Trade News
What changed at U.S. Customs?
Every message from the CBP Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS), with a plain-English summary and Allied CHB's position. We add new messages every hour.
Get the CBP messages of the week by email
One email each week with the new CSMS messages, a plain-English summary and our position. Unsubscribe at any time.
- Source
- CBP CSMS
- Updated
- Every hour
- Latest message
- April 20, 2026
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.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
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 activated CAPE tool for consolidated IEEPA duty refunds
CBP announced that it activated the first phase of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool in the ACE Portal. Importers and authorized customs brokers could file CAPE Declarations to consolidate refunds of IEEPA duties, including interest, instead of processing them entry by entry. CBP said CAPE Phase 1 covered only certain unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation. CBP also announced two trade support webinars on CAPE filing, held on April 21 and April 28, 2026.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
CBP now processes IEEPA duty refunds through CAPE Declarations filed in the ACE Portal, and it does not accept a post-summary correction as an IEEPA refund request. We file CAPE Declarations for the entries we handle where a client qualifies for an IEEPA refund. Clients who believe they have entries eligible for an IEEPA refund should ask us to review those entries and confirm eligibility under CAPE Phase 1 limits.
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.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
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.
- Policy GuidanceCSMS #68370692
CBP updated guidance and product list for Department of War Jones Act waiver
CBP updated its guidance on the March 17, 2026 Jones Act waiver issued to the Department of War, adding a revised list of potentially covered products as of April 16, 2026. CBP clarified that covered products had to be loaded onboard the relevant vessel before the waiver deadline expired at 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The waiver let foreign-flag vessels move certain domestic cargo, and carriers using it had to notify CBP with vessel, commodity, and voyage details and still file vessel entrance and clearance documents.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This notice applied to ocean carriers moving Department of War cargo under a temporary Jones Act waiver that expired on May 17, 2026. It did not change how we file entries, ISF, or bonds for importers, since it addressed vessel entrance rules and carrier reporting, not customs entry requirements. Because the waiver period has ended, no current action is needed. Clients with questions about specific past shipments moved under this waiver should contact Allied to review their entries.
CBP held ACE maintenance window in April 2026, now past
CBP announced ACE production standard invasive maintenance from 10:00 p.m. ET Saturday, April 18, 2026, to 4:00 a.m. ET Sunday, April 19, 2026. This was a scheduled system outage affecting ACE availability during that window. The message did not describe any other impact.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This was a routine, time-limited maintenance window that has already passed. It did not require any action from clients then and has no bearing on entries filed now.
- General NoticeCSMS #68358699
NOAA Lifted Panama Tuna Embargo, Renewed Findings for Six Other Countries
CBP announced that NOAA Fisheries issued an affirmative finding for Panama, lifting the 2000 embargo on yellowfin tuna and tuna products caught by purse seine vessels in the eastern tropical Pacific. The finding covered April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2031. NOAA Fisheries also renewed one year affirmative findings for Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Spain, covering April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This lifted the import ban on Panamanian yellowfin tuna and tuna products harvested by purse seine vessels, and confirmed continued eligibility for the other listed countries. We apply these findings to entries of yellowfin tuna and tuna products from these countries that we file. Clients importing tuna from Panama or the renewed countries should ask us to confirm their entries reflect the correct country status and validity period, since the one year findings for the other six countries expire March 31, 2027.
CBP corrected AES vehicle export HTS codes requiring reporting
CBP announced a correction to CSMS 68273771, updating the AESTIR Appendix U list to add three HTS codes for used vehicles: 8705.90.0010, 8705.90.0020, and 8705.90.0080. These classifications now require reporting through the Automated Export System when used vehicles under those codes are exported. The correction was published April 15, 2026.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This notice concerns export reporting under the Automated Export System, not the import entries we file for clients. It sets which HTS codes for used vehicles must be reported in AES filings. Clients who export used vehicles under these classifications should confirm compliance with their AES filer, and later CSMS messages may have changed this list, so ask us to check current requirements for specific shipments.
CBP reminded PMS Test filers to pay supplemental duty bills electronically
CBP reminded participants in the Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) Test that supplemental duty bills tied to entries originally paid on a monthly statement must be paid electronically. The requirement took effect December 15, 2025, and payment must be made via ACH Debit through the Pay.gov Bill Payment Form or via ACH Credit. Bills mailed by CBP since March 1, 2026 include the specific Pay.gov payment instructions. CBP said bills paid by other means may lead to suspension from monthly statement privileges.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This message affects importers who participate in the PMS Test program and pay duties on a monthly statement. Nothing in later CBP messages we have seen changes this requirement, so it should still apply to supplemental duty bills from PMS Test entries. Clients enrolled in the PMS Test should confirm they pay supplemental bills electronically through Pay.gov or ACH Credit, and should ask us if they have questions about a specific bill.
