What does underwriter-led discovery mean?
Quick answer
A named Tariffi underwriter owns your portfolio kickoff: eligibility scan across all your Filer Codes, recovery-probability heatmap per entry vintage, and a single readout before any filing goes to broker review. Underwriter-led is for importers with multi-broker portfolios where standard self-serve intake would miss cross-broker edge cases.
Detailed Answer
Underwriter-led discovery is Tariffi's mid-market service tier for importers with $500K-$5M in duty paid who need more structured analysis than the self-serve intake but do not require a full enterprise engagement.
What the underwriter does:
- Portfolio-wide eligibility scan. The underwriter analyzes ES-003 data across all your Filer Codes — not just one broker's entries, but your complete import footprint. This catches cross-broker opportunities that single-broker analysis would miss.
- Recovery-probability heatmap. Each entry is scored by recovery probability based on HTS code, liquidation status, entry vintage, and any known complications (drawback conflicts, valuation issues, classification edge cases). The heatmap gives you a clear picture of where the easy wins are versus where filing would be speculative.
- Single readout. Before any filing goes to broker review, the underwriter presents a consolidated analysis: total estimated recovery, recommended filing strategy (which entries to file first, which to hold pending further analysis), and any issues that need resolution.
When underwriter-led makes sense:
- You use 2+ customs brokers and need consolidated analysis
- Your portfolio spans 5+ HTS chapters
- You have entries approaching the 180-day liquidation window and need prioritization
- Your internal compliance team wants a structured readout before approving the engagement
Timeline: The underwriter typically delivers the initial portfolio readout within 5 business days of receiving all ES-003 files. Filing commences after your approval.
Pricing: Mid-market pricing uses the standard 10/15/25% contingency tiers with no additional fee for the underwriter-led discovery. For portfolios above $2M in estimated recovery, custom pricing may apply — contact underwriter@tariffi.io.
Related Questions
We use multiple customs brokers. Do you work with all of them?
Yes. Tariffi's partnership architecture is broker-agnostic — we route each entry's preparation to the licensed broker who already has the ABI Filer Code for that entry. No broker-switch disruption. If a broker we have not partnered with yet owns some of your filings, we onboard them on your timeline.
What's different about enterprise pricing?
Enterprise importers ($5M+ duty paid) receive custom-priced contingency below the standard 10/15/25% tiers, a co-advisory engagement structure that accommodates existing tax or trade counsel, and a dedicated underwriter. Volume-based fee negotiation starts at the first conversation. Contact enterprise@tariffi.io.
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 know if my entries are eligible?
Upload your ES-003 entry-summary CSV at tariffi.io/intake/start. Tariffi's analysis engine automatically cross-references each entry's HTS codes against the CAPE-eligible tariff schedule, checks liquidation status, identifies disqualifying factors, and shows you a per-entry breakdown of eligible amounts and applicable fee tiers.
Need help?
Upload your ES-003 to see how much you could recover, or talk to our team.