Inside Track: Tariff refunds are coming but you have to claim them. Here’s how.

If your business has been paying tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), there is good news: the U.S. government is preparing to refund a portion of those duties. The refund system opens April 20, 2026. But refunds will not be sent out automatically — you have to take specific steps to claim them, and some deadlines are already running.

IEEPA tariffs were applied broadly across a wide range of goods entering the U.S. starting in early 2025. Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the legal basis for those tariffs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is now required to return duties that were collected. For many importers, this represents a meaningful sum. 

🚨Key point: Don’t miss the window to file! You could lose out on the refund.

How the Refund Process Works

CBP is launching a new system called CAPE — Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries — through the ACE Portal beginning April 20, 2026. To claim a refund, the Importer of Record or their licensed customs broker must submit what is called a CAPE Declaration. No other party is authorized to do this on your behalf.

Phase 1 of the refund program covers two types of entries: certain unliquidated entries, and certain liquidated entries — but only up to 80 days past their liquidation date. That 80-day clock is already running for some shipments. The sooner you act, the better.

One important detail: once a CAPE Declaration is filed and accepted, it cannot be changed. Accuracy at the time of submission is critical, which is why having an experienced customs broker involved from the start is strongly advisable.

What You Need to Do — Depending on Where You Are Based

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are a foreign or domestic importer.

If you are a foreign importer — including Canadian businesses importing into the U.S. — you will need a CBP Form 4811 (Special Address Notification) filed with your customs broker. This form authorizes your broker to receive refunds on your behalf. Without it, no refund can be processed to you.

If you are a U.S.-based importer, you need either an active ACE Portal account with current bank (ACH) information on file, or a CBP Form 4811 filed with your broker. CBP will not release any refund until banking details are properly registered in the system.

Once a CAPE Declaration is accepted, refunds are typically issued within 60 to 90 days, paid electronically to your designated bank account. Notably, refunds will include interest on top of the duties recovered — so the amount you get back may be higher than what you originally paid in tariffs.

What Canaan Group Is Doing

We are already reaching out to clients who may be eligible and working alongside their customs brokers to make sure nothing is missed. If you are unsure whether your shipments qualify, if you need help with the CBP Form 4811 process, or if you simply want a second set of eyes on your documentation before filing, our team is here to help.

These are duties your business already paid. With the right steps taken now, you can get them back — along with interest.

Quick Reference: Key Dates and Steps

• April 20, 2026 — CAPE refund system opens via the ACE Portal
• 80-day window — liquidated entries must be claimed within 80 days of liquidation date; check your entries now
• Foreign importers — file CBP Form 4811 with your customs broker as soon as possible
• U.S. importers — confirm ACH banking details are active in your ACE Portal account
• All claimants — work with a licensed customs broker to prepare your CAPE Declaration; errors cannot be corrected after submission
• Refund timeline — expect payment within 60–90 days of an accepted declaration, via electronic transfer, including interest on duties recovered

Reach out to your Canaan Group contact today — or send us a message directly and we will get back to you promptly.