Why is my IEEPA refund less than expected?
Quick answer
Usually it is not a shortfall — it is how CBP pays. Refunds arrive in partial tranches as entries liquidate on different dates, and CBP consolidates payments into lump sums grouped by importer of record and liquidation date, so one deposit rarely maps to one entry. Duplicate REV-603 notices can also make totals look off. Reconcile per entry before assuming money is missing.
Detailed Answer
An ACH deposit that looks smaller than your approved claim is usually a payment-structure artifact, not a lost refund. Work through these in order:
1. Refunds arrive in partial tranches. CBP pays as entries liquidate or reliquidate — not as one check for the whole declaration. Entries in a single filing liquidate on different dates, so the refund arrives as a series of deposits over weeks or months. An early deposit covering the first tranche of entries is normal, with more to follow.
2. Payments are consolidated lump sums. CBP groups refund payments by importer of record and liquidation date. One ACH deposit may combine dozens of entries that liquidated the same day — and exclude entries from the same declaration that liquidate later. You cannot eyeball a deposit against your total claim; it has to be reconciled entry by entry.
3. Duplicate REV-603 notices. Some importers receive duplicated REV-603 refund messages for a single payment — a known messaging quirk that inflates what you *think* you were owed if you tally notices instead of deposits. Match notices to actual ACH credits before concluding anything.
4. Statutory interest is calculated separately. Refunds on protested or reliquidated entries generally include interest under 19 U.S.C. § 1505 at quarterly IRS-set rates (recently in the roughly 5-7% range). Interest may arrive with the principal or separately, which shifts individual deposit amounts.
5. Some entries may genuinely be excluded. Drawback conflicts, PSC-incomplete status, or per-entry rejections remove entries from payment. Your dashboard shows per-entry allow/deny status.
How Tariffi helps you reconcile. Tariffi tracks every entry's expected refund, liquidation date, and payment status, and matches incoming deposits against the per-entry schedule — grouped the same way CBP groups its payments. If a reconciled entry is allowed, liquidated, and more than five weeks past reliquidation with no deposit, we flag it for your broker to raise with CBP. If your numbers do not tie out, contact support and we will run the reconciliation with you.
Related Questions
What happens after CBP approves my CAPE declaration?
After CBP allows your declaration, Treasury ACHs the refund directly into your own bank account (on file with CBP in ACE) within 1-3 business days. Tariffi never holds the money — once it lands, we collect only our authorized contingency fee from your account — by invoice or, if you've authorized it, ACH debit — per your Customer Fee Agreement. You get email notifications at each step.
Where does my refund money go after CBP approves?
CBP/Treasury ACHs the refund directly into your own bank account — the account you keep on file with CBP in ACE. Tariffi is never in the money path: no clearing account, no escrow, no pass-through. After your refund lands, Tariffi collects only its authorized contingency fee (10%/15%/18% by liquidation status) from your account — by invoice or, if you authorize it, a pre-authorized ACH debit — as set out in your Customer Fee Agreement. Refunds typically settle 1-3 business days after CBP's allow-decision.
My refund went to my broker instead of my bank account. Why?
Almost always a stale Form 4811 notify-party designation: if your broker (or a former agent) was ever designated to receive refunds in ACE, CBP routes payments there until it is revoked. Ask your broker to forward the funds, then revoke the stale designation through your CBP Center of Excellence and Expertise. Tariffi never uses a notify-party — your refund goes to your own account.
How long does a tariff refund take?
Refund timing is governed by federal statute, not by Tariffi. CBP has up to two years to decide a protest under 19 U.S.C. § 1515, though most CAPE Phase 1 claims process faster. After CBP allows your claim, Treasury ACHs the refund directly into your own bank account within 1-3 business days. CIT filings for older entries add court calendar time.
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