Overview
- CBP told the Court of International Trade on March 12 that its ACE-based CAPE tool is progressing, with the claim portal at about 70% complete, mass processing at 40%, review/liquidation at 80%, and refunds at 60%, targeting initial use in roughly 45 days.
- Judge Richard K. Eaton continued the suspension of his universal refund order after finding CBP is making satisfactory progress, and he directed another status update on March 19.
- CAPE will accept CSV lists of entries from importers or brokers, validate them, remove IEEPA HTS numbers, recalculate duties, auto-calculate interest, and issue consolidated electronic refunds via ACH to designated accounts.
- CBP’s first release will handle most formal and informal entries but exclude unliquidated entries tied to antidumping or countervailing duties and entries in suspended, extended, or under-review status, leaving timing and prioritization unanswered.
- CBP cites an unprecedented workload—about $166 billion across more than 53 million entries—and legal advisers urge importers to enroll for ACH refunds, gather entry data, monitor liquidation and protest deadlines, and consider CIT litigation, where more than 2,000 cases are already filed.