The rollout of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) new tariff refund portal, known as the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool, is off to a strong start. However, a clear divide is emerging between importers ready to file and those still scrambling to prepare. The CAPE portal allows importers to submit consolidated refund claims tied to invalidated IEEPA tariffs.
Phase 1 of the rollout focuses on unliquidated entries and those within 80 days of liquidation, with additional phases expected to expand eligibility. This phase is critical in addressing the refunds owed to importers following the Supreme Court's February decision invalidating IEEPA-based tariffs.
Early signs suggest the system is working more efficiently than many expected, according to Erin Williamson, GEODIS' vice president of U.S. Customs Brokerage. The streamlined processing of the CAPE process has reduced wait times for importers, but challenges with rejected filings remain.
GEODIS is a global provider of transportation, warehousing and supply chain solutions, offering services across freight forwarding, contract logistics, distribution and express deliveries, and road transport. The company operates in nearly 166 countries with about 49,720 employees.
Despite the positive early performance, some importers are encountering challenges with rejected filings—and limited visibility into why. Rejection messages have been tied to timing issues or statements that don’t clearly align with filing requirements, leaving brokers and importers waiting for clarification from CBP.
Williamson emphasized that the process is not inherently favoring bigger companies, but rather those with operational readiness. Larger importers were already set up on the portal and had their ACH refund set up, giving them an advantage in processing the claims.
The readiness gap could delay access to billions of dollars in refunds for smaller and midsize importers—and some foreign importers of record—who are still working to establish ACE accounts and link bank information for refunds.
CBP initially indicated refunds could take 60 to 90 days, but early filings may be processed sooner. The faster-than-expected timeline is welcome news for importers eager to recover duties following the Supreme Court’s decision.
As the CAPE portal continues to roll out, it's essential for CBP and importers to address these challenges and ensure a smooth processing of refund claims.
The CAPE portal's streamlined processing has reduced wait times for importers, but challenges with rejected filings remain.
