U.S. export controls are becoming more complex — especially for universities, research institutions, and technology-driven organizations operating in global environments. In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho is joined by Dr. Jennifer Saak, Managing Director of Traliance, to break down how export controls actually show up in research and innovation-focused settings.

With more than 25 years of experience in export controls compliance and scientific research, Jennifer explains why export classification under the EAR is one of the most challenging aspects of compliance, how deemed exports work in practice, and why compliance officers need to be embedded earlier in research and product development processes.

The conversation also explores how organizations can stay ahead of rapidly changing export control regulations, including executive orders, emerging technology controls, and evolving enforcement trends affecting universities and nonprofit research organizations. Jennifer shares practical guidance on systematizing export compliance workflows, building trust with researchers, and using government and industry tools more effectively.

This episode is especially relevant for export compliance officers, research administrators, university compliance teams, and global trade professionals navigating export controls in academic and R&D environments.

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) is often presented as a way to simplify imports—but does it actually reduce risk for U.S. buyers?
In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho is joined by Andrea Jeglum, customs attorney and licensed customs broker at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, to break down the legal, financial, and operational realities of buying DDP.
Andrea explains what DDP means under Incoterms 2020, why suppliers may appear to pay lower duties, and why U.S. buyers can still face customs scrutiny even when they are not the importer of record. The conversation also explores enforcement trends, including the growing use of the False Claims Act, and why “trust but verify” is critical in DDP arrangements.
Listeners will come away with a practical framework for evaluating whether DDP makes sense—grounded in the fundamentals of tariff classification, country of origin, and declared value.
This episode is essential listening for trade compliance professionals, importers, and supply chain leaders navigating tariff volatility and importer-of-record risk.

Export compliance shouldn’t be full of surprises — but too often, it is.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho sits down with Sarah Massie, Founder and President of S Massie Consulting, to unpack the rules exporters deal with every day but rarely feel confident about.

Sarah brings more than 20 years of experience in international business, ITAR/EAR guidance, and export compliance training. She breaks down the BIS and OFAC 50% rules, anti-boycott requirements, and common misconceptions around military end users — all in a way that’s clear, practical, and refreshingly non-intimidating.

If you’ve ever felt blindsided by the “rules you didn’t know you needed to know,” this conversation will help you rethink how you screen customers, train your teams, and build a compliance program that actually works.

Whether you’re a small manufacturer or a global exporter, you’ll walk away with actionable insights — and far fewer surprises.

BITE

Sarah Massie

Trade compliance is evolving — fast.
In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho speaks with Tosca Derrick, Director of Global Trade Compliance at Bunzl Distribution, about how technology, leadership, and context are reshaping the future of global trade.

Tosca shares 20+ years of experience in customs and import/export operations, from classifying products at UPS to leading compliance across 23 global businesses. Together, they discuss:

• How automation is transforming trade compliance

• The strategic role of classification and tariff engineering

• Building stronger compliance programs through technology and data

• The rise of women leaders in international trade (OWIT North Texas)

• Why trade professionals are no longer the roadblock — they’re the roadmap

Whether you work in customs compliance, global trade, or supply chain risk management, this episode offers real-world insights on adapting to change, leading with strategy, and leveraging tools that matter.

What happens when a century-old trade provision suddenly disappears? In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho sits down with Agustin Farias of Passport Global to unpack the sweeping changes to U.S. de minimis rules — once a cornerstone of cross-border e-commerce.

Agustin brings more than two decades of experience helping Fortune 100 retailers and international brands expand across borders, optimize logistics, and navigate compliance. Together, we explore:

• The history of de minimis — from $1 in 1930 to $800 in 2015 — and its 2025 elimination

• How the February, May, and August policy changes disrupted millions of shipments and entire supply chains

• The operational and strategic challenges facing e-commerce and DTC brands, from tariff costs to forced labor compliance

• How innovative brands are adapting — from sourcing shifts and duty drawback programs to AI-driven product classification

If you’re in e-commerce, logistics, or trade compliance, this conversation is a must-listen. Change is the new norm, but with the right strategy, businesses can turn disruption into opportunity.

What do baby gorillas, timber exports, and corporate risk advisory have in common? In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho is joined by William Brown, Eric Stouch, and Elisabeth Frick of Focused Conservation and Akili Alliance, to explore how wildlife trafficking is evolving — and how law enforcement, technology, and business intelligence can work together to stop it. From fake CITES certificates and animal cover loads to capacity building in African wildlife crime units, this conversation spans continents and sectors to spotlight what's really driving illegal trade — and what we can do about it.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho is joined by Thariq Kara, Co-Founder of BITE, and special guest Ruta Riley, a experienced international trade attorney, to break down the critical compliance challenges facing technology startups today. From export controls to sanctions and supply chain risk, this conversation highlights the high stakes of getting trade compliance wrong—and the business advantages of getting it right.

Ruta explains what constitutes an export (hint: it’s more than just shipping hardware), and walks through key regulations like ITAR, EAR, and OFAC. The discussion covers how startups can proactively screen for risk, build compliance into their design and supply chain processes, and use automation to avoid costly enforcement actions. Thariq weighs in on the government’s increasing use of data and automation, and why early compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about unlocking global growth.

Whether you're working on semiconductors, AI, or any dual-use tech, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world insight to help your startup navigate trade compliance with confidence.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, Anne sits down with Beth Lomax, founder of Lomax Associates and a expert trade compliance consultant specializing in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Beth walks us through her career journey—from early roles in procurement to leading global trade compliance at Novartis and now advising companies across the life sciences industry.

We dive into the unique regulatory landscape pharma companies face, including the roles of the FDA, USDA, DEA, and even the Fish & Wildlife Service. Beth shares why classifying Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (the chemical compounds responsible for a drug’s effects) requires specialized knowledge, how manufacturing constraints impact compliance decisions, and what companies need to know about potential new tariffs.

We also touch on practical tools, resource limitations for smaller firms, and the value of even basic automation to support compliance efforts. Whether you're new to trade compliance or navigating complex pharma supply chains, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, we sit down with Kathleen Newell, Massachusetts Export Center, to talk about what it really takes to build a trade compliance program that works—especially for small and mid-sized businesses.

Kathleen walks us through:

• How to form a cross-functional compliance team

• Key program elements like classification, screening, and recordkeeping

• The importance of training and internal audits

• Free and low-cost government and industry resources available to businesses in Massachusetts, and nationally

She also shares practical advice on tailoring compliance programs to fit your company’s size, industry, and risk profile—plus tips for staying ahead of regulatory change in 2025.

Whether you're building a program from scratch or tightening up your existing controls, this episode is packed with actionable insights and support you didn’t know you had access to.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, hosts Anne Riitho & Thariq Kara sit down with eCommerce and supply chain expert Lila Landis to discuss the changing face trade. Lila shares her career journey and how professionals can stand out.

We explore what’s changed in eCommerce—from shifting regulations to new tech trends—and why it matters for the future of global trade. Lila also offers practical advice for the trade community on staying compliant, competitive, and ready for what’s next.

Topics Covered:

• Building a career in trade

• How eCommerce is reshaping supply chains and compliance

• Actionable insights for trade professionals

Tune in for a thoughtful and forward-looking conversation with one of the industry’s sharpest voices.