CBP to begin tariff refund processing

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will start taking some tariff refund claims on April 20, but eligible importers will still wait 60 to 90 days for payment. (cbp.gov) (supplychaindive.com) The agency is using a new system called Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries, or CAPE, inside its Automated Commercial Environment trade portal. Importers of record and customs brokers must file a comma-separated values file listing entry numbers, and each filing can include up to 9,999 entries. (cbp.gov) Phase 1 is narrow. Customs and Border Protection says it covers certain unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation, while later phases will add more complicated cases. (cbp.gov) (politico.com) These refunds stem from tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a 1977 law the Supreme Court said on February 20, 2026 did not authorize the president to impose tariffs. The Court of International Trade then ordered Customs and Border Protection on March 4, 2026 to remove those duties from eligible entries and return the money. (supreme.justia.com) (kpmg.com) The court order reaches far beyond the companies that sued. Trade lawyers told Politico the first rollout still leaves many importers out because older entries, protested entries, drawback claims and other complex cases are being pushed into later phases. (politico.com) (ey.com) Customs and Border Protection is also requiring electronic refunds. Importers and brokers need an active Automated Commercial Environment portal account and separate bank account information for Automated Clearing House refunds, and the agency says it will not process refunds without that setup. (cbp.gov) As of March 26, 2026, 26,664 importers of record had completed electronic refund setup, covering about 78 percent of affected entries and roughly $120 billion in principal, according to a court update summarized by Ernst & Young. Politico reported that leaves hundreds of thousands of importers still outside the system even as the first filing window opens. (ey.com) (politico.com) Customs and Border Protection had earlier told the court it was aiming for refunds within 45 days after acceptance, but its public guidance now says 60 to 90 days and warns that compliance reviews could take longer. The agency says it will post regular updates as it builds later phases for finally liquidated entries and other exceptions. (supplychaindive.com) (cbp.gov)