Trade & Tech Series – Episode 4

Hosts:

Length: ~12 minutes

In this episode of Simply Trade Tips, Renee Chiuchiarelli and Julie Parks dive into the evolving role of audit automation in global trade compliance — and why traditional, reactive auditing models are no longer enough.

With increased enforcement focus from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Justice, companies can no longer rely on trust-based assertions or post-liquidation corrections. Instead, trade compliance is shifting from passive, after-the-fact reviews to active, continuous validation powered by technology and AI.

Renee and Julie break down how automated audit controls can help companies defend tariff positions, validate origin and classification claims, and identify risk before it becomes an enforcement issue — all while freeing human auditors to focus on higher-value analysis.

Why audit programs are now a regulatory expectation, not a “nice to have”

DOJ and CBP enforcement priorities impacting import compliance

The limits of traditional sample-based audits and post-liquidation fixes

What audit automation really means in trade compliance

Using technology to continuously validate:

Classification

Valuation

Country of origin

FTA eligibility

Trade remedy exposure

How ERP data changes can impact compliance in real time

The importance of defensibility over perfection

Why AI doesn’t replace judgment — it enhances it

Data readiness: understanding what data you actually have before deploying AI tools

Compliance today is about proof, not assertions

Regulators don’t expect zero errors — they expect reasonable, documented controls

Audit automation helps identify risk before entry finalization or liquidation

Technology enables trade teams to review more data with fewer resources

Human auditors are still critical — automation removes low-value tasks so they can focus on what matters most

Defensible audit programs protect both the company and leadership

Pause and kick the tires on audit automation.

Identify one provider or tool

Understand what comparisons they can run using your existing data

Evaluate what low-hanging fruit automation can remove from your auditors’ workload

Use technology to enhance — not replace — human expertise

Even testing one tool can reshape how you think about audit readiness and defensibility.

How are you auditing your trade data today?

Join the discussion in the Trade Geeks Community and let us know how you’re approaching audit automation.

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Producer:

New Simply Trade Tips episodes every Tuesday.

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Global Training Center on LinkedIn

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Spotify

Apple Podcasts

Trade Geeks Community

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