CBP updated validation checks for CAPE IEEPA refund declarations
CBP title: Update to Entry-Level Validations for CAPE Declarations
This message is from June 25, 2026. Later CSMS messages may have changed it. See the latest trade news
What did CBP announce?
CBP announced changes to entry-level validations for CAPE Declarations filed in ACE for IEEPA duty refunds. It removed the goods value validation error and split the HTS relationship/sequence mismatch error into two more specific errors: invalid HTS and HTS relationship mismatch. CBP told filers to resubmit affected entries on a new CAPE Declaration, filing a Post-Summary Correction first when an HTS code was expired or missing a related code.
What is Allied's position?
This update affected how CAPE Declarations we file for IEEPA duty refund entries were validated in ACE. We applied the corrected validations and filed Post-Summary Corrections where CBP required them before resubmitting entries. Later CSMS messages may have changed these validation rules since June 2026, so clients with pending IEEPA refund entries should ask us to confirm the current status of their specific entries.
General information, not legal advice.
What does the CBP message say?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has updated certain validations performed on entries included on Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) Declarations filed in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
Entries that previously resulted in the following error messages should be resubmitted on a new CAPE Declaration.
• GOODS VALUE AMOUNT MUST BE REPORTED ON THE CH 1-97. The validation resulting in this error message has been removed. Entries that previously triggered this error will now be accepted.
• HTS RELATIONSHIP/SEQUENCE MISMATCH. The error message has been broken out into two, more specific, error messages, and the underlying validation has been narrowed to no longer exclude certain valid entries. Entries that previously triggered this error message will now be accepted, or they may result in one of the following new error messages.
• INVALID HTS - This error message results when the line action date is not within the “begin” and “end” dates of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes on the entry.
• Guidance: If the HTS code has been end-dated and replaced with a new HTS code since the entry summary was originally filed, submit a Post-Summary Correction (PSC) for the entry to remove the expired HTS code and replace it with the new, replacement HTS code. Once the PSC has been successfully processed, resubmit the entry on a new CAPE declaration. Filers needing technical assistance with filing the PSC should contact their assigned client representative for this or other errors.
• HTS RELATIONSHIP MISMATCH - This error message results when an HTS code designated as an add/replace/derived HTS code (an HTS code with an associated range of HTS codes required for duty calculation) exists on the entry, but the corresponding HTS code has not been provided.
• Guidance: File a PSC to provide the appropriate corresponding HTS code(s). Once the PSC has been successfully processed, resubmit the entry on a new CAPE declaration. Filers needing technical assistance with filing the PSC should contact their assigned client representative for this or other errors.
A complete list and descriptions of CAPE validation error messages is available at the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Duty Refunds webpage (https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/trade-remedies/ieepa-duty-refunds) and the CAPE Declarations and Error Definitions Quick Reference Guide (https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/ace-portal-cape-declarations-and-error-definitions).
Technical questions regarding this message should be directed to IEEPARefunds@cbp.dhs.gov (mailto:IEEPARefunds@cbp.dhs.gov). ACE technical questions should be directed to the ACE Account Service Desk (ASD) at 866-530-4172 or ace.support@cbp.dhs.gov (mailto:ace.support@cbp.dhs.gov).
Related Message Number(s): 68396594, 68315804, 68340863