WHAT IS THE NEW ACH REFUND AUTHORIZATION FUNCTIONALITY?
On September 24, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the release of a new Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) Refund Authorization tab in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal. The new functionality will become operational on September 30, 2025. This enhancement establishes the ACH Refund Authorization tab as the primary method for enrollment, though CBP will continue to accept the manual enrollment form by email when ACE access is not available.
HOW WILL THE NEW FUNCTIONALITY IMPROVE REFUND PROCESSING?
The ACH Refund Authorization tab is now the primary method to apply for ACH refunds. By enabling importers to submit bank account details directly through the ACE Portal, CBP accelerates processing and reduces manual handling. Once the account information is approved, all future refunds are deposited electronically to the designated U.S. bank account. Refunds issued electronically typically settle within one to two business days, offering a faster and more secure alternative to paper checks.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO USE THE ACH REFUND AUTHORIZATION TAB?
Any importer, business, or organization entitled to refunds or disbursements from CBP must first obtain an ACE Portal account before completing an application. The account setup process allows CBP to verify that the applicant is authorized to act on behalf of the party receiving the refund. Within the ACE Portal, only individuals with the designated account owner role may submit ACH Refund requests. CBP is also developing a new permission setting that will allow account owners to delegate access to other trade account users, with further guidance to be announced.
WHAT OPTIONS REMAIN FOR THIRD PARTY REFUND RECIPIENTS?
Importers may designate third parties, such as licensed customs brokers, to receive refunds by submitting CBP Form 4811 (Special Address Notification) to the appropriate Center of Excellence and Expertise. At this stage, third parties designated on Form 4811 will continue to receive refunds via paper check. CBP has indicated that electronic refund availability for third party designees will be expanded in a future phase, with additional guidance to be published in the Federal Register.
WHAT BENEFITS DOES THIS CHANGE PROVIDE TO THE TRADE COMMUNITY?
The deployment of the ACH Refund Authorization tab delivers multiple advantages:
- Faster refund processing, with settlement in one to two business days.
- Reduced administrative delays compared to the manual email process.
- Enhanced security over paper checks, lowering the risk of fraud, lost mail, or misdirected payments.
- Greater transparency through ACE Portal reports, allowing importers and brokers to track refund requests and statuses.
For CBP, the transition to electronic refunds reduces printing and mailing costs while minimizing resources spent on check fraud investigations and reissuance.
WHAT SHOULD IMPORTERS DO NEXT?
CBP strongly encourages importers and other entitled parties to apply for access to the ACE Portal if they have not already done so. Account owners should prepare to use the ACH Refund Authorization tab beginning September 30, 2025, to ensure timely and secure receipt of refunds. Third party recipients are also encouraged to establish ACE accounts, so they are prepared for future expansions of electronic refund eligibility.
Stay up-to-date on freight news with Green’s Weekly Freight Market Update by following us on LinkedIn. For continuous updates, make sure to check out our website at greenworldwide.com.
