FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2026
AAEI Releases New Guide on Artificial Intelligence in Trade Compliance
New white paper examines how importers and exporters can harness AI while maintaining human oversight, regulatory accountability and effective internal controls
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) released a new white paper, Artificial Intelligence in Trade Compliance: An Educational Guide of the Trade, examining how artificial intelligence is transforming import and export compliance and providing a practical framework for organizations evaluating and implementing AI-enabled technologies.
AI is increasingly being used across international trade to automate routine processes, analyze large volumes of data, identify potential compliance risks and support more complex decisions. At the same time, U.S. government agencies are deploying advanced technology to strengthen enforcement, identify anomalies and detect potential violations. AAEI’s new guide examines what that changing environment means for companies responsible for maintaining compliant global trade operations.
“Artificial intelligence is no longer a future consideration for the trade community, it is already becoming part of how companies operate and how governments enforce trade laws,” said Eugene Laney, President and CEO of AAEI. “The opportunity for greater efficiency is significant, but so is the need for strong governance, reliable data, and human accountability. This guide is intended to help trade professionals ask the right questions as they evaluate where and how AI belongs in their compliance programs.”
The paper, authored by an AAEI-member led working group of trade professionals, explores practical applications of AI across trade compliance, including classification, free trade agreement qualification, document intake, audits and post-entry review, sanctions screening, regulatory monitoring, supply chain visibility and supplier traceability. It also addresses the risks organizations must consider as AI assumes a greater role in compliance decision-making, including inaccurate or fabricated outputs, data security, server access, regulatory requirements, testing and risk assessment.
A central theme of the guide is that greater automation does not eliminate human responsibility. While AI can perform mechanical work at a scale that human teams cannot match, decisions involving regulatory judgment and material compliance consequences require appropriate human review and accountability. The paper urges companies to establish governance protocols, clearly define which decisions should and should not be automated, continuously test AI systems and preserve records capable of supporting regulatory review.
The new publication builds on AAEI’s broader work examining how technology, data and changing regulatory expectations are reshaping the trade function. In September, AAEI partnered with Altana on The State of Enterprise Trade & Customs Organizations, a Trade Readiness Report based on an independent survey of 230 trade and customs leaders. Together, the two publications underscore a rapidly evolving environment in which trade organizations are being asked to improve visibility, modernize compliance operations and prepare for increasingly technology-driven oversight.
Continuing the Conversation at AAEI’s Fall Virtual Conference
The findings and recommendations of the AI guide will be discussed on October 22 during AAEI’s 2026 Fall Virtual Conference, The New Trade Frontier: Technology, Governance, and Global Risk.
During the session “AI & the Future of Trade Compliance,” trade and technology experts will examine how organizations can move from experimentation to responsible implementation, including the role of human oversight, data governance and internal controls as AI becomes increasingly embedded in trade operations.
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About AAEI: Founded in 1921, the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) is a leading international trade association representing U.S. importers, exporters, and the trade service providers that support them. Through advocacy, education, and industry engagement, AAEI helps companies navigate the complexities of global trade while advancing policies that promote competitiveness and economic growth.
Media Contact: Angela Smith, Director of Marketing & Communications, American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) | [email protected]