CBP held ACE maintenance window on April 15, 2026 (historical)
CBP announced an ACE certification standard invasive maintenance window on April 15, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. The message did not describe expected system impacts. This notice is now more than 30 days old.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This was a routine, time-limited maintenance window in CBP's ACE test environment and had no lasting effect on entries we file. Clients did not need to take any action then and do not need to act now. If clients have questions about how this affected a specific filing at the time, they should contact us.
CBP Deployed CAPE Tool to Process IEEPA Duty Refunds Starting April 20, 2026
CBP announced that it built the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) functionality in ACE to process IEEPA duty refunds in bulk rather than entry by entry. The message explained that importers or their brokers could file a CAPE Declaration listing up to 9,999 entry numbers, that CBP would validate and mass-process those entries, and that refunds with interest would generally issue within 60 to 90 days of acceptance. It also stated that CBP would not accept a post-summary correction as an IEEPA refund request and that refunds require ACH enrollment.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This CAPE process is the same one CBP still uses for IEEPA duty refunds today. We file CAPE Declarations in the ACE Portal for the entries we filed as broker, or clients as importer of record may file their own. Clients whose entries carried IEEPA duties should confirm with us that a CAPE Declaration has been or will be submitted, and should make sure they are enrolled for ACH refunds. Clients do not need to file a post-summary correction to request an IEEPA refund.
CBP now sends automated alerts on container seal changes in ACE
CBP reminded trade that it deployed an ACE update on April 9, 2026, that automatically notifies carriers by EDI when CBP adds or removes container seals on ocean and rail shipments. ABI filers can query D2/D3 notifications for a bill of lading to see new container and seal numbers. This affects ocean and rail carriers and ABI filers.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This update concerns carriers and ABI filers who track container seal notifications in ACE. It does not change how we file entries for clients, and clients do not need to take any action. If clients want us to check seal change records for a specific shipment, they can ask us.
CBP announced CAPE tool launch for IEEPA duty refund claims
CBP announced that on April 20, 2026 it would launch the first phase of CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) in the ACE Portal. CAPE lets importers of record and authorized brokers file CAPE Declarations to request consolidated IEEPA duty refunds with interest, instead of entry-by-entry processing. Phase 1 covers certain unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation. CBP said it would issue further CSMS messages as it adds functionality.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This announcement set up the CAPE process that CBP now uses for IEEPA refunds. We file CAPE Declarations in the ACE Portal for clients seeking IEEPA duty refunds on eligible entries, and this remains the current CBP process. Clients who believe they have IEEPA duties to recover should confirm they have an ACE Portal account with refund bank information on file and ask us to review their entries for eligibility.
CBP held ACE maintenance window in April 2026, now past
CBP announced an ACE Production Standard invasive maintenance window from 10:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 11, 2026, to 4:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, April 12, 2026. This is a routine system maintenance notice with no other details provided. The window has already passed as of today.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This was a routine ACE maintenance notice and the window has already passed. It did not require any action from importers or shippers at the time, and it has no bearing on entries filed now. Clients do not need to act on this message.
- PGA UpdateCSMS #68290359
CBP published CPSC Message Implementation Guide for ACE filing, production set for July 8
CBP announced on April 8, 2026 that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Message Implementation Guide was available on CBP.gov. The guide appeared in the Draft Chapters: Future Capabilities section of the ACE ABI CATAIR. CBP scheduled the CPSC Message Set for certification on April 15 and production on July 8. CBP directed questions to the CPSC eFiling Support team.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This message was a technical notice for software developers and filers who transmit data through ABI. It did not require importers to act. Later CSMS messages may have changed how CPSC data is filed, so clients who import consumer products should ask Allied to review their entries.
- System UpdateCSMS #68290408
CBP Issued Harmonized System Update for Section 232 Metals Duties and PGA Flags
CBP announced that Harmonized System Update (HSU) 2607, created April 5, 2026, added 116 tariff records and 519 ABI records. The update reflected Section 232 duties on aluminum, steel, and copper effective April 6, 2026, and included EPA and FDA changes to partner government agency HTS flags, including a flag change for one FDA HTS code.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This was a technical update to the tariff database that supported entries filed around April 2026, including Section 232 duty coding for aluminum, steel, and copper and updated PGA flags. Later CSMS messages may have changed Section 232 rates, scope, or PGA flag requirements since then. Clients with entries from that period involving these metals or the affected FDA HTS code should ask Allied to review their entries for current status.
