The annual gathering of customs brokers and freight forwarders from up and down the US West Coast wrapped up on Sunday, and Coppersmith’s five-person delegation was in attendance to listen, learn, and bring back opportunities to inform our importer and exporter clients on what is going on besides the persistent drumbeat of tariffs, tariffs, tariffs.
In attendance were President Bud Coppersmith, Chief Compliance Officer Victoria Lane, Director of Operations Tom Scott, Seattle Branch Manager Kelly Proszek, and Portland Import Supervisor Halsi Harris. Despite the non-attendance of government officials from CBP and other regulatory agencies due to the shutdown, the program was robust and comprehensive, covering the gaps and, in some cases, relaying what the representatives from those agencies would have discussed with the audience had they been present.
There were three sessions worth highlighting that our customers will find valuable: the modernization of payment systems, an update on West Coast ports delivered by representatives from each, and finally, communicating with CBP and the importance of answering inquiries in a complete and timely manner.
Modernizing Payment Systems: Preparing for the Digital Future
One of the most actionable sessions at WESCCON 2025 focused on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s modernization of payment and refund systems. For importers, the key takeaway centers on establishing an ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) portal account if you don’t already have one.
Beginning this month, CBP implemented electronic refund enrollment, allowing trade users to provide their bank account information directly through the ACE portal to facilitate ACH refunds instead of paper checks. This shift offers importers faster access to refunds and reduces the risk of lost, delayed, or fraudulently intercepted payments.
Particularly relevant given pending litigation, importers subject to the IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) tariffs should prioritize setting up their ACE portal accounts now. If the Supreme Court overturns the IEEPA case, substantial refunds may be issued electronically, and having the infrastructure in place will expedite receipt of those funds.
Coppersmith can both help set up an ACE portal account and configure it to receive refunds.
West Coast Gateway Update: Infrastructure and Operational Insights
The West Coast Ports Panel provided a view of both current and forward-looking developments across all the major gateway ports from the Northwest Seaport Alliance (Seattle and Tacoma), south to Oakland, Los Angeles, and Long Beach, and finally San Diego.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance highlighted their performance metrics for IPI cargo moving through the port, maintaining rail dwell times around 3.2 days while improving local truck turn times by 10 to 60 minutes, depending on the terminal. Their focus on vessel schedule reliability has proven effective, with seven of their fourteen ocean services arriving within 24 hours of scheduled arrival during Q3—the best performance since early 2020.
Oakland continues advancing its unified terminal appointment system through the Oakland Portal, providing real-time visibility into terminal operations, dwell times, and congestion levels. The Port of Los Angeles emphasized major rail infrastructure investments, including its recently announced Pier 500 development. Meanwhile, Long Beach is spearheading its Supply Chain Information Highway project, which will begin with four container terminals to create more consistent trucking appointment systems.
For importers and exporters, these port modernization efforts promise more predictable transit times and improved cargo flow through West Coast gateways, with the added benefit of reduced demurrage and detention when cargo volumes are at peak.
CBP Communication: The Critical Importance of CF-28 Responses
Coppersmith’s Chief Compliance Officer, Victoria Lane, moderated a general session on CBP Supervision and Control Plans, which connected directly to another critical conference topic: CBP methods of communication. One of the most time-sensitive communications importers and their brokers receive is the CF-28 Request for Information.
Understanding CF-28 requirements is essential for importers. When CBP issues a CF-28, they’re requesting supporting documentation to verify classification, valuation, country of origin, or other entry details. These requests typically allow 30 days for response, though CBP may grant extensions when more substantial documentation is required.
The key is immediate communication between the importer and their broker upon receipt of a CF-28. Working collaboratively to gather the requested information—whether mill certificates, purchase orders, production records, proof of payment, or product specifications—within the timeframe is critical to avoiding delays, additional scrutiny, or potential penalties.
Conference presenters emphasized that CF-28s should never be dismissed or delayed. Given CBP’s heightened enforcement posture, particularly regarding Section 232 steel and aluminum, trade remedy classifications, and country of origin claims, importers should view CF-28 requests as opportunities to demonstrate compliance through thorough and timely documentation.
Coppersmith works closely with importers to interpret what CBP is requesting, determine the appropriate response strategy, and ensure submissions meet CBP’s expectations while protecting the importer’s interests.
There were other panels featuring respected trade attorneys, all of which were off the record for discussing sensitive topics. The takeaway from those – and one that Coppersmith is fully aware of because of our involvement in our industry’s local and national associations – is the stepped-up enforcement around valuation and origin because of the government’s focus on collection of IEEPA, 232, 301, and other trade remedy duties like antidumping and countervailing duties. Open, regular, transparent communication with customs brokers has never been more important, and Coppersmith’s consultative approach to supporting entry filings ensures that the right questions are being asked in advance to have the answers that allows for the most complete, correct entry submissions, both to ensure timely release and avoid the appearance of impropriety that triggers scrutiny from CBP and other regulatory agencies.
