Calendar of International Training and
Events
The Massachusetts Export Center offers a wide variety of training events for both the beginner and advanced exporter. Please take a moment to read our training and registration process located at the bottom of this page. Click here to learn about our Compliance Alliance, which includes discounted training pricing for members!
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2025 Training Calendar Unless otherwise noted, training is offered online. |
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| OCTOBER | |
| 24 | Compliance Clinic |
| NOVEMBER | |
| 7 | Mastering Tariff Management: The Essential Tools |
| 14 | BIS Affiliates Rule: Navigating the New 50% Ownership Standard |
| DECEMBER | |
| 10 | Government Contractors and Tariff Challenges: Strategies for Success |
| FEBRUARY 2026 | |
| 26-27 | Export Expo - save the date! |
Program Descriptions
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Country of Origin as a Tariff Mitigation Strategy in the Current Trade Environment While country of origin determination has always been a crucial element of supply chain management, it has become even more critical in the current trade environment. The analysis of the relative value of components based on detailed Bill of Materials (BOM) is insufficient for origin determination in most cases. With FTAs in flux and new rules announced weekly, it’s not clear which trade agreements may still be used to determine origin. While USMCA origin determination remains an important tool for companies trading with Canada and Mexico, rules differ for other trade agreements and are even less defined for products of the countries that do not have FTAs with the US. Historically, substantial transformation and essential character have been two guiding principles for origin determination. However, the interpretation of substantial transformation has evolved, and the US Customs has been moving away from determining product origin based on the origin of the essential component. This webinar will discuss general principles of origin determination and their current interpretation by the US Customs, review trade agreements that are still applicable for origin determination and outline country of origin management strategies that can help businesses navigate the current trade environment. Our speaker will be Matthew Bock, managing partner with Bock Trade Law. Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
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AI and Export Compliance: Going Beyond the Consolidated Screening List For U.S. exporters, establishing screening procedures is critical to ensure compliance with U.S. export regulations and protect against the export of sensitive goods and technologies to restricted end users and uses. But screening goes well beyond simply checking the Consolidated Screening List. With stepped up enforcement on U.S. exports, businesses are under increased pressure to dig deeper - vetting customers, ownership structures and supply chain partners. The challenge is that much of the information needed for due diligence isn’t always readily available, and in some cases, is deliberately obscured. This webinar will provide practical information for meeting the rising enforcement expectations. Our speakers will discuss export screening requirements and best practices, evaluating ownership structures, and using sources beyond the CSL to clear red flags. Participants will also learn how artificial intelligence can streamline KYC investigations and make them more effective. We hope you will join us! Our speakers include:
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
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Compliance Clinic for Compliance Alliance members only** Calling all Compliance Alliance members! Join us for an off-the-record, give-and-take discussion between exporters that will allow participants to ask questions, share information and “compare notes” on trade compliance issues of interest and concern. All topics are on the table! No agenda, no talking points – just a private, interactive discussion between trade compliance professionals. Bring your questions and concerns and be prepared to join in the discussion! We have also invited a "Resident Expert" to be on hand in case of questions requiring legal expertise. The Resident Expert for this Compliance Clinic will be fellow Compliance Alliance member, Ashley Roberts, counsel with the law firm of Hogan Lovells. Date: Friday, October
24, 2025
**Not a member yet? Click here for details! |
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Mastering Tariff Management: The Essential Tools Tariff management has become a top priority for international logistics and compliance professionals, demanding increased time commitment and significant expertise. Mastering tariff management tools is essential for both exporters and importers as supply chains are being restructured and realigned in the current trade environment. This webinar will zero in on essential tools for tariff management, including leveraging the provisions of Chapter 98 of HTS that allow for tariff mitigation under specific circumstances; using duty drawback to reclaim up to 99% of the duties paid on imported goods that are subsequently exported; and re-assessing customs valuation practices to ensure that the correct valuation methods are used, along with taking advantage of all available deductions and exclusions. Don’t miss this informative program – and bring your questions! Our speaker will be Robert Stein, vice president of Braumiller Consulting Group. Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
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BIS Affiliates Rule: Navigating the New 50% Ownership Standard The long-anticipated BIS Affiliates/50% Rule, announced in late September, represents a substantial expansion of U.S. export control obligations by extending the Entity List, MEU List, and certain SDN restrictions to unlisted foreign entities that are 50% or more owned—directly or indirectly, individually or in aggregate—by listed parties. The rule is modeled after OFAC’s 50% Rule but is significantly broader. For example, unlike OFAC’s 50% Rule, the Affiliates Rule aggregates ownership across multiple restricted parties lists and applies the most restrictive controls governing a listed owner to the unlisted affiliate. In cases of ownership by multiple listed entities, BIS will apply the same most-restrictive approach to license exceptions, further limiting their availability. The new rule’s impacts are far-reaching and exporters must adapt to avoid potential violations and penalties. Most importantly, the rule now obligates exporters to conduct deeper ownership due diligence on customers, distributors, and other transaction parties to identify covered affiliates. Moreover, exporters, reexporters, and transferors (in-country) who have reason to believe a listed entity owns a portion of the consignee or intermediary but are unable to determine the ownership percentage must apply for a license and explain the due diligence steps taken and why they were unable to determine percentage ownership. When reviewing license applications, BIS will use this additional information to evaluate potential diversion concerns. This webinar will provide an overview of BIS’ Affiliates Rule and its compliance implications. Topics will include aggregating ownership across the Entity List, MEU List and SDN List and assessing unlisted owners caught by this regulation. Our speakers will also discuss practical strategies for conducting robust ownership due diligence to mitigate compliance risks. Join us for this timely program to gain practical insights into complying with this new regulation. Bring your questions! Our speakers will be:
