Where does my refund money go after CBP approves?
Quick answer
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.
Detailed Answer
Your refund goes straight from CBP to you — Tariffi never touches it. Here is each step.
Step 1: CBP allow-decision. When CBP approves your CAPE declaration (or specific entries within it), they issue a protest-allowed notice. You receive an email notification the moment Tariffi detects the decision.
Step 2: Treasury ACHs you directly. The U.S. Treasury ACHs the full refund amount directly into your own bank account — the account you keep on file with CBP in the ACE portal. This typically settles 1-3 business days after CBP's allow-decision. Under Executive Order 14247 (signed March 2025), all CBP refunds have been paid via ACH since February 6, 2026 — no more paper checks. (Make sure your ACH details are current in ACE; see Add your bank info for CBP ACH refunds.)
Step 3: Tariffi debits only its fee. Tariffi is not a payee, not a CBP Notify Party, and holds no clearing, escrow, trust, or client-funds account. The refund never passes through us. Once it lands in your account, Tariffi collects only 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. You keep the rest — the gross refund minus that one authorized fee.
The broker's fee is on us. Tariffi pays the licensed broker partner a flat per-filing filer integration fee out of Tariffi's own funds, contingent on recovery (19 CFR § 111.36(b)). It is never billed to you and never a percentage of your refund.
Why direct-to-you? Because CBP deposits to the importer of record, your refund reaches you in one hop with no intermediary holding your money. Full disclosure is in the Regulatory Disclosures.
If your bank details changed: Update your ACH information directly in the ACE portal so CBP deposits to the right account. If you also need to re-authorize the fee debit, contact support@tariffi.io.
Total timeline: typically 1-3 business days from CBP's allow-decision to money in your account.
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.
How much does Tariffi charge?
Tariffi charges a contingency-only fee with three tiers: 10% on unliquidated entries (or entries liquidated within 80 days of engagement), 15% on entries liquidated 80–180 days ago, and 18% on finally liquidated 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 overpayments (recovered through CAPE) and Section 301 overpayments (recovered separately via USTR exclusions), prepares the filing 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.
Need help?
Upload your ES-003 to see how much you could recover, or talk to our team.