Simply Trade

Hosts:

Published: March 2026

In this episode of Simply Trade Tips, hosts Renee Chiuchiarelli and Julie Parks dive deeper into one of the most overlooked drivers of trade compliance success: organizational structure.

While many trade professionals focus on technical issues like classification, valuation, or origin rules, Renee and Julie explain that the real barrier to execution is often structural — specifically who owns the budget, who sponsors the program, and how decision-making authority is distributed across the organization.

They explore how trade leaders can navigate internal structures, align their messaging with different departments, and build the relationships necessary to secure funding and remove roadblocks.

Because in global trade, having the right expertise isn’t enough — you also need the right organizational support to make things happen.

• Why organizational structure can make or break a trade compliance program

When the trade team owns the budget, they can prioritize projects based on compliance risk and operational need.

But when another department controls the budget, trade leaders must frame requests in terms that matter to that function — whether that’s ROI, operational efficiency, or system modernization.

Different departments evaluate trade initiatives through their own lens:

• Finance: ROI, penalties avoided, dollars recovered

Understanding these priorities can dramatically improve the chances of getting initiatives funded.

An executive sponsor is not simply someone who encourages the program.

A real sponsor:

• Clears organizational roadblocks

The right sponsor can dramatically increase the effectiveness of a trade compliance program.

Trade rarely sits perfectly within one department. That means trade leaders often need multiple relationships across the organization to make initiatives successful.

For example:

• Trade under logistics may benefit from a legal sponsor

These partnerships create the influence needed to move compliance initiatives forward.

“A real sponsor isn’t a cheerleader — it’s someone who clears the roadblocks.”

Have you experienced organizational roadblocks in your trade program?

How is your compliance team structured — and does it help or hinder your work?

Share your thoughts with the Simply Trade community.

Hosts:

Julie Parks

Producer:

New Simply Trade Tips episodes every Tuesday.

Presented by:

Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn

Global Training Center on LinkedIn

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Host: Annik Sobing

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.​

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.​

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

Listen & Subscribe

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Join the Trade Geeks Community

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Host: Cindy Allen

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.​

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.​

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.​

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).​

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

Producer: Annik Sobing 

Listen & Subscribe

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Connect with Simply Trade

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

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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:

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.

The Court ruled that the president cannot impose tariffs using IEEPA, emphasizing that taxation powers belong to Congress under the Constitution.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA)

ICPA on LinkedIn

ICPA LinkedIn Group

Eric Hargraves

Cindy Allen

Mark Segrist

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.

Host:

Guests:

Eric Hargraves

Cindy Allen

Mark Segrist

Produced by:

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

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Hosts: Renee Chiuchiarelli & Julie Parks

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.

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

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.

Definition:

Where Customs Usually Sits:

Under Supply Chain

Under Legal

Occasionally under a dedicated Trade Compliance function

Clear ownership

Defined reporting line

Often its own budget (if structured well)

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.

Definition:

Each division may manage its own customs activity.

Faster decision-making

Direct access to business leaders

Local agility

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.

Definition:

This is where many global organizations land.

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.

A critical distinction discussed in this episode:

Entry filings

ACE submissions

Broker management

Day-to-day problem solving

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.

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

Renee and Julie call out four common structural warning signs:

Under logistics, contracts, or sales without escalation authority.

Brokers file entries — they do not own your risk.

A sponsor is not a cheerleader — it’s a leader who clears roadblocks and escalates risk appropriately.

If you don’t control funding, you don’t control strategy.

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.

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.

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.

Hosts:

Producer:

New Simply Trade Tips episodes every Tuesday.

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

Listen & subscribe:

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Host: Annik Sobing

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.​

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.​

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

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/

Host: Cindy Allen

All Too Well: One Week Post-IEEPA, Still Not Fine at All

One week after the Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs, Cindy Allen, CEO of TradeForce Multiplier, delivers the latest update through the lens of Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well.” She breaks down the lingering uncertainty—“I know it’s long gone and the magic’s not here no more… I might be okay, but I’m not fine at all”—and what importers, brokers, and service providers should do next amid shutdowns, pending bills, and shifting tariff authorities.​

Legislative landscape

Three new bills introduced on IEEPA refunds: two support refunds for importers; one opposes and ties refunds to consumers (challenging in practice).

