The Refund Trap: Recovery, Risk, and the New Reality of Trade Compliance

The Refund Trap: Recovery, Risk, and the New Reality of Trade Compliance

In Episode 5 of The Trade and Tech Podcast, we dig into one of the most urgent questions facing importers right now: when does a duty refund turn into a compliance trap? Emil and Tom are joined by Rennie Alston, CEO of the Alston Group and American River Group, and Michael Roll, Partner at Roll & Harris LLP. Together, they unpack how CAPE and automated liquidation are changing CBP’s visibility into importer data, why refund claims often surface unrelated compliance issues, and what compliance teams should be telling leadership before rushing to file.

Rebuilding Global Trade: Risk, Regulation, and the Future of Trade Tech

Emil and Tom sit down with Caspian CEO Justin Sherlock to unpack how AI is changing customs compliance, duty refunds, and supply chain visibility—and why human judgment still matters. Justin shares how Caspian structures messy trade data to help more than 500,000 US importers uncover duty savings, even without dedicated trade teams. We also explore the evolving role of customs brokers, the drag of legacy systems, and how leaders can balance innovation with rising regulatory scrutiny. Essential listening for trade executives, compliance teams, and trade tech founders navigating what comes next.

A Ruling With Ripple Effects: The Supreme Court Tariff Case and What Comes Next

Emil and Tom are joined by Cameron Roberts, Esq., Partner at Roberts & Kehagiaras and Licensed Customs Broker, to unpack the Supreme Court tariff case everyone in trade is watching. Their conversation breaks down the legal arguments and the government’s justifications surrounding the tariffs, how the Court’s decision could reshape tariff authority, and practical recommendations for companies trying to plan ahead amid continued uncertainty.

Can AI Really Classify Like a Broker? Inside The Technology Shaping Global Trade

On this episode of the Trade & Tech Podcast, we’re tackling one of the biggest misconceptions in global trade: most AI tools are not built for customs. Tom and Emil sat down with Gaia’s CTO Carlos Alzate (ex–IBM Research, ex–AI Fund with Andrew Ng) to break down why generic AI platforms fall apart in classification and compliance, what AI can actually do today for brokers and importers, and what breakthroughs are coming next.

From Tariff Storms to AI Breakthroughs: The Trade Year No One Saw Coming

In the premiere episode of the Trade and Tech Podcast, Emil Stefanutti and Tom Gould chat with industry veterans Steve Bozicevic (CEO, A&A Customs Brokers) and Bojan Strbanovic (Global Director of Trade, Logistics Plus) to discuss the unprecedented changes in global trade and customs in 2025. They explore the impact of tariffs, the evolving role of customs brokers, and the challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses. The conversation also delves into the integration of technology and AI in trade processes, predictions for what's coming in 2026, and practical recommendations to help brokers, importers, and shippers navigate what’s next.