- QuotaCSMS #68282178
CBP published 2026 Australia FTA agricultural quota bulletin
CBP announced Quota Bulletin 26-103 for the 2026 Australia Free Trade Agreement, covering agricultural products in Chapter 98 subheadings under Additional U.S. Notes 8 through 19. The quota period ran from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, with an opening date of January 2, 2026. Entries filed after 12:01 a.m. local port time but before 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on the opening date received an 8:30 a.m. entry time for quota purposes, with proration if any HTSUS group exceeded its limit at that time.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This bulletin set the quota opening rules for Australia FTA agricultural entries filed at the start of the 2026 quota period, which has since passed. If a client believes an entry filed on the opening date was affected by proration, we can review that specific entry. Later CBP quota bulletins may have updated the status of this quota, so clients with questions about a current entry should ask Allied to check.
CBP Added Three Used Vehicle HTS Codes to Export Manifest Appendix U List
CBP announced that the Electronic Export Manifest (EEM) Appendix U list was updated to include three HTS codes for used vehicles: 8705.90.0010, 8705.90.0020 and 8705.90.0080. The change affected reporting requirements for used vehicle exports under the EEM program. CBP directed technical questions to client representatives and policy questions to a CBP vehicle exports mailbox.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This notice concerned export manifest reporting for used vehicles, not the import entries we file for clients. It does not change any customs entry, classification or duty process we handle. Clients who export used vehicles under these HTS codes should confirm current EEM reporting requirements, since later CBP messages may have updated this list further.
CBP Issued Filing Guidance for Section 232 Duties on Steel, Aluminum, Copper
CBP announced guidance implementing the April 2, 2026 proclamation that imposed additional duties of 10 to 50 percent on steel, aluminum, and copper articles and derivatives from all countries, effective April 6, 2026. The message explained how to report goods under HTSUS headings 9903.82.02 through 9903.82.17, including exclusions for goods with less than 15 percent metal content and higher rates for Russia-origin metals. It also covered country of melt and pour or smelt and cast reporting, drawback availability, and foreign trade zone and Chapter 98/99 treatment.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
We apply these Section 232 additional duties to steel, aluminum, and copper entries that fall under HTSUS headings 9903.82.02 through 9903.82.17. Nothing in the background we track shows these duties were repealed, so this guidance still applies to entries we file today unless a later CSMS message changed it. Clients who import metal articles or derivatives should ask us to confirm the correct heading, metal content, and country of melt/pour or smelt/cast for their goods. Clients do not need to take independent action unless we request specific documents for a shipment.
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.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
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.
- EnforcementCSMS #68251354
DEA data flag in ACE now rejects entries, not just warns
CBP announced that the DEA Implementation Guide moved to the production-ready section of CBP.gov after the DEA message set went live in ACE on March 21, 2026. CBP said the new DE3 flag would first enforce with a WARNING severity, then move to a REJECT severity on May 4, 2026, a date changed from an earlier CSMS. This affects ACE entry filings that require DEA data elements.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This message is about a technical ACE data requirement for entries involving DEA-regulated commodities. Since May 4, 2026 passed, entries missing the required DEA DE3 data are now rejected in ACE rather than just flagged. We apply this requirement to entries we file that involve DEA-regulated goods. Clients who import such goods should confirm with us that their DEA data is complete to avoid entry rejections; other clients do not need to act.
- General NoticeCSMS #68235445
CBP Canceled April 2026 Commodity Classification Webinars
CBP announced it canceled its free NCSD webinars scheduled for April 7 and April 9, 2026, on steel bars and rods classification and on plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip. CBP cited a partial DHS funding lapse as the reason. CBP said both webinars would be rescheduled after the funding lapse ended.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This notice only concerned CBP's educational webinars and did not change any entry filing requirements. Clients did not need to take any action. We did not need to adjust any entries because of this cancellation.
- General NoticeCSMS #68237853
CBP updated ACE stow plan error handling for vessel arrivals and departures
CBP announced changes to Stow Plan processing in ACE that affect error conditions for vessel arrival and departure ports and dates. CBP made the changes available for trade testing in the certification environment starting May 14, 2026, and pushed them to the production environment on June 25, 2026. The message was for parties that file vessel stow plans in ACE.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This notice concerned technical changes to vessel stow plan filing in ACE, not entry filing or duty rates. It does not affect the entries we file for clients, and clients do not need to act. If a client operates a vessel and files stow plans directly, they should confirm with their service provider that the changes are working as expected.
