UPDATE: IEEPA refunds process begins April 20th. CBP provides details on how CAPE will work

View the CSMS message here: CSMS # 68340863 – UPDATE – Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) for IEEPA Refunds, April 20, 2026, Deployment

On April 20, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will introduce the first phase of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool within the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal. This new tool marks a significant step toward modernizing and simplifying the process for requesting refunds of duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

CAPE provides an electronic pathway for submitting valid IEEPA duty refund claims, particularly those made pursuant to court orders and relevant statutory authority. One of its key advantages is efficiency: instead of processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis, CAPE consolidates refunds—including applicable interest—into a more streamlined workflow.

What to Expect in Phase 1

The initial rollout of CAPE focuses on a limited scope. Phase 1 applies to:

  • Certain unliquidated entries
  • Entries within 80 days of liquidation

CBP plans to expand CAPE’s capabilities in future phases to accommodate more complex scenarios.

How the CAPE Process Works

The refund process through CAPE is designed to be straightforward:

  1. Importers of Record (IORs) must have an ACE Secure Data Portal account.
  2. Refund recipients must provide bank account information within the ACE Portal to enable ACH refunds.
  3. IORs submit CAPE Declarations through the portal.

Once a CAPE Declaration is filed and accepted, CBP removes the IEEPA tariff classification, recalculates duties without IEEPA, and updates the entry. The agency then reviews and liquidates or reliquidates the entry. Refunds are consolidated by IOR (or designated party via CBP Form 4811) and liquidation date.

Preparing for CAPE

CBP encourages importers to prepare ahead of the launch by:

  • Ensuring they have an active ACE Portal account
  • Confirming ACH refund information is correctly set up

A variety of support materials—including enrollment guides, FAQs, and training resources—are available to assist users in getting ready.

Looking Ahead

CBP will continue to share updates and guidance through the Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) as CAPE evolves. As additional phases are rolled out, users can expect expanded functionality and support for more complex refund scenarios.

For technical inquiries, users can contact IEEPARefunds@cbp.dhs.gov, while general questions can be directed to traderelations@cbp.dhs.gov.

The launch of CAPE represents a meaningful step toward a more efficient, centralized, and user-friendly duty refund process for the trade community.

Schayer Co., will be able to provide support for our clients if they have questions regarding the process, however the responsibility for uploading the required data into the ACE portal will fall on the importers as some of our clients use multiple brokers, including couriers such as FEDEX and UPS. We don’t have access to all of that data.

All data required is accessible through the reports function in the ACE portal. We can also provide a report from our system in comparison to the entries that we have filed on an importer’s behalf.

Please find links to resource materials to help you through this process.

*Disclaimer: The articles provided reflect our perspective and are created by our employees. They do not constitute legal documents or comprehensive information. For further inquiries, please contact our staff for additional details.