Tariff Refunds in 2026: What Importers Need to Know Right Now
Google search interest in “tariff refund” remains strong, and for good reason. Many importers paid significant duties under the IEEPA tariffs that were later ruled unlawful. The question now is: How do you actually get your money back?
Here’s a clear, practical overview of the current system in June 2026.
The Current System: CAPE
CBP launched the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool on April 20, 2026. This is now the main electronic system for filing IEEPA duty refund claims.
CAPE allows importers (or their authorized customs brokers) to submit one declaration listing up to 9,999 entry numbers at a time. It is designed to process refunds faster and more efficiently than traditional methods.
Who Can File a CAPE Declaration?
Only two parties are allowed to submit CAPE Declarations:
- The Importer of Record (IOR) listed on the original entry, or
- The licensed customs broker who originally filed those specific entries on behalf of the importer.
You generally cannot use a new broker to file refunds for entries they did not originally handle.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Refund?
According to current CBP guidance, valid IEEPA refunds are generally issued within 60–90 days after CBP accepts the CAPE Declaration (unless there is a compliance issue that requires further review).
Some importers who filed in late April and early May have already started receiving refunds.
What You Need Before Filing
Before you can successfully file a CAPE Declaration, you must have:
- An active ACE Secure Data Portal account
- Proper ACH refund banking information set up in ACE (this is required for electronic refunds)
- Access to your entry data (entry numbers, liquidation status, etc.)
Important Limitations Right Now
Phase 1 of CAPE is mainly focused on:
- Unliquidated entries, and
- Entries liquidated within roughly the last 80 days
Entries that have been finally liquidated for a longer period may need to wait for future phases of the system.
Practical Next Steps for Importers
- Confirm you (or your broker) have active ACE Portal access
- Make sure your ACH refund banking details are correctly entered in ACE
- Work with the customs broker who originally filed your entries — they are usually best positioned to prepare and submit the CAPE Declaration
- Organize your entry data as early as possible
Final Word
The current environment has created a real window of opportunity for importers to recover duties. However, success depends on having the right setup in ACE and working with someone who understands the CAPE process.
Looking for a licensed customs broker experienced with IEEPA and CAPE refund filings?
You can search and connect with qualified brokers at FindCustomsBroker.com.