CBP held ACE maintenance overnight April 4 to 5, 2026
CBP announced invasive maintenance to the ACE production standard system from 10:00 p.m. ET on April 4, 2026 to 4:00 a.m. ET on April 5, 2026. This was a scheduled overnight maintenance window. The message did not describe any specific system changes.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This was a routine overnight maintenance window that has already passed. It did not require any action from clients at the time and has no ongoing effect on entries we file today. Clients do not need to do anything about this notice now.
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.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
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 enhanced ACE truck manifests to capture ATA Carnet data starting 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. CBP held a support call on March 31, 2026 to answer trade questions about the change. The message was aimed at carriers and other filers submitting truck manifests through ACE.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This update affects truck manifest filings, not the formal, informal, mail or e-commerce entries we file for clients. We have no indication that later CSMS messages changed this ACE feature. Clients who move goods under ATA Carnets by truck and have questions about how this affects their shipments should ask us to review their specific movements.
CBP held ACE test system maintenance window on April 1, 2026
CBP announced an ACE certification standard invasive maintenance window for April 1, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. This affected the ACE certification (test) environment. The message did not describe any effect on production filing.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This was a routine maintenance window for CBP's ACE certification test environment, not the production system Allied uses to file entries. It has already passed and required no action from clients then or now. Clients do not need to do anything.
CBP added Hamburg port code to export manifest Schedule K reference list
CBP announced an update to the Electronic Export Manifest Appendix O, Schedule K Implementation Guide. The update added Port of Unlading Code 42876 for Hamburg. The message directed technical questions to CBP client representatives and policy questions to a CBP mailbox.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This update concerns the codes carriers and filers use when reporting export manifest data, not the import entries Allied files. It does not require any action from our import clients. Exporters or carriers using this port code in export manifest filings should confirm with their manifest service provider that the update is reflected in their system.
- Policy GuidanceCSMS #68180454
CBP clarified Jones Act waiver deadline for Department of War cargo shipments
CBP updated its guidance on the March 17, 2026 Jones Act waiver issued to the Department of War, adding an updated list of potentially covered products as of March 27, 2026. CBP clarified that covered products had to be loaded onto the relevant vessel before the waiver deadline of 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The waiver let foreign-flag vessels carry certain domestic cargo for the Department of War for a 60-day period, subject to notification, vessel entry, and CBP Form 1302 reporting requirements described in the message.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This message covered a Jones Act waiver for Department of War cargo that expired May 17, 2026, so it no longer applies to shipments moving today. We are noting it here for reference only, as it explains a past exception to normal vessel entry rules for covered cargo moved before that deadline. Clients who moved cargo under this waiver and have questions about how a specific entry was filed should contact us directly.
CBP updated technical guides for truck export manifest EDI messages
CBP updated the Electronic Export Manifest Implementation Guides for the ACE Exports Truck UNEDIFACT CUSCAR, CUSRES, CUSREP, X12 309, and PAXLST messages. The changes added codes for Post Departure Filing and Automated Export System downtime, removed confirmation of manifest and trip reporting language, and changed wording from Final Transmission to Complete Transmission. CBP directed technical questions to client representatives and policy questions to its export manifest mailbox.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
This message set technical data formatting rules for carriers and software providers that transmit truck export manifests through ACE. It does not change import entry filing, duty rates, or documentation Allied handles for clients. Clients do not need to act, but if a client also files export manifests directly, they should confirm with their software provider that these guide updates were applied.
CBP Reminded Importers to Set Up ACH Refunds in the ACE Portal
CBP announced that since February 6, 2026, refunds are issued electronically only, following an interim rule and a related executive order. CBP reported that more than 12,300 certified refunds had been rejected because recipients had not provided valid U.S. bank account information in the ACE Portal. The message reminded importers and other refund recipients with entry summaries liquidated since that date to enroll their banking information using CBP's ACH enrollment guides and training materials.
Show Allied's positionHide Allied's position
At the time, this meant importers who had not added bank details to the ACE Portal risked having their refunds rejected. This requirement appears to still apply, since CBP later moved to electronic refunds through ACE for other programs as well. We recommend clients confirm their ACH banking information is current in the ACE Portal and contact us if they are unsure whether a refund on their entries was affected.
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