CBP Portal for $170B Tariff Refunds Nears 70% Completion

Key Details The Trump administration is developing a web-based portal to process refund requests for nearly $170 billion in tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court. The Customs and Border Protection system, called the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), is approximately 70% complete with no official launch date confirmed yet. How It Works The automated system will verify and process refund claims electronically once importers submit requests. CBP officials say CAPE will handle the majority of formal and informal entries where IEEPA duties were paid in its first phase of development. Why It Matters A federal judge overseeing thousands of refund lawsuits ordered CBP to provide progress updates, saying the agency is making satisfactory progress. However, legal representatives worry the opt-in process may prevent small businesses from accessing refunds due to lack of resources or expertise. What's Next Judge Richard Eaton required CBP to submit another status update by March 19. The refund system will impact hundreds of thousands of U.S. importers who paid tens of millions in tariff duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act before the Supreme Court's ruling.