{"id":27831,"date":"2026-04-22T21:26:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T21:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/?p=27831"},"modified":"2026-04-22T21:26:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T21:26:40","slug":"how-to-get-a-tariff-refund-for-your-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/?p=27831","title":{"rendered":"How to Get a Tariff Refund for Your Business"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p><span>If you blanched at the tariff bills your small business rang up when President Trump implemented his signature economic policy, relief might be on the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>That is, if you&#8217;re willing to dig through mounds paperwork and tackle a government website.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\"><span>On Monday, April 20, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched a portal where importers and authorized brokers can apply for refunds on tariffs imposed under the Trump administration. <\/span><\/div>\n<p><span>To successfully get a refund, you must meet specific eligibility requirements and complete a detailed application process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Here\u2019s what you need to know about how the tariff refund process works.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<h2 class=\"heading font-gotham text-[1.5rem] font-medium\">Who qualifies for tariff refunds?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>To qualify for a tariff refund, you must be:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<ul class=\"list-disc ml-5 [&amp;&gt;li&gt;ol]:ml-4 [&amp;&gt;li&gt;ul]:ml-4 [&amp;&gt;li]:mt-2\">\n<li>\n<p><span>An importer of record (IOR),<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><span>Or an authorized customs broker who directly paid IEEPA tariffs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>The importer of record is the individual responsible for making sure imported goods follow all laws and who pays the IEEPA (as well as any other) tariffs. <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\"><span>Most small businesses are likely IORs \u2014 unless you worked with a shipping company for importing, like FedEx or UPS. Larger companies are more likely to have used a broker. You can verify if you\u2019re the IOR by checking your Entry Summary form, or <a class=\"text-blue dark:text-blue-light hover:underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cbp.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-02\/cbp_form_7501.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-nw-tracking=\"{&quot;impression&quot;:{&quot;event&quot;:&quot;link_viewed&quot;,&quot;setEventGroupId&quot;:&quot;9a3660da-34ff-48c7-b335-c0f832250219&quot;,&quot;properties&quot;:{&quot;entity_name&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;destination_url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.cbp.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-02\/cbp_form_7501.pdf&quot;,&quot;link_copy&quot;:&quot;${el.innerText}&quot;}},&quot;click&quot;:{&quot;event&quot;:&quot;link_clicked&quot;,&quot;properties&quot;:{&quot;entity_name&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;parent_event_id&quot;:&quot;9a3660da-34ff-48c7-b335-c0f832250219&quot;}}}\" rel=\"noopener\">CBP 7501<\/a>. <\/span><\/div>\n<p><span>If you worked with an authorized broker and it\u2019s listed, it can apply for a refund on your behalf. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>If you worked with a shipping company, however, and it\u2019s the IOR, you\u2019ll need to work with it to get a refund. UPS, for example, says it will apply for refunds for eligible customers and once it receives the money, pass it on to those businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<h2 class=\"heading font-gotham text-[1.5rem] font-medium\">Which entries qualify for refunds?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4\"><span>IEEPA tariffs include tariffs President Trump put in place to target Canada, China and Mexico, along with broader \u201creciprocal tariffs.\u201d On your customs documents, these entries will include a Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Chapter 99 code. An entry refers to a single import shipment filed with U.S. Customs, which includes tariffs paid on those goods.<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span>It\u2019s important to keep in mind, however, that during \u201cPhase 1,\u201d the CBP is only refunding:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<ul class=\"list-disc ml-5 [&amp;&gt;li&gt;ol]:ml-4 [&amp;&gt;li&gt;ul]:ml-4 [&amp;&gt;li]:mt-2\">\n<li>\n<p><span><span class=\"font-bold\">Unliquidated IEEPA entries.<\/span> Unliquidated entries means they\u2019re pending or \u201copen.\u201d In other words, you\u2019ve paid an estimated tariff amount, but U.S. Customs has not finalized its fees.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><span><span class=\"font-bold\">IEEPA entries that were liquidated in the last 80 days. <\/span>Liquidated entries are closed, meaning the CBP has finalized the total fees you owe on that import.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>The agency says that it plans to accept refunds for other types of entries, but has not yet announced a timeline for doing so.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<h2 class=\"heading font-gotham text-[1.5rem] font-medium\">How to apply for a tariff refund<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>If you\u2019re eligible for a tariff refund, you can apply through the CBP\u2019s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Follow these steps:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<h3 class=\"heading font-gotham text-xl font-medium\">1. Set up an ACE account.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4\"><span>If you don\u2019t have an ACE portal account, you\u2019ll need to create one in order to apply for a tariff refund. You can apply for an ACE account <a class=\"text-blue dark:text-blue-light hover:underline\" href=\"https:\/\/ace-accounts.cbp.gov\/s\/importer-form\" target=\"_blank\" data-nw-tracking=\"{&quot;impression&quot;:{&quot;event&quot;:&quot;link_viewed&quot;,&quot;setEventGroupId&quot;:&quot;feee6caf-5a05-4ccd-80c4-73380a6ed8fa&quot;,&quot;properties&quot;:{&quot;entity_name&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;destination_url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/ace-accounts.cbp.gov\/s\/importer-form&quot;,&quot;link_copy&quot;:&quot;${el.innerText}&quot;}},&quot;click&quot;:{&quot;event&quot;:&quot;link_clicked&quot;,&quot;properties&quot;:{&quot;entity_name&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;parent_event_id&quot;:&quot;feee6caf-5a05-4ccd-80c4-73380a6ed8fa&quot;}}}\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>. <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4\"><span>Before you apply, you should make sure that your CBP importer record (<a class=\"text-blue dark:text-blue-light hover:underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cbp.