U.S. Compliance Update: CIT Continues to Broaden Refund Order

While the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) found U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP’s) progress adequate in processing International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) refunds a fortnight ago, the order has now been broadened further … to even include finally liquidated entries!

CBP provided an overview of its Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) IEEPA refund program to Judge Robert Eaton of the Court of International Trade (CIT) on March 12, 2026, including the addition of a new ACE feature, the Consolidated Administration & Processing of Entries (CAPE). This portal will allow importers and customs brokers to submit IEEPA refund requests, referred to as “CAPE Declaration,” to CBP. Users will find a new tab in their ACE Portal accounts for both importers and customs brokers and will consist of four interconnected components:

• Claim Portal
• Mass Processing
• Review and Liquidation/Reliquidation, and
• Refund

In effect, importers with an ACE account, or their designated brokers, can upload an Excel file containing all verified records which will then allow Customs to review and issue refunds. The initial phase will handle most entries where IEEPA duties were previously paid, including both formal and informal entries. The system may initially exclude certain cases, including:

• Unliquidated entries subject to antidumping or countervailing duties
• Entries with ACE statuses such as Suspended, Extended, or Under Review
• Certain specialized entry types, including warehouse withdrawals and entries tied to drawback claims

CBP continues to expand system capabilities and address more complex scenarios. Further operational guidance will follow. If, as the Importer of Record, you wish to have KWE submit the CAPE Refund Request on your behalf, please contact the KWE Customs Trade & Compliance Group for assistance at: customs_compliance_group@kwe.com

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