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Plastics & Rubber Tariff Recovery

U.S. importers in plastics & rubber have paid an estimated $5.8B in IEEPA duties (modeled from import values; not a CBP figure). The most affected products include Plastic products, Rubber products, Packaging. Current duty rates range from 5-25% under HTS chapters 39, 40. Overpayments on these entries may be recoverable through CBP's CAPE program.

Tariff Impact on Plastics & Rubber

Duty Range

5-25%

IEEPA reciprocal is the CAPE-recoverable layer

Est. IEEPA Duties Paid

$5.8B

modeled from import values; not a CBP figure

HTS Chapters

2

Ch. 39, 40

The IEEPA tariff surcharges on plastics & rubber products have created significant duty overpayments for U.S. importers. Under the CAPE program, CBP allows importers to recover these overpayments through a streamlined declaration process. The estimated $5.8B figure represents the aggregate IEEPA duties paid across this sector, modeled from import values — it is not a CBP refund-pool number, and actual recoverable amounts depend on each entry's eligibility.

Most Affected Products

The following plastics & rubber products are among the most commonly affected by IEEPA reciprocal tariffs (the CAPE-recoverable layer):

ProductHTS ChaptersDuty RangeIEEPA Eligible
Plastic products39, 405-25%Eligible
Rubber products39, 405-25%Eligible
Packaging39, 405-25%Eligible

For a full HTS code lookup, see the HTS Code reference.

How to Recover

Recovering plastics & rubber tariff overpayments through CAPE follows these steps:

  1. 1

    Export your ACE data

    Log into ACE and download your ES-003 report filtered for HTS chapters 39, 40. This is the standard entry summary export that lists all your import entries.

  2. 2

    Upload to Tariffi

    Upload your ES-003 CSV to Tariffi. Our system automatically identifies plastics & rubber entries subject to IEEPA reciprocal tariffs (HTS 9903.02), calculates duty overpayments, and flags entries eligible for CAPE recovery.

  3. 3

    Review your recovery estimate

    See a detailed breakdown of qualifying entries, estimated refund amounts, and duty rates (5-25%). Tariffi provides entry-level detail so you and your broker can review every line.

  4. 4

    Your broker files via ACE

    Your licensed customs broker partner reviews the prepared CAPE declaration data, applies their professional judgment on HTS classifications, and files through CBP's ACE portal. Tariffi never files directly — your broker is always the Filer of Record under 19 U.S.C. section 1641.

  5. 5

    Receive your refund

    CBP processes CAPE declarations on a rolling basis. Refunds are generally deposited via ACH 60-90 days after acceptance, per CBP's stated timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What IEEPA tariffs affect the plastics & rubber industry?
Products in the plastics & rubber sector classified under HTS chapters 39, 40 are subject to IEEPA reciprocal tariffs (HTS 9903.02) ranging from 5-25%. These entries may qualify for refund recovery through the CBP CAPE portal. (Section 301 duties on the same goods are a separate statute recovered through other channels, not CAPE.)
How much can plastics & rubber importers recover?
U.S. importers in plastics & rubber are estimated to have paid approximately $5.8B in IEEPA duties (modeled from import values; not a CBP figure). Your actual recovery depends on your specific entry volume, duty rates, and the CAPE eligibility of each entry. Upload your ES-003 for a free analysis.
What products in plastics & rubber are eligible for tariff refunds?
The most commonly affected products include Plastic products, Rubber products, Packaging. Any product classified under the applicable HTS chapters that was imported with IEEPA reciprocal duties may be eligible for CAPE recovery.
How does the CAPE filing process work for my industry?
The process is the same across all industries: (1) Upload your ACE ES-003 export to Tariffi, (2) Tariffi identifies qualifying entries and prepares the CAPE declaration data, (3) Your licensed customs broker partner reviews and files via ACE. Tariffi is a data-preparation platform — your broker is always the Filer of Record under 19 U.S.C. section 1641.
Are there industry-specific considerations for plastics & rubber tariff recovery?
Yes. Plastics & Rubber imports may involve multiple HTS classifications across chapters 39, 40, each with different duty rates (5-25%). Tariffi's automated analysis handles multi-chapter entries and flags any that require additional broker review for classification accuracy.

Related resources

Calculate your plastics & rubber refund

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