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ACE Portal adds email or text verification for ACH refund changes from October 10
CBP will require email or SMS verification for ACH refund information changes in the ACE Portal beginning October 10, 2026. Authorized users who add or modify ACH refund information in an importer sub-account will receive a security token by email, with an option for SMS. The change will not complete without the token. Other authorized users on the sub-account can choose to receive email or SMS alerts after any ACH refund change.
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This change affects importers who manage their own ACH refund information in their ACE Portal importer sub-account. It does not change how we file entries. If you expect CBP refunds, including IEEPA refunds, make sure the email and phone details on your ACE Portal account are current so you can receive the token. Consider enabling change alerts for other authorized users on your sub-account.
CBP moves Entry Type 13 mail test guides from draft to current ACE chapters
CBP implemented the Entry Type 13 (ET13) test for U.S. mail processing in ACE on September 22, 2026. CBP moved the related Cargo Release and Entry Summary implementation guides from the draft section of its CATAIR page to the current sections. The moved documents include the PGA Flag Enforcement Table, the Prior Notice stand-alone filing guide and the Entry Summary Error Dictionary.
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This is a technical update for software developers and filers who transmit Entry Type 13 data to ACE. We file mail entries, including entry type 13, and we follow the current CATAIR guides for them. Clients do not need to act because of this message. Clients who ship by mail can ask us how Entry Type 13 applies to their shipments.
CBP adds SMS option for ACE Portal login authentication
CBP enhanced ACE Portal login security on September 12, 2026, by adding SMS as a multifactor authentication option. After logging in via email, users can register a mobile phone number to receive login tokens by text instead. The feature is optional and users can manage or remove it under Manage Preferences.
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This is an optional login security feature for ACE Portal accounts and does not change how we file entries. Clients do not need to do anything, but any of our staff or client users with their own ACE Portal logins may choose to register a phone number for SMS authentication.
CBP's ACE user survey closed September 11, 2026
CBP asked ACE trade community users to complete a voluntary, anonymous satisfaction survey about ACE capabilities and user experience. The survey closed at 11:59 p.m. ET on September 11, 2026.
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This survey is now closed and required no filing changes on our part. It did not affect how we file entries for clients, and no action was needed then or now.
CBP finalizes rule requiring electronic export manifests for rail cargo
CBP published a final rule on August 26, 2026 requiring Electronic Export Manifest (EEM) filing in ACE for rail cargo departing the U.S. to Mexico or Canada. The rule sets electronic transmission requirements, eligible filers, and submission timeframes before departure. It takes effect October 26, 2026, but CBP will not begin enforcing it until October 26, 2027.
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This rule concerns rail carriers and parties who file export manifests, not import entries that we file for clients. We do not file export manifests, so this does not change the entries we handle. Clients who also move cargo outbound by rail to Mexico or Canada should confirm with their carrier or export filer that they will be ready for ACE EEM filing before the October 2027 enforcement date.
CBP asked ACE users to complete a 2026 satisfaction survey (survey closed)
CBP announced a voluntary, anonymous 2026 ACE User Satisfaction Survey open to all Automated Commercial Environment users. The survey asked users to rate their satisfaction with ACE capabilities and experience. It closed at 11:59 p.m. ET on August 28, 2026.
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This was a voluntary CBP survey about the ACE system and did not affect entries we file. The survey window closed on August 28, 2026, so no action is available now. Clients did not need to do anything at the time and do not need to do anything now.
CBP Urged Importers to Check ACH Enrollment to Avoid Refund Rejections
CBP announced that brokers and importers could use the ACE REV-613 report to find refunds rejected for missing ACH enrollment. It advised affected importers to enroll for ACH refunds in the ACE Portal and notify CBP's ACH refund support email. CBP warned that importers not enrolled in ACH could keep experiencing refund delays or rejections.
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This notice concerns how importers receive refund payments from CBP, including duty refunds tied to entries we file. We recommend clients confirm their ACH enrollment status is current, since this affects how quickly they receive any refunds, including IEEPA duty refund payments. Clients who are unsure of their ACH enrollment status should contact Allied so we can help review their entries and refund records.
CBP resolved an ACE quota processing issue affecting certain chapter 99 HTS codes
CBP announced on August 6, 2026 that it had resolved an issue with quota processing in ACE. The issue involved specific chapter 99 HTS codes. The message followed CSMS # 69395228, which reported the issue.
