies should file protests and protect their refund rights

The rise of trade compliance as a strategic corporate function

Resources & References

International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA)

ICPA on LinkedIn

ICPA LinkedIn Group

About the Guests
Eric Hargraves
A trade and customs specialist with Elliott Davis who advises companies on navigating complex regulatory frameworks and trade enforcement issues.

Cindy Allen
Founder of Trade Force Multiplier and a leading voice in customs compliance, supply chain strategy, and global trade education.

Mark Segrist
Attorney with Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg focusing on international trade law, customs regulations, and tariff litigation.

Join the Conversation
What do you think this ruling means for importers and future tariff policy?

Join the discussion and share your thoughts with the Simply Trade community.

Credits
Host:
Lalo Solorzano

Guests:

Eric Hargraves

Cindy Allen

Mark Segrist

Produced by:
Global Training Center

Subscribe & Follow
Follow Simply Trade to stay updated on the latest insights in global trade and customs compliance.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simplytradepod

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690

Connect With Us

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

Andy Shiles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyshiles/

Global Training Center: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-training-center

Join the Trade Geeks community:
https://globaltrainingcenter.com/portal/

Hosts: Renee Chiuchiarelli & Julie Parks
Length: ~15 minutes
Format: Simply Trade Tips

Episode Summary
Welcome to Series 6 of Simply Trade Tips.

This series tackles a foundational — and often overlooked — issue in global trade:

Where does Customs actually sit inside your organization?

In this opening episode, Renee and Julie lay the groundwork by breaking down the three most common organizational structures and how each one impacts customs operations, compliance authority, budgeting, and risk management.

Because here’s the truth:

Customs rarely fails because people don’t care.
It fails because it’s structurally misaligned.

This episode sets the foundation for understanding how org structure dictates decision-making, funding, escalation paths, and ultimately — compliance outcomes.

Why Org Structure Matters for Customs
Customs sits in the middle of everything:

Procurement

Finance

Logistics

Legal

Tax

Sales & contracts

Export operations

Yet it rarely “owns” all the decisions that affect it.

That misalignment can create compliance gaps, conflicting priorities, and operational tension between speed and governance.

Follow the money. Follow the reporting lines. That’s where risk lives.

The Three Core Organizational Structures
1️⃣ Centralized (Functional) Structure
Definition:
Departments operate in defined lanes (Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Sales), each with its own leadership.

Where Customs Usually Sits:

Under Supply Chain

Under Legal

Occasionally under a dedicated Trade Compliance function

Upside:

Clear ownership

Defined reporting line

Often its own budget (if structured well)

Downside:

Under Supply Chain → can become overly execution-focused (velocity & cost driven)

Under Legal → can become overly compliance-focused and disconnected from operations

If no independent budget → strategy becomes fragmented

Key theme: Budget authority drives strategic control.

2️⃣ Decentralized (Divisional) Structure
Definition:
Trade responsibilities are spread across business units, regions, or product lines.

Each division may manage its own customs activity.

Upside:

Faster decision-making

Direct access to business leaders

Local agility

Downside:

Inconsistent processes across divisions

Requires corporate oversight or council to maintain standards

Heavy reliance on influence rather than authority

This model works — but it requires strong coordination and governance discipline.

3️⃣ Matrix (Hybrid) Structure
Definition:
Dual reporting lines — often operationally to Supply Chain, dotted line to Legal, Tax, or Finance.

This is where many global organizations land.

Reality of the Matrix:

Multiple “bosses”

Consensus-driven decisions

Speed vs. compliance tension

Performance reviews may not align with dotted-line accountability

Success in a matrix requires:

Clear budget ownership

Clear escalation paths

Strong consensus-building skills

Mature leadership alignment

Without alignment, it becomes a tug-of-war between execution and governance.

Customs Operations vs. Customs Compliance
A critical distinction discussed in this episode:

Customs Operations:

Entry filings

ACE submissions

Broker management

Day-to-day problem solving

Customs Compliance:

Classification governance

Valuation methodology

Origin policy

Audit strategy

Risk tolerance

Julie and Renee strongly advocate for structural separation of these roles — even in small teams.

Why?

Operations finds errors.
Compliance fixes root causes.
Both must cross-communicate consistently.

When they don’t align, friction, inefficiency, and risk increase.

Real-World Red Flags
Renee and Julie call out four common structural warning signs:

🚩 1. Customs buried too deep
Under logistics, contracts, or sales without escalation authority.

🚩 2. Broker “owns” compliance
Brokers file entries — they do not own your risk.

🚩 3. No executive sponsor
A sponsor is not a cheerleader — it’s a leader who clears roadblocks and escalates risk appropriately.

