Customs refunds now through ACH

May 2002

Importers have long paid duties and fees due Customs through the Automated Clearinghouse (ACH). This provides for electronic payment of funds and avoids the risk and delays associated with payment by check. Until now, however, any flow of funds from Customs back to the importer could be only in the form of check. Each individual refund required an individual check, leading to a large administrative burden especially for large importers. Now, upon submission of banking information, refunds will normally credit to the importer's bank account in two business days after liquidation of the entry resulting in the refund.

Refund payment information can be obtained by the importer directly from the internet with the Payment Advice Internet Delivery (PAID) system. Upon admission to the secure site, the importer can determine the status of any given payment. The system also includes automatic email notification when payments are made by Customs. There is no charge either for receiving refunds through ACH, nor for the PAID system.

Further information is available from your local office of Barnes, Richardson & Colburn, or, regarding the PAID system specifically, at http://fms.treas.gov/paid.