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This notice closed out a temporary ACE system issue, and clients did not need to act. Later CSMS messages may have changed quota processing, so clients with questions about entries under chapter 99 codes should ask Allied to review them.
CBP reported a quota processing glitch for certain Chapter 99 HTS codes in ACE
CBP announced on July 30, 2026 that it found a problem with quota processing in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) affecting specific Chapter 99 harmonized tariff schedule codes. CBP said it was investigating the issue and would issue a follow-up message once a solution was implemented. The message did not name the affected codes or give a timeline for a fix.
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This notice affects quota entries tied to certain Chapter 99 HTS codes in ACE. We do not know if CBP has since resolved the issue or issued a follow-up message, so clients with quota entries from this period should ask us to review whether their specific entries were affected.
CBP posted more technical guides for the mail Entry Type 13 test in ACE
CBP announced on July 20, 2026 the Entry Type 13 test for U.S. mail processing in ACE through CSMS 69289734. This follow-up message said CBP had published additional draft guides, the ACE CATAIR Entry Summary Query and the ACE CATAIR Error Dictionary for Entry Summary, to support that test. CBP said any future updates would be announced by separate CSMS message.
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This message only added technical documentation for the ACE mail Entry Type 13 test and did not change entry filing requirements itself. It affected system programming for parties involved in mail entry processing, not day to day filing steps for our clients. Clients with mail shipments should ask us if they want to know how the Entry Type 13 test or later CSMS updates affect their entries.
CBP Ran a Short ACE Maintenance Outage in July 2026
CBP announced a planned ACE system outage from 7:00 p.m. to about 9:00 p.m. Eastern time. The outage affected Multi-Modal Manifest, Air/Ocean/Rail EDI, Truck Manifest Mod, Mod ACE Portal Access, Cargo Release, and Entry Summary. CBP scheduled the work to address performance issues.
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This was a one-time maintenance window that has already passed. It did not change any filing rules and does not affect entries we file now. Clients do not need to take any action regarding this notice.
ACE System Maintenance Completed in July 2026
CBP announced that an unplanned ACE system outage was resolved and normal processing resumed at 8:30 p.m. This was a system status update with no policy or filing changes. It affected anyone using ACE at the time, including brokers and filers.
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This was a routine system restoration notice from July 2026 and did not change any filing requirements. It has no lasting effect on entries we file. Clients do not need to take any action regarding this notice.
CBP explained how importers reactivate a deactivated Importer of Record number
CBP announced it was deactivating Importer of Record (IOR) numbers in ACE that had not been used to file entry for a year or more and had no outstanding post-entry transactions. CBP described how to reactivate a deactivated IOR through an ABI broker Transaction Processing message or, if that fails, by emailing a revised CBP Form 5106 to a Center Entry Specialist Team. This affects importers whose IOR number CBP had deactivated for inactivity.
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This concerns how importers restore a deactivated IOR number so entries can be filed under it again. Nothing since this message has changed the process as CBP described it. If a client's IOR number is inactive in ACE, we can submit the required Transaction Processing message or Form 5106 on their behalf, but the client should first ask us to check the current status in ACE.
CBP added automation for ACE Portal account reactivation and applications
CBP announced new tools for the ACE Secure Data Portal. Automation now reactivates Trade Account Owner (TAO) accounts when the request comes from an email tied to that TAO account, and helps users locate their company's TAO. CBP also introduced new web forms for applying for or updating ACE Portal accounts, including importer accounts and sub-accounts.
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This message concerns how importers and other ACE Portal account holders manage their own accounts, not the entries we file. Clients who manage their own ACE Portal accounts can use these tools directly with CBP. We do not need any action from clients on this notice, but they can contact us if they want help identifying the right ACE Portal process for their account.
CBP held a webinar in June 2026 on setting up ACE Portal accounts
CBP's Office of Trade announced a free webinar for June 17, 2026 on how to set up and manage an ACE Portal account, covering new webforms and Trade Account Owner functionality. The webinar targeted trade users needing help with ACE Portal setup and addressed common questions. CBP said recordings of past webinars remain available for replay on its website.
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This was a routine CBP outreach webinar about ACE Portal account setup and is not a policy or filing change. It does not affect the entries we file for clients. Clients do not need to act, though anyone who missed it can check CBP's website for a recorded replay.
ACE Had a Brief Scheduled Outage in May 2026
CBP announced that the ACE EDI System would be down for a 30 minute window on May 26, 2026 to address performance issues. The outage affected all modes of manifest processing, including truck, in-bond, and entry summary filings. The notice was limited to that specific maintenance window.
