CBP Releases First CAPE IEEPA Refund Instructions

Apr. 10, 2026
By: Hannah B. Kreinik

The moment all importers have been waiting for has finally arrived! Earlier today, CBP released an ACE portal instructional document for submitting Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) declarations for multiple-entry IEEPA refund claims. The instructions explain that Phase 1 of the CAPE IEEPA refunds will include unliquidated entries and entries that are up to 80 days post liquidation. Assuming the refund data is uploaded, checked, and submitted properly, the CAPE declarations are then to be processed in bulk.

Importers, or those granted access to their ACE accounts, will be able to start the CAPE refund process in the ACE Portal, on the CAPE tab in the Importer, Filer, and Organizational Broker account. Customs intends claimants to use the File Uploads subtab to submit a CAPE declaration with the IEEPA entry numbers. The UPLOAD button should bring the filer to a CAPE declaration template to submit the affected entry numbers. Importers/brokers should also use the CAPE File Upload History to track the validity status for the CAPE declarations and review any applicable error codes.

Of course, we do not see any of this in ACE yet, but above is what Customs says they intend to implement by April 20. Please stay tuned as Barnes, Richardson & Colburn attorneys keep importers in the loop on IEEPA refund developments.