Tariffi vs. Law Firms
Large trade-law practices charge hourly plus contingency and run 6-18 months. Tariffi uses software-prepared data at a lower fee tier with faster processing.
Key differences at a glance
| Factor | Tariffi | Trade Law Firms |
|---|---|---|
| contingency | 10-18% contingency | 33-40% hourly + contingency |
| Software-prepared data | Software-prepared data | manual filing |
| day processing | 60-90 day processing | 6-18 months |
| Zero advance fees | Zero advance fees | $10K+ retainer |
| Comparison | Broker-filed CAPE declarations — per CBP's FAQ, only the importer of record or the licensed broker who filed the entries may submit a CAPE Declaration; attorneys cannot | Varies |
Tariffi advantages
- Lower contingency rates (10-18% tiered by claim size)
- No hourly billing or retainer required
- Automated ES-003 parsing eliminates manual data entry errors
- 60-90 day typical processing timeline
- Licensed broker partner files under their CBP license
Trade Law Firms advantages
- Full litigation capability for CIT appeals
- Can handle complex classification disputes
- Established relationships with CBP
- May bundle with other trade advisory services
The bottom line
For straightforward IEEPA reciprocal CAPE declarations, Tariffi offers faster processing at lower cost. Note one structural point from CBP's CAPE FAQ: only the importer of record or a licensed customs broker can submit a CAPE Declaration — attorneys cannot file it themselves, so a law firm engagement still requires a broker (or the IOR) for the actual CAPE filing. For complex litigation, Section 301 recovery (a separate non-CAPE path), or classification disputes, a trade law firm may be the better choice. Many importers use Tariffi for CAPE recovery and retain counsel only if CBP denies and CIT filing is needed.
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