5/4/26 — CBP Launches Comprehensive IEEPA Refunds Page; CAPE Refund Payments Could Begin as Soon as May 11

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has rolled out a comprehensive webpage dedicated to IEEPA duty refunds, consolidating filing instructions, FAQs, CSMS messages, and program updates in a single location. CBP has indicated it will update the page regularly and is encouraging importers and customs brokers to monitor it for new guidance.

The page provides detailed information on the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) functionality in ACE, which CBP launched in phases to streamline IEEPA refund processing. CAPE is designed to consolidate refunds, including interest, rather than handle them entry-by-entry.

Most notably, CBP reports that CAPE refunds are progressing on schedule, with actual payments expected to begin issuing as soon as May 11, 2026. Under CBP's stated timeline, valid refunds will generally be issued within 60 to 90 days after acceptance of a CAPE Declaration, with liquidated entries reliquidating the next business day after acceptance. Because Phase 1 opened on April 20, 2026, the earliest CAPE Declarations are now reaching the payment stage.