CAPE Duty Refund Service
CAPE Duty Refund Service in the USA
If your business paid tariffs under IEEPA, you may now be eligible to get that money back. The CAPE portal opened on April 20, 2026, and the numbers are significant: roughly $127 billion in eligible IEEPA refunds are being processed. As of early April, over 56,000 importers have already filed.
The process is technical, and even small mistakes can slow things down or get your claim rejected. But filing sooner reduces delays. At Addis Global Trade Services, we help you handle the CAPE duty refund service in a way that feels clear and under control.
What Is CAPE Refund Processing?
CAPE ( Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) refund processing is how CBP now handles IEEPA tariff refunds through the ACE Portal. Earlier, refunds were handled one entry at a time. Now, CAPE allows you to group multiple entries into one declaration. That sounds easier. And it is, but only if everything is filed correctly.
Here is how the flow works:
- You submit a CAPE Declaration
- CBP reviews and validates it
- IEEPA duties are removed from eligible entries
- Duties are recalculated
- Entries are liquidated or reliquidated
- Then, refunds are issued
What about entries that don't qualify in Phase 1?
Entries liquidated before January 30, 2026, are not in Phase 1. However, CBP is developing Phase 2 and beyond to handle these older entries. If you have entries outside the Phase 1 window, you can still file protests with CBP within 180 days of liquidation to prevent finalization. Check CBP’s CSMS (Cargo Systems Messaging Service) for Phase 2 announcements.
Who Can File a CAPE Declaration?
CBP has kept this part strict, so it’s important to get it right. You can file if you are:
- The Importer of Record
- Or the customs broker who filed the entries
Also, your declaration needs to be in CSV format. One file can include up to 9,999 entries. If you have more, you’ll need multiple files. Now, this is where things often get tricky. Large files mean more chances of errors. And one wrong entry can create issues for the whole submission. That’s where our CBP CAPE refund service helps you stay accurate.
Why Getting It Right Matters?
Here’s what can go wrong, and what CBP will reject:
- Duplicate entry numbers (submitting the same entry twice)
- Entries flagged for reconciliation (under CBP review)
- Duty deferral entries (import duty paid later under a deferral plan)
- Duty drawback entries (goods marked for re-export/refund)
- Temporary imports under bond (machinery, samples, repairs)
- CSV formatting issues (extra columns, wrong column order)
- Missing or incorrect bank details (ACH refund account details)
One flagged entry doesn’t stop the whole file, CBP will process valid entries and report rejections for you to fix and resubmit.
How to Apply for CAPE Duty Refund?
- First, confirm your ACE Portal account is active.
- Then, set up ACH refund details in the ACE Portal (separate from payment accounts). CBP requires all refunds to be paid electronically via Automated Clearing House (ACH), no checks or wire transfers.
- Next, optionally designate a different party to receive refunds by filing CBP Form 4811 or updating your ACE account. [This step is optional; refunds default to the Importer of Record.]
- After that, download the CAPE Declaration template from the ACE Portal and fill it in. The template has ONE column: Entry Number. Do not add extra columns; CBP will reject files with additional information.
- Then, submit your CAPE Declaration.
- After CBP reviews and accepts it, it updates your entries and removes IEEPA duties.
- Finally, track your refund using the REV-615 report in the ACE Portal. Most refunds come through within 60 to 90 days after acceptance.
What do we handle for you?
Our CAPE customs refund service is built to support you from start to finish. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Here’s how we help:
- Full CAPE entry processing refund support
- Entry review and eligibility checks
- CSV file preparation and validation
- CAPE Declaration submission
- ACE Portal setup and checks
- Bank setup for refund deposits
- Tracking accepted or rejected filings
- Fixing errors and resubmitting when needed
Your CAPE refund includes both the IEEPA duties you paid AND applicable interest. CBP calculates and includes interest automatically, so you don’t need to request it separately.
CAPE Refund ACE Portal Service Without Confusion
Now, the ACE Portal is a key part of the CAPE refund ACE portal service. But if you’re not used to it, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Common issues include:
- Upload errors in CSV files
- Incorrect entry formatting
- Missing bank details
- Confusion about which entries qualify
- Trouble tracking submission status
Track Your CAPE Refund Status Once your CAPE Declaration is submitted, you can monitor progress using the REV-615 Trade CAPE Detail Refund Report in the ACE Portal. This report shows both your consolidated refund status and entry-level details, so you always know where things stand.
Who Should Use the CAPE Duty Refund Service in the USA?
Our CAPE duty refund service in the USA is a good fit if:
- You paid IEEPA tariffs and want a refund
- You have multiple entries to file
- Your data needs sorting and validation
- You are working with a customs broker
- You want to avoid rejection or delays
If your refund matters, getting it right from the start makes a big difference.
Why Businesses Work with Addis Global Trade Services?
We keep things simple, but we don’t overlook the details. And that balance matters here. Here’s what you can expect:
- Clear and honest communication
- Careful handling of large entry data
- Focus on accuracy and compliance
- Support from filing to refund tracking
- Practical help with how to apply for the CAPE duty refund
- Expertise in navigating Phase 1 eligibility (the 80-day window matters)
- Form 4811 guidance if you want a broker or partner to receive refunds
- Specific validation issue fixes (duplicate entries, deferral flags, etc.)
So instead of feeling stuck, you stay informed and in control.
FAQs
CAPE duty refund service helps businesses file and manage IEEPA tariff refund claims through the ACE Portal.
Importers who paid IEEPA tariffs and brokers who filed entries on their behalf can submit claims.
CAPE refund processing usually takes 60 to 90 days after acceptance, depending on review.
You’ll need to fix the issue and resubmit. Most errors relate to formatting or entry details.
Yes. Refunds may be adjusted if there are unpaid obligations.
Phase 1 (April 20, 2026) covers unliquidated entries and those liquidated within 80 days (after January 30, 2026). About 82% of IEEPA duties are eligible in Phase 1. Older entries will be included in Phase 2 and beyond. Check CBP’s announcements for future phases.
CBP rejects duplicate entry numbers, entries under reconciliation, duty deferral entries, duty drawback entries, and temporary imports under bond. If your entries have any of these flags, fix them before resubmitting.
Your refund includes both IEEPA duties AND applicable interest. CBP calculates and includes interest automatically.
No. If you’re the Importer of Record, you can file yourself. You can also designate your customs broker, freight forwarder, or other party to receive refunds on your behalf using CBP Form 4811. The choice is yours.
They’re not eligible in Phase 1. CBP is developing future phases for these entries. In the meantime, you can file a protest with CBP (180-day deadline after liquidation) to prevent finalization while you wait for Phase 2.
Use the REV-615 Trade CAPE Detail Refund Report in the ACE Portal. It shows both consolidated refund status and entry-level details.
Start Your CAPE Refund Filing with Confidence
If your business paid IEEPA tariffs, now is the time to act. Filing through the CAPE duty refund service needs careful preparation, and errors can slow things down.
With Addis Global Trade Services, you get support that keeps your CAPE refund processing accurate and on track. We help you avoid common mistakes and move toward your refund with confidence. Because when large refunds are involved, getting it right really matters.
