CBP hosts Trade and Cargo Security Summit in Dallas

DALLAS—U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosted the 2026 Trade and Cargo Security Summit in Dallas, Texas Sept. 8-10. This year’s theme, “Knowing Your Supply Chain to Remain Compliant and Mitigate Risk,” emphasized the shared responsibility of government and industry to strengthen supply chain security, support lawful trade, and protect the U.S. economy.

“Every day we’re protecting the homeland,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “No way we can take our eye off our mission. And by the way, there’s no way we can do it without our partners who are in this room — your partnership with making sure that we have the technology, that we have the supplies, that we have the infrastructure coming in, that we have the supply chains working correctly.”

With 1,300 in-person and 3,000 virtual participants, the Summit, also known as TCSS 2026, brought together importers, exporters, carriers, brokers, attorneys, trade associations, other government agencies, Congress, and the press for discussions with CBP leadership on the agency’s top priorities, policies, and initiatives.

During a fireside chat with Executive Director Christopher Siepmann, of CBP’s Office of Trade Relations, CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott touched on several topics during the chat from the essential human role CBP plays in the emerging AI landscape; the link between economic, border, and national security; and CBP’s commitment to essential values when it comes to forced labor enforcement. 

“The economic security of this country is super important,” said Commissioner Scott. “But, our core values, sticking to our beliefs, and making sure that we actually stand for human rights — is just as important.”

Trade enforcement was central to the Summit’s panels, breakout sessions, keynote addresses, workshops, and listening sessions. Attendees heard from CBP leaders on the importance of identifying supply chain and cargo risks earlier, and fostering partnerships that enable faster, smarter targeting while keeping lawful commerce moving.

CBP Deputy Commissioner Ron Vitiello, who opened the event, discussed critical trade topics including the Strengthening Customs Enforcement Executive Order, illegal transshipment, forced labor enforcement, ACE modernization, Enforce and Protect Act investigations and supply chain security.

“Both CBP and the trade community have critical roles to play to ensure the economic security, national security, and prosperity of the United States,” Vitiello said. “That’s why we’re here: to strengthen supply chain security and safeguard the integrity of U.S. markets.”

CBP senior leaders also reinforced the importance of understanding the full supply chain during the leadership town hall. 

“Do your due diligence now. It’s everybody’s responsibility in the supply chain,” said Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan S. Thomas, of CBP’s Office of trade. “Each entity must own its compliance. For example, an importer should not rely solely on a broker or freight forwarder to validate its supply chain.”

This year’s Summit included opportunities for the trade community to provide direct input to CBP experts. In line with this goal, CBP encouraged attendees to provide formal comments on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled “Heightened Import Disclosures for Supply Chain Visibility.”

“We prioritized mutual communication between the trade community and CBP by adding three listening sessions about the Strengthening Customs Enforcement Executive Order to the agenda this year,” Siepmann said.  “Feedback from the trade community is important to us as we forge the way ahead.”

In addition to the exhibits, demos, and sessions, TCSS 2026 provided attendees with other unique benefits such as Global Entry interviews for applicants in conditional status, 45-minute one-on-one appointments with the ACE Help Desk, in person help from the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism portal team, and continuing education credits for customs brokers. This year, the Summit also featured a competition during the Supply Chain Traceability Brainstorming Session.

“Participating teams developed recommendations on programs, technology, tools, and other solutions to help CBP improve visibility into upstream supply chains,” said Acting Executive Director Salvatore Ingrassia, CBP’s OFO Cargo, Conveyance, and Security. “The Summit provided a rare opportunity to engage with the trade community to hear novel ideas that could potentially help solve real challenges.”

CBP publishes TCSS updates and information about past events on the CBP TCSS webpage. Follow CBP and CBP Office of Trade on X for updates about the next Trade and Cargo Security Summit and CBPTradeSecure on Instagram.