Are there any upfront fees?
Quick answer
No. Tariffi charges zero advance fees, zero retainers, and zero deposits. You pay only a contingency fee when CBP approves your refund and Treasury sends the money. This is not just a policy — it is a legal requirement under 16 CFR § 310.4(a)(2), the federal Telemarketing Sales Rule.
Detailed Answer
Tariffi charges absolutely nothing up front. This is both a business decision and a legal obligation.
Federal law prohibits advance fees on recovery services. Under 16 CFR § 310.4(a)(2) (the Telemarketing Sales Rule), it is illegal for a recovery service to charge or collect any fee before delivering the promised recovery. Tariffi's contingency-only model is designed from the ground up to comply.
What this means for you:
- $0 to upload your ES-003 and get an eligibility analysis. The intake process is free.
- $0 to sign the engagement. The Contingency Fee Agreement and LPOA are free to execute.
- $0 while CBP processes. You pay nothing during the weeks or months CBP takes to review your CAPE declaration.
- Fee is deducted from your refund only after Treasury pays. When CBP allows your claim and Treasury ACHs the refund, Tariffi's contingency fee is deducted from the gross refund automatically. Your net recovery ACHs to the bank account you provided at intake.
- $0 if CBP denies your claim. You owe nothing on any denied entries.
No hidden costs. The contingency fee (10%/15%/25% depending on entry liquidation status) is the only charge. There are no document preparation fees, no broker fees passed through, no "technology platform" charges, and no subscription costs. The broker partner's flat filer integration fee is covered within Tariffi's contingency.
Compare this to alternatives. AmLaw trade practices typically charge $1,000-1,200/hour plus a separate 15-40% contingency. Some recovery services charge "evaluation fees" or "processing deposits." Tariffi charges zero until money is in your account.
Related Questions
How much does Tariffi charge?
Tariffi charges a contingency-only fee with three tiers: 10% on unliquidated entries, 15% on recently liquidated entries (within 180 days), and 25% on entries requiring CIT protective filing. No retainer, no advance fees, no deposits. If CBP denies your claim, you owe nothing on the denied portion.
How do I get a tariff refund?
Upload your ACE ES-003 entry-summary CSV to Tariffi. Our platform analyzes your entries for IEEPA and Section 301 overpayments, prepares the CAPE declaration data, and routes it to a CBP-licensed customs broker partner who files under their own license. No advance fees — you pay a contingency only when CBP approves your refund.
What happens if CBP denies my claim?
If CBP denies any entry in your CAPE declaration, you owe nothing on the denied portion. Your broker partner (Filer of Record) responds to any CBP Form 28 or Form 29 within the scope of the LPOA at no additional charge. For entries worth contesting, the broker may file a further protest or recommend CIT action.
How is Tariffi different from a law firm?
Law firms typically bill $1,000-1,200/hour plus a 15-40% contingency and take 6-18 months. Tariffi charges a tiered 10-25% contingency only, targets 8-12 weeks from filing to Treasury settlement, and never bills hourly. We prep the data; a licensed customs broker files. For CIT litigation, hire a law firm. For CAPE refund recovery, use Tariffi.
Need help?
Upload your ES-003 to see how much you could recover, or talk to our team.