If your company plans to seek any IEEPA tariff refunds, this is the required starting point. This is the only process through which importers can receive refunds from CBP. If this step has not been completed, refunds will be delayed.
CBP indicated on Friday, March 6, 2026 that even once ACE functionality for IEEPA refunds is in place, importers may not receive refunds unless they have completed the required setup to receive refunds electronically, as mandated by a recent CBP rule change.
CBP noted that of the hundreds of thousands of importers who have paid IEEPA duties or duty deposits, only a fraction (primarily importers or their customs brokers) have completed this process to date.
CBP warned: “Until importers complete the process to receive refunds electronically, the refunds will be rejected.”
The critical step: Everything that you need to prepare for these refunds will start from your ACE portal account. NOT having an active ACE Portal account is no longer an option. An active account is vital for all importers.
If you have not already, please establish an account in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ACE Secure Data Portal and complete enrollment in the ACH electronic refund program.
The ACE Portal provides importers with direct access to entry data, compliance notices, reports, and financial information. It is an essential tool for monitoring your customs activity and maintaining internal controls.
Why ACH Refund Enrollment Is Important
Enrollment in ACH refunds allows CBP to deposit duty refunds, drawback payments, protest refunds, and other credits directly into your designated bank account. Benefits include:
- Faster receipt of refunds
- Elimination of paper refund checks
- Reduced risk of lost or delayed payments
- Improved cash flow and accounting controls
Without ACH enrollment, refunds are generally issued by paper check, which can delay receipt of funds.
How to Set Up an ACE Portal Account
Application for ACE Portal Data Account (Importer Form)
https://ace-accounts.cbp.gov/s/importer-form
- Reference Sheet: ACH Refund Enrollment Overview
- Information Notice: ACE Portal Updates to Enable Electronic Refund Enrollment
- Information Notice: Automated ACE Portal Application for Importer Accounts
- Information Notice: ACE Portal Feature for Trade Users to Add Notify Parties
- Training Guide: ACH Refund Enrollment in the ACE Portal
- Training Guide: ACE Portal Feature to Add Notify Parties
- Training Guide: Applying for an ACE Secure Data Portal Account
Updates
Last Updated: June 15, 2026
Below are some helpful links to stay updated with CBP announcements regarding the CAPE IEEPA Refunds:
- CAPE Trade Information Notice
- ACE Portal: CAPE Declarations Quick Reference Guide
- International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Duty Refunds
- Electronic Refund Enrollment in CBP’s ACE Portal (PDF)
- Electronic Refund Enrollment in the ACE Portal (Video)
- ACE Portal and ACH Refunds FAQs
Upcoming Webinars:
None scheduled.
For recorded webinars, please visit: CBP Trade Outreach Webinars
Additional Resources:
- Consolidated Administration and Processing Entries (CAPE) Tool Resources
- CSMS # 68536553 - CBP Offers Multiple ACE Reports for Monitoring CAPE Refund Claims
- CSMS # 68569567 - Best Practices for Protecting Your Information Regarding IEEPA Refunds
- CSMS # 68397097 - Updated ACE Entry Summary Error Dictionary Now Available on CBP.gov
- CSMS # 68396594 - AVAILABLE NOW – Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) for IEEPA Refunds
