CBP CAPE Filing Update: IEEPA Refund Validation Trends and What Importers Need to Know
To Our Valued Partners,
CBP just released the latest CAPE data, and it tells us a lot about what is working and what is getting in the way.
The biggest lesson so far? Speed doesn’t win here. Accuracy does.
What CBP Reported
CAPE Phase 1 went live on April 20, 2026 at 7:11 a.m. ET and the response was immediate. ACE log-ins jumped roughly 70% above the previous daily record on day one alone.
Here’s where things stand as of April 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET:
- 75,306 CAPE Declarations submitted
- 47,315 passed file validation (62.8%)
- 11,222,927 entries accepted for IEEPA duty removal
- 2,124,394 entries rejected at entry validation, even though the file itself passed
- ~1,740,000 entries are now liquidated and in the refund process
CBP confirmed CAPE has been running as intended since launch, with only an 18-minute pause on April 20 to optimize system processing.
What These Numbers Are Actually Telling Us
Your file can pass validation and your entries inside that file can still get rejected. Those are two separate checkpoints, and right now the second one is where most people are hitting a wall.
Getting through file validation is just step one.
CAPE is not a simple filing tool. It is a validation system, and it is working exactly as designed. The entries moving forward are the ones that came in clean.
|
Common Errors That Are Stopping Entries
These are the errors tripping up the most entries right now. If any of these apply to your shipments, they need to be resolved before you file or resubmit:
The most common issues include entries tied to drawback claims, entries flagged for reconciliation, final liquidation status outside Phase 1 scope, protests or court injunctions, missing IEEPA HTS lines, entries not found or active in ACE, incomplete statement processing, and entry types not eligible under CAPE Phase 1.
One additional item to be aware of: CBP recently added a new error specifically tied to the CAPE process. If a CAPE refund is already in process for an entry, a Post Summary Correction (PSC) cannot be filed against that entry. If you were planning to submit a PSC on any entries currently moving through CAPE, hold off and reach out to your broker first to discuss your options.
Tracking Your Status in ACE
CBP has added claim status tracking inside ACE so you can see exactly where your submission stands, from file validation all the way through to refund status. It is a helpful tool, but it doesn’t replace the need for clean, accurate data going in.
What You Should Do Before Filing or Resubmitting
Run through this checklist before you submit:
- ✅ ACE Top Account access is active
- ✅ ACH refund banking info is set up correctly in ACE
- ✅ Entry numbers are verified and accurate
- ✅ IEEPA HTS lines are present where required
- ✅ Liquidation status has been checked
- ✅ Any entries involving protest, drawback, reconciliation, or suspension have been identified
- ✅ You’ve looped in your customs broker if anything looks unclear
The Bottom Line
The system is working. But nearly 1 in 3 entries is hitting a wall at validation. Filing fast won’t help if the entries aren’t clean.
Take the time to get it right the first time.
QUESTIONS?
CAPE is new territory for a lot of importers and that is exactly why I am here. I am watching this process closely and am ready to walk through your entries with you before you file. Do not guess. Call me first.
📞 833-782-7628 Ext. 1
Resources
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Duty Refunds — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
CBP Declaration: CAPE Process Update – Brandon Lord, April 28, 2026
