CBP started issuing all refunds through ACH instead of checks
CBP title: Electronic Refunds IFR Effective Today – Updated FAQs Now Available
This message is from February 6, 2026. Later CSMS messages may have changed it. See the latest trade news
What did CBP announce?
CBP announced that, starting February 6, 2026, it would issue all refunds electronically through ACH, with limited exceptions, under the Electronic Refunds Interim Final Rule. CBP updated its ACE Portal and ACH Refunds FAQ and published enrollment guides and training materials. The notice encouraged importers and brokers to review the resources and complete any needed ACH enrollment steps.
What is Allied's position?
This rule set up the ACH refund system that CBP still uses, including for IEEPA duty refunds processed through CAPE Declarations. Clients who have not enrolled for ACH refunds in the ACE Portal should confirm their enrollment so any refund CBP owes them, including on entries we file, can be paid electronically. If you are unsure whether your account is enrolled, ask us and we can point you to the CBP enrollment resources.
General information, not legal advice.
What does the CBP message say?
Beginning today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will issue all refunds electronically via Automated Clearing House (ACH) (subject to limited exceptions), as announced in the Electronic Refunds Interim Final Rule published January 2, 2026 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/02/2025-24171/electronic-refunds), in the Federal Register.
The ACE Portal and ACH Refunds Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), linked below, have been expanded and updated. CBP encourages the trade community to review the extensive resources below and take any necessary action.
CBP Resources: ACE Portal Access and ACH Refund Enrollment
• UPDATED! ACE Portal and ACH Refunds FAQs (https://www.cbp.gov/trade/automated/ace-portal-and-ach-refunds-faqs)
• Reference Sheet: ACH Refund Enrollment Overview (https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/cbp-modernizes-electronic-refund-enrollment-process)
• January/February User Support Call Information: ACH Refund Enrollment Support Call Schedule (https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-4030112?wgt_ref%3DUSDHSCBP_WIDGET_2&data=05%7c02%7cwilliam.c.baldwin%40cbp.dhs.gov%7c25d9c1e3552a48285f9e08de5861c173%7ce4b16b844c564f279af730345a161ad4%7c0%7c0%7c639045374044068248%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7c0%7c%7c%7c&sdata=IA73ntBLBbM8WaLm1MOXzMy6w4pTzOCZ2ZTPggpFPiM%3D&reserved=0)
• Information Notice: ACE Portal Updates to Enable Electronic Refund Enrollment (https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/trade-information-notice-ace-portal-updates-enable-electronic-refund-enrollment)
• Information Notice: Automated ACE Portal Application for Importer Accounts (https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/trade-information-notice-automation-ace-portal-account-application-process)
• Information Notice: ACE Portal Feature for Trade Users to Add Notify Parties (https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/trade-information-notice-ace-portal-feature-trade-users-add-notify-parties)
• Training Guide: ACH Refund Enrollment in the ACE Portal (https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/ace-portal-ach-bank-information-electronic-refunds)
• Training Guide: ACE Portal Feature to Add Notify Parties (https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/ace-portal-notify-party-information-qrc)