US Customs Launches CAPE Tool April 20 to Process $170 Billion Trump Tariff Refunds

CBP announced that its CAPE tool will go live on April 20 to process tariff refunds.

“Update: April 8 Court of International Trade (CIT) Judge Richard Eaton has reissued his earlier IEEPA refund order after selecting Euro-Notions Florida as the plaintiff of the order’s new lead case”

Flexport

The Court of International Trade ordered the government to refund as much as $170 billion paid by roughly 330,000 importers.

Flexport

CAPE will initially process straightforward and recent import entries, leaving more complex scenarios for later.

Trade experts caution that importers should monitor their entries closely as liquidation processes continue despite the ruling.

CBP has been providing updates to the court on the CAPE process.

Trade lawyers advise a dual approach: filing lawsuits while participating in CAPE.

Many importers rely on customs brokers, but brokers are overwhelmed.

South China Morning Post

Powell recommends importers set up their own ACE accounts and authorize direct deposits.

The 180-day protest window remains a concern as entries continue to liquidate.

Some importers may need to file protests to preserve refund rights.

Not all entries will be eligible for CAPE Phase 1.

“Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is due to unveil its newly developed tool for processing International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff refunds on April 20”

WWD

Entries flagged for reconciliation, on a drawback claim, or covered by an open protest will be excluded.

The government has until June 7 to decide on appealing the refund mandate.

President Trump indicated plans to impose a 50% tariff on countries supplying military weapons to Iran.

Tariff policy remains a volatile and evolving arena.