close
Thursday, April 16, 2026

U.S. set to launch tariff refund portal on April 20

The move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court paused the refunds of about $166 billion in tariffs paid by importers in February.

• April 16, 2026
Donald Trump
Donald Trump signing document

American companies seeking refunds for billions of dollars in now-invalid U.S. tariffs can start filing claims from April 20, after President Donald Trump’s administration announced the launch of a new online processing system.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said on Tuesday that the first phase of its Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries tool will go live next Monday through the Automated Commercial Environment Secure Data Portal, giving importers and customs brokers an electronic way  to request repayments.

In its notice, the agency said the new CAPE tool will help “simplify International Emergency Economic Powers Act duty refund requests made pursuant to court order.”

The move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court paused the refunds of about $166 billion in tariffs paid by importers in February, saying that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the law used to justify these tariffs, was unlawful.

Rather than handling repayments shipment by shipment, CBP said the new system was designed to group refunds together for each importer, including any interest owed.

“CAPE is designed to consolidate refunds of IEEPA duties, including interest, rather than processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis,” the agency said.

The first phase will cover selected goods entries that are either still under processing or were completed within 80 days, while more complex refund cases will be added in later phases.

To receive payments, importers of record and authorised customs brokers must first ensure they have an ACE Secure Data Portal account, upload their bank account details, and submit what CBP calls a CAPE Declaration.

According to the agency, the CAPE process begins with the importer or the customs broker who originally handled the shipment filing the CAPE declaration in the ACE portal.

Once accepted, CBP said it would remove the tariff number tied to the unlawful IEEPA duties, recalculate the correct amount owed, and then process the refund.

The agency urged companies planning to file claims to prepare in advance of the launch by confirming portal access and enrolling in automated bank refunds.

CBP added that it would continue to issue messaging via the Cargo Systems Messaging Service “to ensure the trade community is informed and prepared to utilise this new tool.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

MohBad

Showbiz

Court grants NGO’s plea for IGP to re-investigate Mohbad’s suspicious death

Justice James Omotosho granted the permission in a ruling on an ex parte motion moved by the NGO’s counsel, Tunde Falola, to that effect.

DRC women

Africa

DRC Violence: UN officials call for women’s leadership in peace efforts

UN officials have warned that despite diplomatic gains, violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continues unabated, stressing women’s leadership in peace efforts.

Doctors performing surgery

Politics

NMA members seek fairness, clarity in electoral process

Some members of the Nigerian Medical Association have called for greater clarity and fairness in the association’s electoral process.

Madonna on ‘Confessions II’

Showbiz

‘Confessions II’: Madonna announces sequel to ‘Confessions On A Dancefloor’ album

The artiste made a post on Wednesday with the cover art of the album and captioned it ‘Confessions On A Dance Floor: Part II—July 3 2026’.

Armed Cops

Education

Ondo: Police deploy adequate security to JAMB CTB centres

“This proactive measure is in strict compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu,” said Mr Jimoh.

Corps members

Education

INEC reaffirms commitment to youth inclusion

INEC has reaffirmed its commitment to youth inclusion, urging active participation in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration and future elections.