Host: Cindy Allen
Published: April 24, 2026
Length: ~15 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary

In this week’s episode of Simply Trade: Cindy’s Version, Cindy Allen covers a relatively quiet week in global trade—highlighted by one major development: the successful launch of CBP’s CAPE system for IEEPA duty refunds.

After months of uncertainty, CAPE is now live—and early feedback from the trade community has been overwhelmingly positive. Importers are already seeing duties removed at the entry level and refund amounts becoming visible, marking a significant milestone in the post-IEEPA landscape.

Cindy also touches on ongoing geopolitical risks in the Strait of Hormuz, new developments in Section 232 and 301 actions, and important updates impacting the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors.

Inspired by Taylor Swift’s King of My Heart, Cindy reflects on whether CAPE might finally be the solution the trade community has been waiting for.

This Week in Trade

• Continued disruption risks in the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global shipping and energy markets
• Accelerated movement on Section 232 and 301 investigations
• New tariff relief for steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico used in U.S. automotive production
• Ongoing developments in pharmaceutical tariffs, including compliance challenges for importers
• Industry feedback submitted on electronic export manifest requirements for ocean shipments

CAPE Launch: A Strong Start

CBP officially launched CAPE on April 20, and early results are promising:

• System launched on time and without major disruption
• Filing requires only entry numbers
• Importers are already seeing IEEPA duties removed at the line level
• Refund amounts are becoming visible and trackable

While some minor issues have surfaced—particularly around capped duty scenarios and prior filing instructions—the overall rollout has been widely viewed as a success.

What This Means for Trade

• CAPE is delivering on expectations—at least in its initial phase
• Importers and brokers can begin actively recovering duties
• Some entries may still require post-summary corrections before filing
• The system’s simplicity is enabling broader participation across the trade community

Cindy notes that while not perfect, this is one of the most effective system rollouts seen in recent trade operations.

Key Takeaways

• CAPE is live—and working
• Early feedback suggests a smooth and effective rollout
• Trade professionals should begin evaluating filing strategies
• Broader trade enforcement activity continues to accelerate

Resources & Mentions

• Global Training Center
• Trade Force Multiplier

Credits

Host:
• Cindy Allen – LinkedIn
• Trade Force Multiplier

Producer:
• Lalo Solorzano – LinkedIn

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