Importers using the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA, known as CUSMA in Canada) to mitigate IEPA tariffs are facing intensified customs scrutiny and revenue-protection reviews. With NAFTA replaced by USMCA, duty-free treatment remains a powerful tool—but when the government doesn’t see revenue, it asks why. We’re seeing a return to revenue-focused enforcement, and that means more…

Trade compliance is more complex—and costly—than ever. With expanded use of tariffs (including Section 301 “Trump tariffs” and Section 232 aluminum measures) and heightened CBP enforcement powered by ACE data, brokerage entry audits have become essential. At Vigilant Global Trade Services, we help importers reduce risk and cost by reviewing customs entries for errors in…

AI is reshaping global trade and trade compliance. Used well, it accelerates repetitive, rules-based work like tariff classification and country of origin determination. But conflicting guidance from government agencies, ports of entry, attorneys, and consultants can lead AI systems to surface inconsistent answers—even to the same question minutes apart. The result: gaps that can undermine…

Think exports only happen when something ships in a box? Deemed export compliance says otherwise. Under U.S. export controls, providing a foreign person in the United States with access to controlled technology or information can be treated as an export. That includes employees and visitors. If a foreign national can view, handle, or learn about…

Export compliance starts with knowing who you’re really doing business with. The OFAC 50% rule and the forthcoming BIS 50% rule make ownership screening essential for exporters: enforcement is ratcheting up, and hidden 50% ownership can derail deals late in the process—leading to costly project cancellations. This video explains why ownership transparency matters and how to build a reliable restricted party screening program that catches indirect ownership tied to the SDN list and other restricted parties.Here’s the core insight: it’s not just named entities you must avoid. If a restricted party owns 50% or more of another company, that company is also restricted. The OFAC 50% rule has been in place for years, and while BIS’s 50% rule has been delayed for a year, now is the time to prepare. Because federal lists don’t publish complete ownership chains, manual research isn’t practical. Technology and third‑party ownership mapping are the only scalable way to surface indirect relationships.At Vigilant Global Trade Services, we help exporters operationalize this. We provide software, integrate with specialized mapping providers like Sayari, Atlanta, and Kharon and perform reviews and adjudication so your restricted party screening covers both direct and indirect ownership. Want to strengthen your program or get pointed in the right direction?

Global trade moves fast—and informed decisions depend on timely, reliable insight. Trade Buzz, produced by Vigilant Global Trade Services, delivers quick, relevant updates on what’s happening across the trade industry. We spotlight what’s current and meaningful, highlight emerging risks and challenges, and point you to where answers live—so importers, exporters, and industry professionals can stay…

We just welcomed Jamie Adams to Vigilant Global Trade Services, building on Joe Burkes’ foundation to deliver timely, actionable guidance for today’s risks. Meet Jamie and see what is coming next for your global trade program.

With customs enforcement intensifying and regulations growing more complex, trade compliance teams need practical, real-world guidance. At the ICPA Annual Conference (International Compliance Professionals Association), March 1–4 in San Antonio, our expert from Vigilant Global Trade Services, Jamie, will share actionable strategies on customs broker audits and entry audits—timely topics for importers and exporters navigating…

Our Director of Global Compliance Solutions and Licensed Customs Broker (LCB), Jamie Adams breaks down the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming decision on President Trump’s tariff authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act — a case with major implications for importers, regulatory authority, and global trade operations. With the Court slated to issue opinions on…