16 Apr 2026 2 min read From the Trenches

You May Be Owed a Tariff Refund — Here's What to Do

If you imported goods from certain countries and paid IEEPA tariffs, you may be owed a refund. Here's how the CBP CAPE portal works and what to do with the money when it arrives.

Editorial note: This article was originally published on 16 April 2026, ahead of the CAPE portal launch on 20 April 2026. The Monday deadline has passed, but the steps for claiming IEEPA tariff refunds remain relevant — CBP has confirmed that later phases will cover entries liquidated more than 80 days ago. The process below still applies.

If you imported inventory from certain countries earlier this year, there's a good chance you're owed money back on the tariffs you paid.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful. CBP launched a refund portal called CAPE. Here's what you need to know.

Does this apply to you?

If you imported goods into the USA and paid IEEPA tariffs on those shipments, yes — you're likely eligible. For most CPG founders sourcing from Asia, this is relevant.

Phase 1 covers shipments that are either unliquidated (CBP hasn't formally closed out the entry yet) or liquidated within the past 80 days. Later phases will cover entries liquidated more than 80 days ago.

What you need to do

1. Contact your customs broker. They're the ones who can actually file on your behalf. Ask them to check the liquidation status of any relevant entries from the past several months.

2. Make sure your ACH bank details are on file with CBP. Refunds are paid electronically only. If CBP doesn't have your bank details, your refund sits in limbo. Your broker can help you sort this through the ACE Portal.

3. Get your entry numbers ready. The filing is simple — just a CSV of entry numbers. Your broker handles the rest.

What to expect after filing

Once your CAPE Declaration is accepted, refunds are expected within 60–90 days. CBP has indicated they're aiming for 45 days in straightforward cases. The refund includes interest, so the longer it takes, the slightly more you get back.

The cash flow angle

For bootstrapped inventory businesses, tariff costs hit hard — often right when you're already stretched thin on working capital. This refund won't fix everything, but it's real money coming back to your business. Treat it like a tax refund: nice to have, but don't spend it before it lands.

If you haven't already set up a dedicated holding account for unexpected windfalls like this, now's a good time. Drop it into your Profit First vault or a short-term savings account while you decide the best use for it.