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Refund Programs

What is CAPE?

Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries — CBP's portal for filing tariff refund declarations under IEEPA and Section 301. In the context of U.S. customs and tariff recovery, understanding cape is essential for navigating the CAPE refund process and ensuring accurate duty assessment.

Definition

CAPE — Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries — is a portal within the CBP ACE system specifically designed for processing tariff refund declarations. Launched in response to tariff reductions and eliminations under IEEPA and Section 301, CAPE provides a streamlined path for importers (through their licensed customs brokers) to declare entry numbers eligible for duty refunds. The CAPE program accepts CSV-formatted declarations listing qualifying entry numbers, and CBP processes refunds on a rolling basis. CAPE is distinct from the traditional protest mechanism (19 U.S.C. section 1514), which requires a case-by-case filing within 180 days of liquidation.

How CAPE Relates to Tariff Refunds

CAPE is the central mechanism for recovering IEEPA and Section 301 tariff overpayments. Tariffi automates the data preparation step: analyzing your ES-003 import history to identify qualifying entries, calculating overpayment amounts, and generating a CAPE-ready CSV. Your licensed customs broker then submits the declaration through ACE. Phase 1 covers entry-number-level declarations; Phase 2 will support line-level adjustments.

Example

An importer's broker uploads a CSV with 1,200 entry numbers to the CAPE portal. CBP validates the entries, confirms they are eligible for a reduced rate, and issues refunds totaling $3.4 million over the following 90 days via ACH to the importer's designated account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CAPE the same as filing a protest?
No. A protest under 19 U.S.C. section 1514 disputes a specific CBP decision within 180 days of liquidation. CAPE is a separate bulk-declaration program specifically for IEEPA and Section 301 tariff refunds.
Who can file a CAPE declaration?
Only licensed customs brokers with a valid Filer Code can submit CAPE declarations on behalf of importers. Tariffi prepares the data; your broker files it.
What format does CAPE accept?
CAPE Phase 1 accepts CSV files containing entry numbers eligible for refund. The CSV format follows CBP's published specification.

Related Terms

CAPE Phase 1The initial CAPE program window accepting CSV-based refund declarations for IEEPA and Section 301 tariff overpayments.CAPE Phase 2The upcoming expanded CAPE program phase for processing complex refund claims including line-level adjustments.ACEAutomated Commercial Environment — CBP's online portal for trade processing, entry filing, and data retrieval.ES-003Entry Summary report exported from the CBP ACE portal, containing historical import data used for refund claims.IEEPAInternational Emergency Economic Powers Act — federal law authorizing the President to impose emergency tariffs and economic sanctions.Section 301Trade Act provision authorizing tariffs in response to unfair foreign trade practices, notably applied to Chinese imports.Notify PartyIn ACE, the entity designated to receive notification of refund processing, including electronic Form 4811 submissions.

Legal References

  • CBP CAPE Program FAQ (April 2026)
  • 19 U.S.C. § 1514 — Protests (traditional mechanism)

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