CBP Launches Online System To Process Massive Tariff Refunds

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has officially rolled out a new online portal that allows businesses to claim refunds on tariffs that were later ruled unlawful. The system—known as CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries)—is designed to handle what could become one of the largest government refund efforts in U.S. history. In total, roughly $166 billion in tariffs paid by more than 330,000 importers is eligible to be returned. 

Why refunds are happening

The refund process stems from a February 2026 Supreme Court decision that struck down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court determined that the tariffs exceeded presidential authority, forcing the government to return the money collected. 

How the new portal works

Businesses—or their customs brokers—can now submit refund claims through the CAPE portal by uploading detailed entry data tied to their tariff payments.

The system supports:

• Bulk submissions with multiple entries 
• Electronic verification and processing 
• Automated refund payments once claims are approved 

CBP expects most refunds to be issued electronically, streamlining what would otherwise be a highly manual and time-consuming process.

Early progress and scale

So far, activity has already begun:

• About 56,000 importers have completed steps to receive refunds 
• Around $127 billion (82%) of total tariff payments is eligible for electronic repayment 

Despite the early momentum, that still represents only a fraction of the total number of affected businesses.

What companies should expect

Even with the portal live, refunds won’t be immediate.

• Most payments are expected to take 45 to 90 days after approval 
• More complex claims could take longer to process 

There may also be technical hiccups as the system handles large volumes of submissions, with some users already reporting upload issues and delays on launch day. 

Will consumers see any money?

Not directly. Refunds are being issued to the importers who originally paid the tariffs, not to consumers—even though higher prices may have been passed along. Whether shoppers benefit will depend on if companies choose to lower prices or return money voluntarily. 

Bottom line

The launch of the CAPE portal marks a major step in returning billions of dollars in tariffs, but the process is just beginning. While the system is designed to handle claims efficiently, businesses should expect a gradual rollout, possible technical issues, and some waiting before funds are fully distributed.

Click here for additional information on the program.