Overview
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s CAPE portal went live Monday, and thousands of importers began filing refund claims as the site held up but intermittently rejected large file uploads.
- Up to about $166 billion is eligible for repayment, touching roughly 330,000 importers and 53 million entries, with 56,497 firms already set up by April 9 for about $127 billion in claims.
- CBP says approved refunds should arrive in roughly 60 to 90 days with interest, and early processing is prioritizing open entries or shipments within about 80 days, according to agency guidance reported Monday.
- The system follows a February Supreme Court ruling that struck down much of the tariffs, and CBP retains a short window into early May to seek further legal action, as major companies including FedEx, Costco, Toyota, and Goodyear submit claims.
- President Donald Trump told CNBC Tuesday he would remember companies that do not file for refunds, while firms debate whether to keep the money or pass it to customers, with FedEx saying it intends to credit clients.