Phase one of CAPE will soon begin with CBP (Customs and Border Protection) launching a Refund Portal on April 20. The Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal is a tool for IEEPA tariff refunds. President Trump originally imposed the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in 2025 to enforce reciprocal levies on importers. In particular, to address trade deficits, illegal migrants, and the influx of illegal drugs into the US. With the Supreme Court striking down the IEEPA tariffs, CAPE will soon begin on the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). With phase one of the CAPE portal starting on April 20, importers should be prepared and understand what to expect.
Why is CBP Launching A Refund Portal?
CBP is developing a CAPE portal in response to the Supreme Court ruling that IEEPA tariffs are illegal. Following the ruling, the Court of International Trade (CIT) ordered CBP to refund all importers who paid IEEPA tariffs. Due to the volume of levies the IEEPA refund, CBP created CAPE to streamline the process. While the refund portal is phase one of the CAPE system, the system will have four phases, including:
- CAPE Portal
- Mass Processing
- Review And Liquidation or Reliquidation
- Refund
CHB notes that the CAPE portal will process refunds 60 to 90 days from the declaration acceptance date. Once the portal is complete, all IEEPA amounts will be refunded via electronic payment.
How Should Importers Prepare for the Refund Process?
With the Cape refund process set to start soon, it is essential to prepare and understand the process in advance. Importers must ensure that all information in the ACE portal matches the entry that they originally declared. This means that duty amounts, HTS classifications, and the importer of record information must be correct. There may also be additional documentation and scrutiny that shippers must be aware of and account for. Shippers must understand that eligibility for phase one will be limited to unliquidated entries and entries within approximately 80 days of liquidation. Importers should also pay attention to news regarding the CAPE system by checking websites that provide constant updates.
Although the refund process is an excellent opportunity for shippers, it may be confusing for inexperienced importers. Another way to prepare for using the CAPE system is to speak with a customs broker. Brokers are licensed individuals or corporations that arrange customs clearance for imports on behalf of the importer. They do this by acting as intermediaries between the importer and CBP. Brokers provide solutions such as calculating duties, providing documentation, filing entries, and more. They also provide consultation for guiding you through situations like a tariff refund. Reach A1 Worldwide Logistics at info@a1wwl.com or 305-912-0631 to speak to a broker regarding a shipment’s success.