Other pending bills (eliminating first sale, non‑resident importer status, new licensing program) are unlikely to move soon.

IEEPA refund bills could gain traction if courts rule against refunds—watch for Congress to act.​

DHS shutdown impacts

Ongoing due to budget issues; most CBP personnel are working without pay (be kind!).

Trade interactions limited as “non‑essential”: canceled meetings, no new conference appearances.

TSA PreCheck spared (shutdown threat revoked); Global Entry inactive due to staffing.​

CBP updates and waits

Still awaiting Section 232 valuation guidance for steel/aluminum/copper derivatives—current CBP direction conflicts with executive order language.

Trade associations have jointly requested clarity; no response yet.​

Administration signals

New trade deals now using Section 122 authority instead of IEEPA.

Acceleration planned for remaining 232 investigations and new 301 actions—structured processes with timelines, public input, and notice (no more Friday night surprises).​

Cindy ties the week to Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well,” capturing trade’s emotional whiplash:

IEEPA is “long gone,” but the “magic” of predictability isn’t back.

Importers, attorneys, and consultants are swamped with “What now?” calls—Cindy’s attended 5+ webinars with no clear answers.

The trade isn’t “fine”—we’re in uncharted territory.​

IF refunds happen: Supreme Court remanded to lower court, likely landing at Court of International Trade (CIT). Prevailing view: no legal basis to withhold refunds, but scope (“which refunds?”) is unclear.​

HOW to get refunds:

Two paths debated: 1581(i) (equitable jurisdiction—broad refunds for all) vs. 1581(a)(denied protests only).

Post-summary corrections rejected by CBP—don’t try now.

FedEx filed CIT action to protect refund rights.

Recommendation: talk to an attorney for tailored advice.​

WHEN to act:

Government has 25 days for rehearing request (unlikely); ~7 days admin time; then CIT jurisdiction (~32 days total from Supreme Court).

File protests now if entries liquidate soon to preserve rights (CIT may require it under 1581(a)).

If no imminent liquidations, wait—process could take months or a year+.

Pack patience; this is a long haul.​

IEEPA tariffs are history, but uncertainty reigns—new authorities (Section 122, accelerated 232/301) fill the gap.​

Support CBP/TSA workers during shutdown—they’re on the job unpaid.​

Consult an attorney ASAP for refund strategy; don’t sleep on protest deadlines.​

No quick fixes ahead—trade pros need patience and planning.​

Credits

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:

Episode Length: ~ 44 min.

The Supreme Court has ruled on the use of IEEPA tariffs — and the trade community immediately started asking the same question:

Now what?

In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo and Andy break down what the SCOTUS decision really means (and just as importantly, what it does not mean). They walk through the operational, financial, and compliance implications for importers, including refund strategies, protests, PSC filings, and what role the Court of International Trade may still play.

This is not a political conversation — it’s a practical one.

If you’re an importer, broker, trade attorney, or compliance leader trying to understand next steps, this episode gives you the strategic roadmap.

What the Supreme Court actually ruled on regarding IEEPA

What this decision does not affect (Section 232, 301, etc.)

Whether importers should file PSCs, protests, or wait

The role of the Court of International Trade (CIT)

Refund timing and cash flow implications

The possibility of alternative tariff authorities (including Section 122)

Why internal data analysis is critical right now

How compliance programs can prepare for future shifts

For companies that paid duties under IEEPA authority, this decision could mean:

Significant refund opportunities

Strategic filing decisions

Litigation exposure

Executive-level reporting requirements

Reassessment of long-term sourcing strategy

But acting too quickly — or without data — could create unnecessary risk.

Lalo and Andy emphasize that now is the time for:

Data gathering

Executive briefings

Controlled decision-making

Clear documentation

A strong compliance foundation

Don’t assume automatic refunds — process matters.

Evaluate PSC vs. protest options carefully.