🚩 4. Customs is not the budget holder
If you don’t control funding, you don’t control strategy.

The Big Takeaway
There is no “perfect” structure.

Centralized, decentralized, and matrix models can all work.

But maturity shows up in:

Clear decision rights

Budget authority

Executive sponsorship

Alignment between operations and compliance

Structure doesn’t eliminate risk.
Misalignment creates it.

This Episode’s FIO (Figure It Out)
Take a hard look at your organization:

Which structure are you operating in — centralized, decentralized, or matrix?

What’s working well?

Where are the structural gaps?

Who holds the budget and escalation authority?

Because you can’t fix what you haven’t identified.

Future episodes in this series will focus on how to modernize or optimize each model — whether through small tweaks or major reorgs.

Join the Conversation
Where does Customs sit in your organization?

And more importantly — is it positioned for influence or just paperwork?

Let us know inside the Trade Geeks Community or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Credits
Hosts:
Renee Chiuchiarelli
Julie Parks

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano

🎧 Subscribe & Follow
New Simply Trade Tips episodes every Tuesday.

Presented by Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, and compliance resources for trade professionals worldwide.

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Host: Annik Sobing
Guest: Kenneth G. Peters
Published: February 2026
Length: ~20 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

GTM Software Prep: Don't Install Until You've Done These 3 Things First

In this Simply Trade Roundup, Annik talks with Kenneth G. Peters, President at MIC US and Director of Commercial Operations in North America, about Global Trade Management (GTM) software—specifically, what trade teams must do before implementation to avoid creating “digital chaos.” Ken shares real talk from his ATCC presentation on data cleanup, process mapping, and testing, plus why “cleaning your data like you're hosting the in-laws” is now his signature advice. Shoutout to Alison for the killer slides.​

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Ken’s new grandpa status (the little guy is 7 months old—congrats!) and why it’s the “next step in life” that keeps him energized for trade tech.​

The #1 mistake companies make with GTM software

Data cleanup first: Don’t dump junk into GTM. Scrub inactive vendors, obsolete parts, invalid HS codes (like 111111 or all zeros). Clean it like you're hosting the in-laws—no mess allowed.

Why: GTM amplifies what you give it. Bad data in = faster mistakes out.​

Avoid the “Big Bang” implementation trap

Don’t try to do everything at once (denied party screening + classification + FTA rules + solicitation).

Start small:

Classification (builds the foundation—parts, HS codes, values).

Denied party screening (uses your vendor/part data).

FTA analysis (relies on classification/HS from step 1).

Why: Master data dependencies mean you build once and reuse everywhere.​

Processes over pixels

GTM won’t fix broken workflows. Map your processes before going live.

If your current setup is emailing Excel files between systems, you’re not automating—you’re digitizing chaos.

True automation: ERP ↔ GTM via SFTP, APIs, XML—no human hands on keyboards. Reduces errors, speeds everything up.​

Who owns what after go‑live

MIC US (GTM provider): Manages the software backend—reg updates, HS databases, platform maintenance.

Your team: Owns the process (classification, entry creation, decision‑making). Someone still reviews outputs for accuracy.

No “managed services” from MIC—GTM is a tool, not a full‑service outsource.​

Testing: where most implementations fail

Allocate real time and resources to testing—don’t rush it.

Test end‑to‑end: data flow, workflows, edge cases.

Why: Skipped or rushed testing = live problems that cost more to fix later.​

“If your systems are emailing Excel files to each other, you're not automating”

Ken’s golden rule: Hands‑off data flow (ERP → GTM) eliminates errors.

Excel handoffs = manual errors waiting to happen.​

Key Takeaways

Clean data first: Active parts, valid HS, no ghosts—GTM makes good data shine and bad data explode.​

Start small, build smart: Classification → screening → FTA, not “big bang everything.”​

Fix processes before pixels: GTM won’t save broken workflows; it speeds them up.​

Testing = non‑negotiable: Rushed testing = expensive live fixes.​

GTM is a force multiplier—if your foundation is solid.​

Credits
Host: Annik Sobing
Guest: Kenneth G. Peters, President, MIC US

Producer: Annik Sobing 

Listen & Subscribe

Simply Trade main page: https://simplytrade.podbean.com​

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690​

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq​

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8de7d7fa-38e0-41b2-bad3-b8a3c5dc4cda/simply-trade​

Connect with Simply Trade

Podcast page: https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast​

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast​

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod​

Join the Trade Geeks Community

Trade Geeks (by Global Training Center): https://globaltrainingcenter.com/trade-geeks/