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
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Government Contractors and Tariff Challenges: Strategies for Success In 2025, sweeping tariffs under IEEPA and Section 232 have raised the cost of critical items required to fulfill government contracts — particularly steel, aluminum and globally sourced components. These increased duties are not only inflating material costs, they are also introducing supply chain delays, complicating performance schedules, and putting fixed-price contractors at risk of unrecoverable cost overruns. Whether performing under existing contracts or preparing for new opportunities, there are key strategies and regulatory tools available to manage these risks. Join us to gain practical insights into safeguarding your business against tariff-driven disruptions in the federal marketplace. This webinar will explore recent tariff policy developments and their impact on costs and compliance. Our speaker will also discuss the DFARS tariff exemption, proven risk mitigation strategies and key approaches to preserving profitability and competitiveness in the face of tariff-related challenges. Our speaker will be Jacqueline Unger, partner and government contracts group leader with PilieroMazza PLLC. Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
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Join us for the Export Expo – the state’s largest and most important export event of the year that brings together resources, training and information for the local exporting community! The Massachusetts Export Center’s Export Expo provides a forum for exporters to connect with the wide range of export resources available in Massachusetts while learning about issues that impact their day-to-day operations. This year’s Export Expo will again be a virtual event that will include an exhibit area featuring government, non-profit and private sector service providers serving the export community. The Export Expo will also feature a lineup of workshops, panel discussions and special addresses on a wide variety of export-related topics. This year’s Export Expo will focus on current and imminent developments in our international trade environment, including the impact of the geopolitical landscape, policy, regulation and enforcement on global trade operations. Critical issues such as export control and economic sanctions policy, the implementation of widespread tariffs, and escalating regulatory enforcement will be addressed, with a focus on helping companies to remain nimble while navigating and responding to a dynamic and increasingly complex global trade environment. The Export Expo will feature influential guest speakers and opportunities to connect with experts to answer your specific export questions. We hope that you will join us for the same timely and important international trade content in a convenient virtual format! Our virtual platform will provide opportunities for networking and allow participants to view all of the conference’s content, so you won’t miss a thing! Speakers and content to be announced soon, along with details on the 2026 Export Expo Sponsorship & Exhibitor Package! Click here to view a recap video of our 2025 Export Expo. Dates: Thursday and Friday, February 26
& 27, 2026
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Training and Registration Details - Please Read Registration: Preregistration is required for all events. Each training event has a separate registration page. Please register for all events first and then make a single credit card payment for the total amount due. The registration and payment systems are not integrated, so you need to know the total amount due. Registration for in-person events typically closes at 12 noon on the business day prior to the event. Walk-ins are allowed unless an event is full. If full, the status will be noted on this web page (see walk-in section below). Our training events are supported by federal taxpayer funds. By registering, you certify that you are legally authorized to receive services funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations. Payment: We require payment at the time of registration via credit card. For free events and free for Compliance Alliance members, disregard any payment instructions. If you are on the credit card payment page, close your browser and do not enter a payment. You will be required to enter a security code to process your credit card payment. The code will be sent from noreply@nelnet.net with a subject of "Requested Security Code". Please add this email to your approved sender list. Cancellations/Refunds: If you cancel your registration at least 48 hours prior to the event, you will be entitled to a refund minus a $10 processing fee. No refund will be given on notifications received after that time or in any no-show situation. All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted via email to training@massexport.org. The Export Center reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a seminar due to insufficient enrollment or other circumstances. In the case of cancellation, registration fees will be refunded. Verification Codes are sent with the subject of "Massachusetts SBDC : Email Verification" from centeric@clients.msbdc.org. We use this email address frequently, so please add it to your approved sender list. If you don't receive the verification code in your inbox, check your spam folder. If you still don't find the code, send an email by clicking here and we will help you. Bypass the verification code process by creating a password! The confirmation from this address does not contain the login details (see next bullet). Login Details: Zoom logins are sent via Constant Contact from the Massachusetts Export Center at exportcenter@massexport.org with a subject of "Login Details". Please add this email address to your approved sender list. If you don't find the login email and it's not in your spam folder, your company may be blocking it. Walk-Ins (in-person events): If the program description on our website or registration form indicates that the seminar is full, walk-ins are not allowed. Otherwise, you may complete a walk-in registration and bring the completed form to seminar. If the seminar has a fee, you must make a credit card payment in advance as we do not accept credit cards at the door. Please bring a copy of your payment receipt, along with the completed walk-in registration form. No Shows: Due to the costs we incur as a result of people who register for seminars and do not attend or cancel, we will bill unpaid registrants for the full cost of the seminar unless cancelled at least 48 hours prior to the event. For free seminars, no shows who don't cancel will be charged a fee to cover food and materials costs. Already registered for export training, but forgot to pay? Click on button below or the credit card logos to use our secure credit card payment system. Before you make your payment, there will be a multifactor authentication with a security code. The email is from noreply@nelnet.net with a subject of "Requested Security Code". Please add this email address to your approved sender list. The charge on your credit card statement will show as "Mass Export Center". Seminars are offered a at nominal fee; therefore we do not offer any discount pricing. Seminar materials are for attendees only. If you have questions or need help, please email training@massexport.org.
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