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This was a short, one time maintenance window for ACE that has already passed. It does not affect any entries we file today. Clients do not need to take any action regarding this notice.
CBP Detailed ACE Reports for Tracking IEEPA CAPE Refund Claims
CBP announced that after the April 20, 2026 CAPE tool launch in the ACE Portal, importers could use several ACE Reports products to monitor IEEPA refund claims. These included ES-022, REV-603, REV-613 and REV-615, which track refund status, ACH issuance, diverted funds and rejected ACH refunds. CBP said Treasury would begin issuing IEEPA refund ACH payments as early as May 12, 2026.
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This message explained tools for tracking IEEPA refund claims filed through CAPE, which CBP still uses for IEEPA refunds. We can run these ACE Reports to check the status of refund claims tied to entries we filed and to confirm whether Treasury issued, diverted or rejected a refund. Clients do not need to take action from this message alone, but should tell us if they have not received an expected refund so we can review the report data with them.
CBP resolved earlier ACE Truck Manifest access issue
CBP announced that an earlier outage affecting ACE Portal Truck Manifest and References Tab applications, including ACE Reports, was resolved. CBP advised users to clear their browser cache and try again. This message is from May 1, 2026 and is now over 30 days old.
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This notice only confirmed a past ACE system outage was fixed and does not affect current entries. Clients do not need to take any action on this. If clients are experiencing ongoing ACE access issues today, they should contact us so we can check current system status.
ACE truck manifest and references tab were briefly unavailable in April 2026
CBP announced that the ACE Truck Manifest and References Tab applications, including ACE Reports, were unavailable in the ACE Mod Portal. CBP said EDI processing was not affected and all other ACE applications remained available. CBP said it would issue another message once the issue was resolved.
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This outage affected only certain ACE Mod Portal applications and did not affect EDI filings we submit for clients. CBP indicated a follow-up message would confirm when service was restored, and a later CSMS may have already done so. Clients do not need to take any action regarding this notice.
CBP resolved earlier ACE Truck Manifest and References Tab outage
CBP announced that the ACE Portal Truck Manifest and References Tab applications, along with ACE Reports in the ACE Mod Portal, were unavailable and have since been restored. CBP advised users to clear their browser cache to regain access. The notice affected users of these specific ACE Mod Portal applications.
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This was a temporary ACE Mod Portal access issue that CBP resolved shortly after it arose. It did not change any filing rules or entry requirements, and later CSMS messages have not referenced it further. Clients do not need to take any action regarding this notice.
CBP adds error code blocking PSCs on entries with pending CAPE refunds
CBP announced an updated ACE Entry Summary Error Dictionary. It added error code 864, which blocks a post-summary correction on any entry where a CAPE declaration has already been filed for an IEEPA refund. CBP published this alongside the April 20, 2026 launch of the CAPE tool in the ACE Portal.
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This confirms what CBP had already told filers: once we submit a CAPE declaration for an IEEPA refund, we cannot also file a post-summary correction on that entry. We continue to use CAPE declarations, not PSCs, for IEEPA duty refund requests. Clients do not need to take any action on this notice, but should contact us if they want us to review whether an entry needs a CAPE declaration.
CBP Added ACE Error Code Blocking PSC When a CAPE Refund Is Pending
CBP announced an updated ACE Entry Summary Error Dictionary that added a new validation error, condition code 864, which blocks a post-summary correction on an entry once a CAPE refund declaration has been filed for it. CBP tied this update to the April 20, 2026 launch of the CAPE tool in the ACE Portal. The change affects filers submitting entry summary corrections.
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We follow this rule when we amend entries for clients that have filed an IEEPA refund claim through CAPE. Once a CAPE declaration is submitted for an entry, CBP will reject any post-summary correction on that entry, so refunds must go through CAPE, not a PSC. This still applies today. Clients do not need to do anything, but should tell us if they want us to check the status of a specific entry.
CBP added automated ACE alerts for container seal changes on ocean and rail shipments
CBP announced an updated Trade Information Notice describing new ACE features for container seal changes on ocean and rail shipments. The update added disposition codes so ACE notifies carriers by EDI when CBP personnel add or remove container seals, and let ABI filers query D2/D3 notification records for a bill of lading. CBP deployed these features to the ACE production environment on April 9, 2026.
