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: Customs Policy and Procedures
Focuses on projects dealing with automation, entry revision, global customs harmonization, trade security, tariff data reporting, ISF, bonds and legislation impacting the trade community. This committee is generally aligned with US CBP’s leadership team.
Committee Targets: Discussion draft of Trade Facilitation legislation; other recent trade bills; progress on Forced Labor compliance; 21CCF; Trusted Trader
2025 Meetings: August 7, October 9
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
2025 Meetings: August 21, October 2, December 4
Trade Focus: Export and Global Trade Compliance
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
2025 Meetings: August 14, October 16
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
2025 Meetings: August 21, October 23
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).
2025 Meetings: September 17 (meeting quarterly)
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
2025 Meetings: August 28, October 30
Interested in any of these topics and/or committee meetings? Become an AAEI member! Find out how to join.
