Think Customs Is Still Randomly Checking Cargo? Think Again

Host: Lalo Solorzano & Andy Shiles Guest(s): David Smason Published: September 3, 2026 Length: Approx. 35 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center Summary Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing global trade—but what happens when the technology is placed directly in the hands of customs and border agencies? In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles sit down with David Smason, co-founder of CargoSeer, whose technology was recently acquired by BigBear.ai, to explore how AI is being used to modernize cargo inspections, customs enforcement, and border operations. David explains how CargoSeer began with a focused challenge: helping operators analyze cargo X-ray images faster and more effectively. That concept evolved into an AI-powered decision-support platform capable of bringing together imaging, trade documentation, supply-chain information, and other data to help frontline operators identify higher-risk shipments and make better-informed decisions. The conversation explores reducing cargo release times, automating the analysis of empty containers, improving revenue collection, identifying counterfeit goods, and creating greater consistency across ports and inspection teams. They also discuss an important principle behind successful government AI adoption: technology needs to support the operator rather than force the operator to adapt to the technology. For trade professionals, this episode offers a fascinating look at the other side of the compliance equation—and how increasingly sophisticated technology could reshape customs enforcement around the world. Main Topic / Discussion AI is moving beyond private-sector trade compliance tools and into customs and border operations. David explains how CargoSeer developed AI technology around the workflows of frontline operators. Rather than creating technology first and searching for applications afterward, the company studied how operators actually inspect cargo and make decisions, then built technology designed to augment those processes. The result is an approach that can combine cargo imaging with trade, documentation, supply-chain, and other available data to help agencies prioritize higher-risk shipments while accelerating the review of lower-risk cargo. One example discussed is empty-container inspection. David explains that operators can traditionally spend several minutes adjudicating an empty container. CargoSeer's AI was designed to analyze these scenarios in seconds, allowing operators to focus more attention on shipments requiring human expertise. The conversation also examines how AI can improve consistency. Experienced customs officers often develop instincts after decades on the job. AI creates an opportunity to capture patterns from effective inspection methodologies and apply them more broadly across an agency. David also discusses CargoSeer's work in El Salvador and how highly customizable AI can help customs administrations address their specific enforcement, revenue, and operational objectives. Looking ahead, David sees AI supporting a new generation of customs systems in which information from multiple agencies and sources can be analyzed in the background while operators receive the specific information they need to make a decision. Key Takeaways • AI can help customs agencies prioritize higher-risk cargo instead of relying heavily on randomized inspections. • Combining cargo imaging with trade documentation, supply-chain data, and other information can give operators a more complete picture of each shipment. • Automating straightforward inspection scenarios—such as identifying legitimate empty containers—can free officers to spend more time on higher-value enforcement activities. • AI could help customs administrations capture the knowledge of experienced operators and apply successful inspection methodologies more consistently across ports, modes, and teams. • Better targeting doesn't necessarily mean inspecting more cargo; it can mean making the cargo selected for inspection more relevant to an agency's enforcement objectives. • Customs AI must be customizable because air, ocean, land, and express environments have different operational requirements. • Successful government technology adoption depends heavily on designing systems around frontline operators and their existing workflows. • Greater predictability in enforcement can benefit compliant importers by creating clearer expectations while increasing the likelihood that noncompliant shipments receive additional scrutiny. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • BigBear.ai • David Smason - LinkedIn • BigBear.ai - CargoSeer Acquisition Announcement Credits Host: Lalo Solorzano Andy Shiles Guest(s): David Smason - LinkedIn Producer: Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade • Global Training Center • Trade Geeks Community Don't forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks! Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions? [email protected]