In a Cargo Systems Messaging Service announcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed that it will deploy the first phase of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool on April 20, 2026, within the Automated Commercial Environment Secure Data Portal (ACE). This release establishes an electronic process for submitting IEEPA duty refund claims and defines how entries will be recalculated and how refunds will be consolidated and issued.
WHAT FUNCTIONALITY WILL CAPE PHASE 1 INTRODUCE IN ACE?
Phase 1 introduces a centralized submission process through the ACE Portal. Importers of record and authorized brokers will submit CAPE Declarations to initiate refund claims.
Once accepted, CBP will remove the applicable IEEPA tariff provision and recalculate duties. The entry is updated to a new version for review, followed by liquidation or reliquidation. Refunds are consolidated by importer or designated party and issued following liquidation or reliquidation rather than processed individually by entry.
WHAT STEPS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A CAPE REFUND CLAIM?
CBP has outlined a defined submission process through the ACE Portal:
- Maintain an active ACE Secure Data Portal account
- Provide and maintain U.S. bank account information for ACH refunds
- Submit CAPE Declarations through the ACE Portal
The process begins with the CAPE Declaration. After acceptance, CBP performs tariff removal, duty recalculation, and entry review prior to liquidation or reliquidation. Refunds are issued electronically.
HOW DOES ACE PORTAL ACCESS AND ACH ENROLLMENT IMPACT REFUND PROCESSING?
Participation in CAPE requires access to the importer sub-account within the ACE Portal and completion of ACH refund enrollment. Bank account information must be added and maintained within the portal to receive electronic refunds. ACE reporting tools provide visibility into refund activity, including successful refunds and rejected payments.
HOW WILL REFUNDS BE CALCULATED AND ISSUED UNDER CAPE?
CAPE introduces a consolidated refund structure. CBP recalculates duties by removing IEEPA tariff lines and updating the entry before liquidation or reliquidation. Refunds, including applicable interest, are issued to the importer of record or an authorized designee and are grouped based on importer or designated party rather than processed individually per entry.
WHAT SHOULD IMPORTERS VERIFY BEFORE APRIL 20, 2026?
CBP is encouraging importers and brokers to prepare for CAPE filing by confirming ACE Portal access and ensuring ACH refund enrollment is complete. This includes verifying importer sub-account access and confirming that bank account information is current within the system.
Green Worldwide Shipping® developed a step-by-step ACE Portal setup and ACH enrollment guide to support this process, including account creation, importer record validation, and banking configuration requirements. The guide also outlines how to authorize access to the ACH refund function and how to add or update bank account details within the portal.
Preparing these elements in advance supports timely submission and reduces the risk of rejected or delayed refunds.
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