Eric Johnson & Anand Raghavendran discuss this topic at AAEI’s 104th Annual Conference & Trade Day on June 27.
Written by Anand Raghavendran, Chief Product Officer at KlearNow.AI
The acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) in global trade is a timely transformation. It is not just about technology (which has led us to this moment), it is also about meeting the moment, driven by the Trump Administration’s tariff strategy, and the rapidly evolving demands of a changing compliance environment.
AI for the trade compliance professional arrived when the industry needed it most. Anand Raghavendran, CPO at KlearNow, noted, “AI came in at the right time because without it, the reaction time today would have been a lot different and a lot harder to deal with”. The external environment, marked by volatility, regulatory shifts, and global disruptions, has become a catalyst for change. In this context, AI is not the driver but instead an enabler, accelerating responses and creating smarter, faster decisions.
Access to data, especially SKU-level detail, is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. “If you don’t have the information at your fingertips you’re scrambling when the C-suite is looking for guidance on the impact of tariffs” Anand lamented. Having real-time access to systems like ACE and all your data from all your customs brokers globally is critical when tariffs and regulations are changing on what seems like a daily basis. Information buried in SharePoint folders or locked in paper summaries is rendered useless in moments of urgency, like we have today.
We partnered with the world’s largest oil field services company to give them a global compliance control tower that allows near real time strategic data sharing. By combining this clients’ customs documents, parts database, documents like origin certificates, and live shipment data, we enabled one-click global tariff impact reporting. Now, compliance teams perform tariff pre- and post- entry audits in near real time, finance teams accrue duty payouts at the time of shipment creation, logistics tracks containers at the SKU level, and supply chain calculates landed costs. AI transforms raw trade data into strategic insights that are shared across teams the moment shipment docs are uploaded.
Every country is feeling the ripple effects of trade shifts, and companies must be equipped to respond. Because AI easily analyzes historical import data, identifies tariff changes, and gathers planned/existing shipment data, businesses can make immediate and informed decisions to minimize previously unforeseen costs, identify risk, and allow for smarter compliance through strategic data gathering and sharing.
AAEI thanks Eric, Anand, and KlearNow.AI for speaking on this timely topic at AAEI’s 104th Annual Conference & Trade Day. Pre-Sale Registration is available for next year’s conference, for more information and to register, please visit https://bit.ly/4eLv81q.
