Customer Care Phone Number

Introduction: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has modernized its refund process, making electronic payments via Automated Clearing House (ACH) mandatory starting February 6, 2026. This guide explains the new ACE Portal procedure for importers and notify parties to authorize ACH refunds, ensuring you receive duty, tax, and fee refunds quickly and securely. Failure to enroll will delay your refunds after the deadline.

2. ELIGIBILITY & DEADLINE DECODER

Who Qualifies & What You Need:

Process Flowchart:

graph TD
    A[Start: Need to Receive CBP Refunds] --> B{Do you have an<br>ACE Portal Account?};
    B -- No --> C[Use Automated Application<br>to Create Top Account];
    C --> D[Add Importer Sub-account View];
    B -- Yes --> E{Has Importer<br>Sub-account View?};
    E -- No --> F[Follow Steps to Add<br>Importer Sub-account View];
    F --> G;
    E -- Yes --> G[Log into ACE Portal<br>as TAO or Proxy];
    G --> H[Navigate to Importer<br>Sub-account View];
    H --> I[Locate & Update<br>ACH Refund Authorization Tab];
    I --> J[Enter/Verify U.S.<br>Bank Information];
    J --> K[Ready for Electronic<br>Refunds by Feb 6, 2026];

Important: All parties receiving CBP refunds (duties, taxes, fees) must have an active ACE Portal Importer Sub-account with ACH banking information entered to receive payments after February 6, 2026.

3. STEP-BY-STEP CLAIM PROCESS (ACH ENROLLMENT)

Follow these exact steps to authorize electronic refunds.

1. Step 1: Secure ACE Portal Access with Importer View.
   • If you have an ACE TAO account WITH Importer Sub-account view: Proceed to Step 2.
   • If you have an ACE TAO account WITHOUT the view: You must add the Importer Sub-account view. Guidance is on the CBP “Managing an ACE Portal Account” webpage.
   • If you have no ACE Portal access (common for Notify Parties): Use the new automated application to create a top account with the Importer Sub-account view.
   • Pitfall: Not having a current CBP Form 5106 on file will block access. Ensure this is updated.
2. Step 2: Use the ACE Portal to Manage ACH Information.
   • Action: Log in to your ACE Portal top account as the Trade Account Owner (TAO) or an authorized Proxy/User.
   • Navigation: Go to the Importer Sub-account view and locate the new ACH Refund Authorization tab.
   • Action: View, add, or update your U.S. bank information (routing and account numbers).
   • Pitfall: Entering incorrect bank details will cause refund failures. Double-check all numbers.
3. Step 3: Verification & Monitoring.
   • Action: Run the REV-603 Trade Refund report in ACE Reports to view refund data and confirm eligibility.
   • Action: Keep your contact and bank information updated in the portal.

Submission Method: Exclusively online via the ACE Secure Data Portal.
Processing Timeline: Enrollment is immediate upon saving correct bank details. Future refunds will be processed electronically.
Payment Method: Direct deposit via ACH to your designated U.S. bank account.

4. REFUND SCENARIOS: WHAT’S COVERED VS. WHAT’S NOT

This policy governs how you receive refunds, not why. The enrollment is mandatory for all CBP-originated refunds.

5. PRO TIPS & COMMON REJECTION REASONS

• Maximize Efficiency & Avoid Delays:
  • Enroll Now. Do not wait until the February 2026 deadline. System delays or errors could disrupt your refund flow.
  • Use Official Training. CBP provides Information Notices and Training Guides for the modernized application and ACH tool—review them.
  • Verify Form 5106. Ensure your CBP Form 5106 (Importer ID Input) is current and matches your business information.
  • Delegate Access. Authorize proxies or trade account users in ACE to manage the ACH tab if the TAO is not the daily operator.
• Common Reasons for Refund Disruption (Post-Deadline):
  1. No ACE Portal Importer Sub-account.
  2. ACH tab not completed with banking information.
  3. Incorrect or invalid U.S. bank account details.
  4. Outdated or mismatched CBP Form 5106.
• Appeal Procedures: If a refund is denied on merits (e.g., a protest is denied), follow standard regulatory appeal processes. If a granted refund fails due to ACH enrollment errors, you must correct your information in the ACE Portal and coordinate with CBP’s refund office to re-issue the payment.

6. TIMELINE & WHAT TO EXPECT

Visual Timeline from Enrollment to Payment:
Today → [Enroll in ACE ACH] → (Ongoing) Refund Claim Granted by CBP → (Within CBP's Processing Time) Electronic Payment via ACH → Funds in Your Bank (Typically 1-3 Days Later)

• Expected Processing Times: Once enrolled, electronic refund processing is faster than paper checks. The timeline from CBP’s approval to fund availability depends on your bank’s ACH posting schedule.
• How to Check Status: Use the ACE REV-603 Trade Refund Report to monitor refund issuance. Contact your bank for ACH deposit status.
• Escalation for Delays: If a refund you are expecting is significantly delayed post-deadline, first verify your ACE ACH enrollment is active and correct. Then, contact the CBP office that granted the refund.

FINAL COMPONENTS

Key Takeaways Summary

• Mandatory Change: Electronic ACH refunds are required by February 6, 2026. Paper checks stop after this date.
• Action Required: All refund recipients must have an ACE Portal Importer Sub-account with banking info in the ACH Refund Authorization tab.
• Start Now: Notify Parties and those without access must use the new automated application to create an account.
• Verify & Monitor: Ensure your CBP Form 5106 is updated and use the ACE Refund Report (REV-603) to track payments.

Official Contact & Resource Box

• Primary Tool: ACE Secure Data Portal
• Key Resource: CBP “Managing an ACE Portal Account” Webpage
• Training Guides: Search for “Modernized ACE Portal Importer Account Application” and “New ACE Portal ACH Enrollment Tool” on CBP.gov.
• Report: Use the REV-603 report within the ACE Portal for refund data.

Next Steps / Recommended Actions

1. Determine Your Status: Do you have ACE access? With Importer view?
2. Gather Information: Have your business info, CBP-assigned numbers, and U.S. bank details ready.
3. Apply or Log In: Use the automated application or log into ACE.
4. Complete the ACH Tab: Navigate to the Importer Sub-account and enter your banking information.
5. Run a Test Report: Generate the REV-603 report to familiarize yourself with refund monitoring.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes based on CBP documents current as of 2025. U.S. Customs and Border Protection policies are subject to change. Always refer to the official CBP.gov website, Federal Register notices, and your legal counsel for the most current regulatory requirements.