2023 Performance Indicators
At The American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI), the work we do together creates tangible benefits for our members and the trade community at large. Our members invested in these key drivers in 2023.
Advocacy
Networking
Education
AAEI works on behalf of its members to eliminate regulatory and legislative friction to trade and customs.
AAEI’s meetings and events provide opportunities to learn about practical solutions for problems in trade.
AAEI’s educational and professional development programs help members stay in-the-know.
Advocacy for Free and Fair Trade
Priority Interest
FORCED LABOR
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) engagement on Forced Labor compliance
Performance
Held quarterly meetings with DHS and CBP
Held bi-monthly forced labor prevention task force meetings
Provided member webinars for updates on CBP’s enforcement process
Value
Sought clarity for compliance
Provided path to business certainty
Generated active engagement
Sustained safe meeting space for importers to discuss compliance strategies
Priority Interest
NEXTGEN CUSTOMS
Regulatory and legislative engagement on trade facilitation elements for customs modernization
Performance
Held quarterly meetings with CBP Leadership and Congress
Submitted revised documents and legislative recommendations on AAEI’s core principles for the future of Customs
Value
Leveraged stakeholder role as technical experts in shaping NextGen Customs
Advocated for trade facilitation measures in proposed legislation to benefit members
Provided members with means for input on all aspects of the Customs process
Priority Interest
SANCTIONS & EXPORT CONTROLS
Performance
Held direct discussions with the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the Department of State
Provided in-person benchmarking sessions for exporters
Value
Provided clarity for compliance
Helped improve business certainty
Advocacy Comments and Letters Filed in 2023
- AAEI Co-Signed West Coast Port Labor Negotiations Coalition Letter to President Biden – March 2023
- AAEI Delivered to CBP Next Generation Customs Core Policy Principles – June 2023
- AAEI Co-Signed US Chamber Letter on Customs Modernization Coalition Priorities – June 2023
- AAEI Comment Letter on Canada’s Proposed Changes to Last Sale Rule – July 2023
- AAEI Co-Signed Coalition Letter to White House on UPS-Teamsters Negotiations – July 2023
- AAEI Letter to CBP on Movement of Forced Labor Detained Cargo for Storage in Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) – August 2023
- Global Shipping Alliance Country Report USA 2023 – September 2023
- AAEI Comment Letter to Federal Maritime Commission on Empty Container Practices – September 2023
Networking with Industry Peers
AAEI’s 102nd Annual Conference & Expo was held in Washington, D.C., June 19-21, 2023, where members reunited to talk about trade policy and practice. Industry service providers met with purchasing decision-makers, and importers and exporters got “face time” with government representatives in AAEI’s Government Row of exhibit booths.
AAEI’s substantive committees provide members with in-person and virtual platforms for members to network and collaborate on the most pressing trade issues of the day. At committee meetings, members leverage one another’s expertise and experience, allowing them to think strategically about overcoming practical barriers to trade.
AAEI members leverage networking opportunities to benchmark with their industry colleagues. In a competitive business landscape, AAEI provides importers and exporters a platform for dynamic collaboration, demonstrating that, despite the competition, they do not compete on compliance.
Continuing Education
AAEI leverages its relationships with government agencies and partner organizations to offer members informative webinars on pressing trade issues. In September 2023, AAEI conducted a webinar with CBP officials to provide updates on CBP’s enforcement of forced labor regulations. AAEI also hosted a member webinar on the EU’s carbon and deforestation regulations, both of which entail extensive new requirements for importers operating in the region.
AAEI committee meetings allow members to gain valuable insights through informal benchmarking. Meetings include open discussions, where members can ask anything and learn from one another’s experiences and strategies for compliance.
AAEI’s Annual Conference provides attendees with the opportunity to earn Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) and Certified Export Specialist (CES) credits, as well as eligibility for Continuing Legal Education (CLE), to support their ongoing professional development.
Coming soon: In 2023, AAEI will launch two new educational courses on the NCBFAA Educational Institute (NEI) learning platform, AAEI’s Import 201 and Export 201. Additional courses will be developed in 2024.