On April 10, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that the first phase of CBP’s International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) refund processing tool, Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), is expected to launch on April 20.
CAPE is designed to consolidate refunds of IEEPA duties, rather than process refunds on an entry-by-entry basis. According to information from the RV Industry Association published April 13, will provide a simple, step-by-step system where the user first submits their request through an online portal and then the system quickly checks it and handles easy cases automatically. More complex ones are reviewed by a CBP officer. After that, CBP makes a final decision and updates the official records, and if the request is approved, any money owed is sent back to importers as a refund.
CAPE Phase 1 applies only to certain open entries and to select entries within 80 days of liquidation (finalization). Importers are required to maintain an account in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal and enroll in Automated Clearing House (ACH) to receive refunds electronically. Additionally, CBP remains under court order to provide another update on CAPE’s development by April 14. The new release does not provide information on Phase 2 or entries that were liquidated more than 80 days ago.
Despite the announcements, refunds are still not guaranteed as the administration appears to be continuing to find ways to reduce final refund amounts.
To read the latest CBP update, which includes information on enrolling in the ACE/ACH, click here. Additionally, CBP has launched a landing page for IEEPA duty refunds, including additional information on CAPE.
The RVIA continues to provide information as it becomes available. For a comprehensive overview of tariffs currently enacted, view the tariff tracker. Also, please contact Samantha Rocci, Director of Federal Affairs ([email protected]) with questions or for more information.
