Wednesday Dec 03, 2025

[NCBFAA] Customs Committee Year in Review

Episode:

NCBFAA Customs Committee Spotlight: 2025 Challenges, 2026 Opportunities & The Power of Community

Host:

Lalo Solorzano

Guest(s):

  • Sandra (Sandy) Coty — Customs Committee Co-Chair

  • Mary Jo Muoio — Chair Emeritus

  • Ralph De La Rosa — Customs Committee Co-Chair

  • Lenny Feldman — Customs Committee Counsel

Published:

December 3, 2025

Length:

Approx. 44 min.

Presented by:

Global Training Center — Website

Episode Summary

In this special collaborative episode with the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), Simply Trade highlights one of the organization’s most active and influential groups: the Customs Committee.

Host Lalo Solorzano is joined by committee co-chairs Sandy Coty and Ralph De La Rosa, alongside Mary Jo Muoio (Chair Emeritus) and counsel Lenny Feldman. Together, they unpack a highly dynamic 2025 driven by court cases, tariff unpredictability, modernization initiatives, and the ever-increasing complexity of trade policy.

This episode reveals what the Customs Committee does, how it supports the entire brokerage community, and why their work is essential for businesses of all sizes. From interpreting executive orders, to producing toolkits, to being the “eye of the storm” during regulatory upheaval — this group ensures brokers stay informed, compliant, and ready for whatever comes next.

The guests also look ahead to 2026, sharing expectations around tariff changes, new trade “deals,” evolving technology, and the crucial role of customs brokers as the industry continues to transform.

Key Learnings & Themes

1. What the Customs Committee Actually Does

The committee’s primary mission is to provide clarity for NCBFAA members on anything related to CBP, trade policy, or customs requirements. This includes:

  • Webinars, toolkits, and e-briefings

  • Monday morning updates (now almost daily due to rapid change)

  • Direct member support for complex questions

  • Coordinated outreach to CBP, Treasury, USTR, and other agencies

  • Flowcharts, FAQs, and practical guides to help brokers execute requirements accurately

The group acts as a force multiplier, ensuring that one broker’s question becomes clarity for all.

2. Wins and Progress in 2025

Sandy highlights several “first downs” toward long-sought industry improvements:

  • Revenue modernization progress tied to the federal executive order

  • Duty payment flexibility, including paying duties at any port in certain situations

  • 10-day extensions for trade remedy-related entry rejections

  • Improved ACE reports, including inbound, AD/CVD certifications, and low-hanging but highly useful enhancements

Ralph notes additional recognition for NCBFAA this year:

  • Sandy and another committee member were appointed to COAC

  • CBP is increasingly seeking NCBFAA’s input due to the committee’s credibility and expertise

3. Guidance During Turbulent Policy Shifts

Mary Jo emphasizes the committee’s role as a stabilizing force:

  • They provide institutional knowledge during times that feel overwhelming

  • They help members understand complex topics like tariff stacking, enforcement spikes, and Supreme Court review scenarios

  • They translate shifting rules into actionable guidance

  • They ensure that small brokers have the same insight as large brokers

The committee helps the industry “act like we’ve been here before,” even when the environment is unprecedented.

4. Tariffs, IEEPA, and the Supreme Court Case

Lenny breaks down what’s at stake:

  • Whether Section 301/IEEPA tariffs remain valid

  • Whether tariff authority is properly delegated

  • Whether changes will apply prospectively or retroactively

  • How brokers should handle refunds, protests, or revenue collection depending on outcomes

His analogy:
It all comes down to donuts, duties, and delegation — and whether tariffs are a “donut hole” in the statute or “a different kind of pastry.”

Regardless of the ruling, the committee will deliver:

  • Updated tools

  • New flowcharts

  • Best-practice guidance

  • Member education sessions

5. Small Brokers Gain Big-Broker Capabilities

A recurring theme: NCBFAA levels the playing field.

Ralph shares examples:

  • The AD/CVD certification toolkit

  • Harp/Nice Harmonized Tariff Schedule sequencing toolkit

  • Penalty and liquidated damages working groups

  • Center of Excellence and Expertise outreach calls

  • Direct lines of communication to CBP

A small broker becomes instantly connected to subject-matter experts, best practices, and national discussions — a major competitive advantage.

6. Looking Ahead to 2026

Panelists expect:

  • New forms of tariff collection

  • Faster, deal-based trade agreements

  • Increased use of AI and machine learning in compliance and enforcement

  • More de minimis-related shifts into formal/informal entry channels

  • Technology-driven expectations for brokers

  • Greater pressure on revenue collection

  • Higher need for accurate guidance, FAQs, and toolkits

The brokerage role continues evolving — from “customs house broker” to customs concierge.

Takeaways for Listeners

  • NCBFAA’s Customs Committee is an unmatched resource for practical, real-world customs compliance guidance.

  • Even small brokers gain expert-level insight and decision support by being part of the community.

  • The association provides stability during rapid regulatory change.

  • The industry will continue evolving quickly — and NCBFAA helps members stay ahead, not behind.

  • Involvement (even at the local level) returns far more value than it requires.

  • Brokers, attorneys, carriers, and service providers all benefit from engagement.

Resources Mentioned

All references below include embedded official links.

NCBFAA & Community

  • NCBFAA — ncbfaa.org

  • NCBFAA Customs Committee — via membership resources

  • COAC (CBP Advisory Committee) — CBP COAC Page

U.S. Agencies

Regulations / Programs / Topics

Technology & Enforcement

Credits

Host:
Lalo Solorzano — Global Training Center

Guests:

Presented by:
Global Training Center — Website
Global Training Center LinkedIn — Follow

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