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-12\/cbp_form_5106.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-nw-tracking=\"{&quot;impression&quot;:{&quot;event&quot;:&quot;link_viewed&quot;,&quot;setEventGroupId&quot;:&quot;28dea356-20bf-49fd-8192-c541077748c2&quot;,&quot;properties&quot;:{&quot;entity_name&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;destination_url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.cbp.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-12\/cbp_form_5106.pdf&quot;,&quot;link_copy&quot;:&quot;${el.innerText}&quot;}},&quot;click&quot;:{&quot;event&quot;:&quot;link_clicked&quot;,&quot;properties&quot;:{&quot;entity_name&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;parent_event_id&quot;:&quot;28dea356-20bf-49fd-8192-c541077748c2&quot;}}}\" rel=\"noopener\">Form 5106<\/a>) is up-to-date. This form should list an email address that is not your broker\u2019s email \u2014 as you\u2019ll need an email to verify your identity when applying for an ACE account.  If needed, your broker can access the ACE portal and update Form 5106 with your email address.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<h3 class=\"heading font-gotham text-xl font-medium\">2.  Add bank information to ACE portal.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>Once you\u2019ve received account access, or if you already have it, you\u2019ll need to add your bank information in order to get a direct deposit refund. To do this, you\u2019ll go to the \u201cImporter sub-account\u201d view and find the \u201cACH refund authorization\u201d tab. In this tab, you can add or update your bank account information for receiving refunds.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<h3 class=\"heading font-gotham text-xl font-medium\">3. Confirm eligible tariff entries.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>Next, you\u2019ll need to find out which of your imports had IEEPA tariffs and check whether they qualify for a refund. You should look through your import records (Form 7501) for entries with an HTS Chapter 99 code (which means it\u2019s an IEEPA tariff). <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>From those entries, you\u2019ll need to make sure that they\u2019re either:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<ul class=\"list-disc ml-5 [&amp;&gt;li&gt;ol]:ml-4 [&amp;&gt;li&gt;ul]:ml-4 [&amp;&gt;li]:mt-2\">\n<li>\n<p><span>Unliquidated (i.e. not finalized yet), or<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><span>Liquidated (i.e. finalized) within the last 80 days.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>As a reminder, these are the only types of entries that are currently eligible for refunds.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<h3 class=\"heading font-gotham text-xl font-medium\">4. Prepare your Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) declaration.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>You\u2019ll submit your refund request as a \u201cCAPE declaration.\u201d Your declaration will include the eligible entry numbers in the form of a .CSV file. Each declaration is limited to 9,999 entries. If you have more than that, you can file multiple CAPE declarations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>To prepare this file, you\u2019ll:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<ul class=\"list-disc ml-5 [&amp;&gt;li&gt;ol]:ml-4 [&amp;&gt;li&gt;ul]:ml-4 [&amp;&gt;li]:mt-2\">\n<li>\n<p><span>Go to the CAPE tab in the Importer, Filer and Organizational Broker accounts section of the ACE portal.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><span>Within the CAPE tab, click file uploads.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><span>Download the CAPE Upload Template.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><span>Fill your eligible entry numbers in the template.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><span>Save the file.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<h3 class=\"heading font-gotham text-xl font-medium\">5. Submit your CAPE declaration.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>Once you\u2019ve completed the CAPE template, you\u2019ll upload it within the CAPE tab. If the file is accepted, the screen will read: \u201cSuccessfully Started Upload Job.\u201d At this point, the system will review your file for a second time \u2014 and if it\u2019s approved \u2014 you\u2019ll see your upload status as \u201caccepted\u201d within the CAPE file upload history. You\u2019ll also see a claim number.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>If, at any point during this process, there\u2019s an error with your file, you\u2019ll be notified and receive a reason why the file wasn\u2019t accepted. If this happens, you can correct the file and submit it again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The CBP will review your declaration (i.e. your refund request). The agency will update your import entries and close or reclose them. You should expect your refund to be issued within 60 to 90 days of an accepted CAPE declaration. You\u2019ll receive your refund through ACH transfer to the bank account you have on file.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/business\/loans\/news\/trump-tariff-refunds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you blanched at the tariff bills your small business rang up when President Trump implemented his signature economic policy, relief might be on the way. That is, if you&#8217;re willing to dig through mounds paperwork and tackle a government website. On Monday, April 20, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched a portal where<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27832,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[195],"tags":[183,101,1604],"class_list":{"0":"post-27831","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-personal-finance","8":"tag-business","9":"tag-refund","10":"tag-tariff"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27831","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27831"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27831\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}