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This update concerns ACE system notifications for carriers and ABI filers, not entry filing requirements. We use these ACE features when reviewing bill of lading records for shipments we handle, but clients do not need to take any action. Clients with questions about a specific shipment's seal status should ask us to check the ACE record.
CBP launched new web-based ACE Portal account application in April 2026
CBP announced on April 1, 2026 that it released a modernized ACE Secure Data Portal account application for companies without existing ACE Portal access. The new web forms covered new importer, exporter, protest filer and other sub-account applications, plus updates to Account Owner information. CBP said it would temporarily continue accepting the older PDF-based application during the rollout period.
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This message concerned how companies apply for ACE Portal accounts, not how we file entries, so clients did not need to act on it. Later CSMS messages may have changed the application process or web links described here. Clients setting up a new ACE Portal account should ask Allied to confirm the current application procedure before applying.
CBP reported temporary ACE air manifest system outage in March 2026
CBP announced degradation in ACE air manifest processing on March 24, 2026. It said ACE MMM/TMM and EDI processing would be unavailable for about 45 minutes while it restarted services. CBP said it would send a follow-up message once the issue was resolved.
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This was a short, one-time system outage from March 2026 and does not affect current filings. Clients do not need to act on this notice. If a client has questions about entries filed during that window, they should ask us to review the specific entry.
CBP resolved earlier ACE Air Manifest processing slowdown
CBP announced that a processing degradation issue affecting ACE Air Manifest had been resolved and that ACE was operating normally again. The message did not describe the cause or duration of the issue. It applied to air cargo manifest filings processed through ACE.
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This was a routine system status update from March 2026 about a temporary ACE Air Manifest slowdown that CBP said was fixed. It did not change any filing requirements, so it has no ongoing effect on entries we file today. Clients do not need to take any action regarding this notice.
CBP added ATA Carnet data fields to ACE truck manifest filings in March 2026
CBP announced that on March 24, 2026 it enhanced the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) to let trade users include ATA Carnet information in electronic truck manifest filings. The update involved electronic data interchange (EDI) changes. CBP referred filers to an attached information notice for details.
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This was a system enhancement for truck manifest filers and did not require action from importers or shippers. It concerned how carrier and broker EDI systems transmit carnet data to CBP, not the goods or duties on an entry. Clients do not need to act on this notice; if a specific truck shipment involving an ATA Carnet needs review, ask Allied about that entry.
CBP added carnet number fields to truck import manifests in ACE
CBP announced it updated ACE truck manifest systems to let filers submit a Carnet number and expiration date. The update added new codes for Carnet in the ANSI X12 and EDIFACT truck manifest formats, plus two new error codes for missing or invalid carnet data. CBP said it planned to deploy the changes to production on March 24, 2026. The change affects software developers and trade filers who submit truck manifests by EDI.
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This was a technical update to CBP's manifest system for truck carriers and their EDI software providers, not a change to entry or duty rules. Since the deployment date has passed, we expect these carnet fields and error codes are now active in production for truck manifest filings. Clients do not need to take any action on this notice; if a shipment involves a carnet, clients should ask us to confirm how it was reported.
CBP fixed a time-out error in ACE Reports
CBP announced that it deployed an update on January 29, 2026 to fix a rise in 524 time-out errors that some users saw when running ACE Reports. CBP said the issue was limited to running reports and did not affect trade operations. Users who still see time-out or other errors can contact the ACE Help Desk or the ACE Reports team.
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This issue affected only the ACE Reports tool, not entry filing or cargo release, so it did not change how we processed client entries. No client action was needed then, and none is needed now. Clients with current ACE Reports issues should contact the CBP ACE Help Desk directly.
CBP made ACH electronic refunds mandatory starting February 6, 2026
CBP announced that starting February 6, 2026, it would issue all refunds electronically through ACH, with limited exceptions, under an interim final rule published January 2, 2026. CBP said it had upgraded the ACE Portal with an automated ACH Refund Authorization tool and an automated importer account application to support the transition. CBP also held user readiness support calls in January and February 2026 to help importers and other parties prepare for the change.
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This message affected how CBP paid out refunds on entries we file, moving from other payment methods to ACH deposits for importers and other refund recipients. We advised clients at the time to confirm their ACE Portal ACH enrollment so refunds would not be delayed. Later CSMS messages may have updated this process, so clients should ask us to confirm the current refund enrollment status for their entries.
The summaries and positions are general information, not legal advice. Always check the official CBP message, which each page links to.
Does a change affect your entries?
Call (908) 291-8001 or email info@alliedchb.com