Monitor CIT developments closely.

Keep leadership informed with quantified impact analysis.

Use this moment to strengthen your compliance framework.

U.S. Supreme Court: Supreme Court Decision on IEEPA

U.S. Court of International Trade: https://www.cit.uscourts.gov

Global Training Center: https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com

Trade Geeks Community: https://globaltrainingcenter.com/portal/

🎙️ Hosts:

🎬 Production & Media:

🎧 Podcast:

🎧 YouTube:

🎧 Spotify:

🎧 Apple Podcasts:

🔹 Lalo Solorzano

🔹 Andy Shiles

🔹 Global Training Center LinkedIn

Have a perspective on trade developments, compliance strategy, or real-world implementation challenges? Reach out — we’d love to feature voices from across the industry.

Series 5 – Episode 6

Hosts:

Length: ~12 minutes

In this final installment of the Trade & Tech series, Renee and Julie deliver what many listeners have been asking for:

👉 Who should we call when we’re ready to automate?

This episode serves as a practical cheat sheet — a high-level recap of the key categories of trade technology and the types of providers operating in each space.

From product and entity data to import/export execution, learning platforms, and audit analytics, Renee and Julie walk through where automation fits, what problems it solves, and what types of solutions companies are leveraging today.

They also emphasize an important disclaimer: the trade tech space is evolving rapidly. New entrants are emerging, existing platforms are expanding capabilities, and buyers should always conduct current research before issuing an RFP.

The goal of this episode isn’t endorsement — it’s orientation.

Across this series, one theme remained constant:

Trade is too complex to run on spreadsheets forever.

Technology doesn’t replace trade professionals — it strengthens them.

Clean data drives better decisions.

Automation builds structure, execution, capability, and proof.

Trade programs often rely on tribal knowledge and heroics

Technology introduces structure

Data in → Decisions out → Proof stored

Focus: Organizing trade requirements at the product and company level

Categories discussed:

Classification & denied party screening platforms

End-to-end compliance tools with workflow and audit logs

Supplier onboarding and traceability tools (including UFLPA and CTPAT support)

Supply chain intelligence platforms

Broker-enabled onboarding tools

Key takeaway:

Focus: Running the day-to-day engine

Areas covered:

Entry filing & broker connectivity

Document management & visibility

Transportation Management Systems (TMS)

Export controls & licensing workflows

Leveraging broker and forwarder technology stacks

Important reminder:

Focus: Building capability

Calendar training vs. real-time (inflow) learning

Role-based, embedded, and trackable education

LMS integration and audit defensibility

Continuous reinforcement vs. one-time onboarding

Learning isn’t a side activity — it’s infrastructure.

Focus: Proof and defensibility

Automation supports:

Classification consistency

Valuation flags

FTA claims validation

PGA data checks

Entry accuracy monitoring

Tools often connect to:

GTM platforms

ERP systems

Broker data feeds

ACE data

Business intelligence dashboards

Bottom line:

If you remember nothing else from this series:

Product & entity tech gives you structure.

Import/export tech gives you execution.

Learning tech gives you capability.

Auditing tech gives you proof.

Start where the pain is greatest:

Too many manual screening hits? → Automate denied party screening

Supplier questionnaire chaos? → Traceability tools

Entry surprises or duty errors? → Execution platforms

Constant fire drills? → Auditing & monitoring tools

And don’t forget:

Your customs broker or freight forwarder may already offer automation tools embedded in their services — often more cost-effective than standalone implementation.

Ask your broker or freight forwarder:

👉 What automation tools are already available to us?

Sometimes the first step isn’t buying new software — it’s using what you already have.

Which area of trade automation are you prioritizing in 2026?

Structure? Execution? Capability? Proof?

Join us inside the Trade Geeks Community and let us know where you’re starting.

