Trade focus Committees
AAEI committees are the true leaders of the advocacy efforts we champion and support. As a member, you have access to all substantive committees list below to discuss practical solutions to the challenges facing the trade community. Gain valuable insights and lend your voice to the conversation that ultimately generates AAEI trade actions.
All AAEI members in good standing are welcome to attend any and all Trade Focus Committee Meetings.
Trade Focus All Committees Meetings
All Committee Meeting take place on a weekly cadence where AAEI members gather in an open forum to share challenges, exchange resources, and collaborate on solutions to today’s top trade compliance issues. This is an opportunity for AAEI members to connect across committees, contribute their expertise, and gain new insights from fellow members.
Trade Focus: Customs Policy and Procedures
The Customs Policy and Procedures Committee is focused on helping importers and trade service providers navigate customs regulations to support compliant outcomes. We discuss projects dealing with automation, entry processes, global customs harmonization, trade security, changing tariff environment, bonds and legislation impacting the importing community.
Committee Targets: Discussion of trade enforcement regulations and legislation; Forced Labor compliance; customs modernization; CT-PAT; Agreements for Reciprocal Trade
Trade Focus: Drawback and Duty Deferral
Focuses on regulatory changes and administrative problems on same- condition and substitution drawback and special duty deferral programs, such as temporary import bond entries. Its goal is to get the Drawback Modernization Act passed immediately. Generally, matters of concern to Foreign Trade Zones and the Petroleum industry will be discussed, and sub-committees created as needed for specified topics. This group generally aligns with the USG CBP Drawback leadership.
Committee Targets this year: Passage of 1313(j)(5) proposal; privilege application and ruling delays; inconsistencies in direction with drawback filing at The Centers; export manifest for proof of export
Trade Focus: Export Controls
Supports members engaged in U.S. export transactions and members with responsibility for trade operations and trade compliance programs globally. Discussion issues include export controls, sanctions programs, foreign barriers to U.S. exports, and the various regional challenges facing international compliance teams, such as monitoring trade developments around the world and addressing different local standards globally. This committee maintains a close alignment with the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), State Department, International Trade in Arms (ITAR), Census leadership, and the World Customs Organization, as well as leveraging partnerships with regional trade associations.
Committee targets this year: Advocacy for Export Modernization; compliance requirements for international sanctions; global trade compliance; leveraging global partnerships with regional trade associations; World Customs Organization advisory; multilateral trade coalitions
Trade Focus: Industry Verticals
Focuses on the importing and exporting of goods from various industries, including automotive, aerospace, food, chemicals, textiles, apparel, and footwear.
Committee targets this year: One U.S. Government at the Border (1USG); harmonized entry processes for all PGAs; Enforcement of Forced Labor Prevention laws involving apparel and footwear; Canadian “first sale;” Section 301 tariffs; Tracking e-commerce compliance; BIS proposed rule on imports of vehicle connectivity system hardware; Automotive industry concerns, including USMCA rules; streamlining importer compliance for 9808 Military Duty-Free Provision; use of AI in the import process
Trade Focus: Healthcare Industries
Supports members engaged and with responsibility for US trade /import operations including but not limited to FDA, USDA, CBP, other PGAs. This committee maintains a close engagement with legislative bodies and federal agencies to develop guidelines and workable solutions that facilitate the import and export of life saving drugs, biologics (including cell and gene therapies), and medical devices and also assist the agencies to fulfill their mission to ensure public health and safety.
Committee targets this year: Healthcare-specific benchmarking; quarterly meetings with FDA; Improving intended use codes; Recommendations for FDA on Import for Export (IFE).
Trade Focus: Multinational Trade Compliance
The Multinational Trade Compliance Committee serves as AAEI’s forum for companies navigating the complexities of cross-border trade compliance across multiple jurisdictions. The Committee brings together trade professionals from multinational corporations to share best practices, identify emerging regulatory challenges, and develop solutions related to international trade regulations. Through collaboration, benchmarking, and advocacy, the Committee helps shape AAEI’s policy priorities while providing members with timely updates into the evolving global trade environment.
Committee targets: Monitor global trade compliance developments affecting multinational companies; Share best practices and valuable solutions for managing cross-border compliance programs; Identify policy priorities and support AAEI’s advocacy efforts; Provide recurring benchmarking of best practices and org structures; Develop educational programs and resources on emerging trade compliance issues, including the planning of AAEI’s Annual Post-Conference Importer and Exporter Benchmarking session.
Trade Focus: Supply Chain Resiliency
With primary focus on logistical issues impacting Transpacific Trade, this committee would also identify Transpacific trade issues which impact all members.
Committee targets: Supply Chain white paper; Implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023 and the 2022 Ocean Shipping Reform Act; FMC engagement; Demurrage and detention guidelines; supply chain infrastructure
Trade Focus: Trade Policy
Focuses on regional and special trade agreements, multilateral trade negotiations, dumping and countervailing duty issues, competition policy, legislation and macroeconomic policy as it affects international trade.
Interested in any of these topics and/or committee meetings? Become an AAEI member! Find out how to join.