Promo Insiders Deep Dive: The Hidden Complexity of the Tariff Refund Process
A trio of experts discuss how promo companies can successfully claim their tariff refunds in the inaugural episode of our new in-depth podcast.
In April, the U.S. government launched the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal, which opened a pathway for importers to claim refunds on the tariffs that the Supreme Court struck down back in February.
At first glance, the CAPE tariff refund process appears to be going smoothly. To date, roughly $20 billion has been returned to the importers of record who initially paid these duties. But behind the curtain, there’s a more complicated story.
Introducing Promo Insiders Deep Dive, a new podcast from Counselor that takes an in-depth look at the trends, issues and stories driving the promotional products industry. In this premiere episode, Digital News Editor Tara Lerman sits down with tariff refund experts to uncover how promo companies effectively navigate the process to reclaim the money they’re owed.
Mentioned in this episode:
Step-by-Step Instructions for Claiming Tariff Refunds
Judge Urges Trump Administration To Back Off Tariff Refund Appeal, Speed Up Process
U.S. Government Launches Online Portal for Tariff Refunds
ACE Portal: CAPE Declarations & Error Definitions
CBP International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Duty Refunds
Key Takeaways
• The U.S. government launched the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal in April to allow importers of record to claim refunds on IEEPA tariffs that were struck down by the Supreme Court.
• Only importers of record are legally eligible to file refund claims, though customs brokers can submit claims on their behalf. About $20 billion has already been returned.
• Eligibility hinges on “liquidation,” a largely unseen process where Customs finalizes an entry – typically within 314 days – followed by an 80- or 90-day window before final liquidation.
• While the CAPE portal itself is efficient and user-friendly, many businesses struggle due to incomplete or inaccessible data needed to support their claims.
• Experts advise eligible companies to prioritize CAPE Phase 1 for refunds and, if that path is unavailable, to pursue court filings as an alternative method to recover funds.