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Host: Annik Sobing

IEEPA Tariffs Struck Down: What Importers Can Do Now (and What They Still Can’t)

In this Simply Trade Roundup, Annik talks with Scott Sorenson, CEO of SIDA Brokerage, about the Supreme Court’s decision that the president exceeded his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad, revenue‑raising tariffs—and what that actually means for importers on the ground. They unpack which tariffs are impacted, what stays in place, key timing details, the refund question, and how duty drawback fits into all of it.​

What the Supreme Court actually decided

Why the Court held that tariffs are fundamentally a tax, and that power belongs to Congress unless clearly delegated by statute.

How the ruling targets IEEPA‑based tariffs, not all tariffs.​

Which tariffs are affected—and which are not

Impacted:

The 2025 “drug trafficking” (fentanyl) tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China (25% under an emergency declaration).

The later “reciprocal” tariffs, also imposed under IEEPA, with rates starting at 10% and going higher based on perceived trade imbalances.

Not impacted:

Section 232 (steel/aluminum) and Section 301 tariffs introduced in Trump’s first term (2018–2019), which remain in place and were not struck down.​

Key timing: when IEEPA tariffs actually stop

CBP will stop collecting IEEPA tariffs on goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after 12:00 a.m. Eastern, February 24, 2026.

Goods entering or withdrawn before that time (including February 23) are still being charged IEEPA duties, despite the Court’s ruling—creating a frustrating “limbo” day for importers.​

The big unknown: refunds on IEEPA duties

It is still unclear whether, and how, importers can obtain refunds of IEEPA tariffs already paid.

Many trade attorneys are advising against simple protests and instead suggesting participation in, or filing of, Court of International Trade lawsuits as the likely avenue—though eligibility and timelines remain unsettled.

Open questions include whether only parties that joined lawsuits before the Supreme Court decision will qualify, and how any refund mechanism would practically work given estimates of over 100 billion dollars collected.​

New 15% global tariff under Section 122

Following the ruling, President Trump announced a 10% global tariff, then quickly raised it to 15%, on top of all existing non‑IEEPA tariffs.

This measure relies on Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows the president to impose tariffs for up to 150 days.

Scott expects this to serve as a bridge while the administration seeks a longer‑term, more permanent tariff framework—possibly through new legislation or other authorities.​

Duty drawback: where it fits and where it doesn’t

Duty drawback basics: refunds of duties/tariffs on imported goods that are later exported or destroyed, a program that has existed for nearly 250 years and has become more critical as tariffs have risen.

Inconsistencies across programs:

Fentanyl/“drug trafficking” IEEPA tariffs were explicitly ineligible for drawback.

Reciprocal IEEPA tariffs were eligible.

Section 232 tariffs are not eligible; Section 301 tariffs are.

For the new Section 122 15% tariffs, eligibility will likely depend on whether they are explicitly excluded in future guidance. Historically, exclusions have been clearly spelled out, so silence may mean eligibility.​

Drawback vs. potential IEEPA refunds

Drawback is separate from any Supreme Court‑related IEEPA refund mechanism.

Importers that already claimed drawback on IEEPA‑burdened goods and later receive a broader IEEPA refund would need to avoid double dipping—likely refunding drawback amounts if they also get a full tariff refund via litigation/settlement.

For importers that don’t export, drawback isn’t an option, so any recovery depends entirely on whatever refund path, if any, emerges for IEEPA tariffs.​

Should you start or expand a drawback program now?

Scott’s answer: yes, especially if you export.

Reasons:

Tariff volatility is likely to continue, and the administration has signaled interest in more and longer‑term tariffs.

Drawback is one of the few mitigation tools that works retroactively, not just going forward.

Setting up a drawback program and getting CBP approval takes time; starting now puts you closer to the front of the line for future refunds.​

The Supreme Court has ended IEEPA’s use as a broad revenue tool, but IEEPA tariffs are only stopping prospectively as of February 24, and refund mechanics for the past year remain unresolved.​

Section 232 and 301 tariffs are untouched and remain fully in force; the tariff landscape is far from “back to normal.”​

A new 15% Section 122 global tariff is already in play and may evolve into something more permanent, so importers should plan for continued elevated duty costs.​

Duty drawback remains a powerful, underused mitigation strategy—especially given the uncertainty around IEEPA refunds and future tariffs.​

Presented by: Global Training Center​

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