U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will officially launch Phase 1 of the CAPE system on April 20, marking a major step forward in the processing of IEEPA tariff refunds.
The new tool, called the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), will be available through the ACE Secure Data Portal and is designed to simplify and streamline refund requests following court-ordered relief.
What Is CAPE and Why It Matters
CAPE provides an electronic process for submitting IEEPA tariff refund claims, replacing what would otherwise be a highly complex, entry-by-entry refund process.
Instead of issuing millions of individual refunds, CBP will:
- Consolidate refunds by importer
- Include applicable interest
- Automate key validation and recalculation steps within ACE
This significantly reduces administrative burden for both CBP and importers.
What Phase 1 Covers
The rollout of CAPE will occur in stages.
Phase 1 is limited in scope and applies to:
- Certain unliquidated entries, and
- Certain entries within 80 days of liquidation
Additional phases will expand functionality to cover more complex entry types.
How to Request IEEPA Tariff Refunds Through CAPE
The refund process is designed to be straightforward and fully digital.
Basic Requirements
To submit a refund request, importers must:
- Have an active ACE Secure Data Portal account
- Ensure bank account information is registered for ACH refunds
- Submit a CAPE Declaration through ACE
Authorized customs brokers may file on behalf of the Importer of Record (IOR).
Step-by-Step CAPE Refund Process
Once a CAPE Declaration is submitted, the system will follow a structured workflow:
- CAPE Declaration Filed
Submitted by the importer or authorized broker - Entry Validation
ACE validates entries and confirms eligibility - Duty Recalculation
IEEPA tariff lines are removed and duties recalculated - CBP Review
CBP reviews updated entries - Liquidation / Reliquidation
Entries are finalized based on updated duty calculations - Refund Issuance
Refunds (with interest) are consolidated and issued by importer
Refunds will be grouped by:
- Importer of Record (IOR)
- Or designated party via CBP Form 4811
- And by liquidation date
What Importers Should Do Now
CBP is encouraging importers and brokers to prepare ahead of the April 20 launch.
Key Preparation Steps
- Confirm access to the ACE Portal
- Verify ACH refund enrollment
- Ensure banking details are up to date
- Identify entries eligible for CAPE submission
Being prepared will help avoid delays once filing begins.
Additional Resources from CBP
CBP has released several tools to assist importers:
- ACH Refund Enrollment Overview
- ACE Portal FAQs
- Training videos and guides for ACE access
- CAPE Quick Reference Guide
- Training Guide: ACE Portal Importer Account Application
- Training Guide: ACH Refund Enrollment in the ACE Portal
- To learn more about CAPE functionality in ACE, please see CAPE Information Notice
These resources will support users as CAPE adoption begins.
What Comes Next
Phase 1 is only the beginning.
CBP plans to:
- Expand CAPE to cover more complex entry types
- Introduce additional automation features
- Provide further guidance as the system evolves
The CAPE rollout represents a critical step toward resolving the large-scale IEEPA tariff refund process.