What happens after CBP approves my CAPE declaration?
Quick answer
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.
Detailed Answer
The post-approval process is largely automated. Here is what happens step by step.
Timeline from approval to your bank:
- Day 0: CBP allow-decision. CBP issues a protest-allowed or CAPE-allowed notice on your entries. You receive an email notification immediately.
- Days 1-3: Treasury ACHs you directly. The U.S. Treasury processes the full refund via ACH directly into your own bank account — the account you keep on file with CBP in the ACE portal. Under Executive Order 14247 (signed March 2025), all CBP refunds have been electronic since February 6, 2026 — no paper checks. Tariffi is never a payee or Notify Party and holds no clearing or escrow account.
- After the refund lands: Tariffi debits only its fee. Once your refund is in your account, Tariffi collects its contingency fee (10/15/18% per entry tier) — by invoice or, if you authorize it, a pre-authorized ACH debit — as set out in your Customer Fee Agreement. The broker's flat filer integration fee is paid by Tariffi from Tariffi's own funds — never billed to you.
What you see in your dashboard:
- Entry status changes from "CBP Processing" to "Allowed"
- Gross refund amount per entry (deposited to you in full by Treasury)
- Fee breakdown (contingency percentage applied to each entry based on its tier — debited from your account after the refund lands)
- ACH status and expected arrival date
Partial approvals:
CBP may allow some entries and deny others in the same declaration. Each entry is processed independently:
- Allowed entries → Treasury deposits the refund to you per the timeline above
- Denied entries → $0 fee owed, broker responds if contestable
After payout:
Your claim file remains accessible in the dashboard for record-keeping. Tariffi retains the data per 19 CFR Part 163 (7 years). If CBP requests a post-refund audit (rare), the broker partner responds within the LPOA scope at no additional charge.
Related Questions
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.
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.
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.
Can I track my claim status?
Yes. Your dashboard at tariffi.io/dashboard shows real-time claim status including entry-level progress, broker review status, CBP submission confirmation, and payout tracking. Every status milestone also triggers an email notification. If you have not received an update in 90 days, contact support — silence usually means we are waiting on CBP.
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