Importers across the United States are asking the same question right now. If tariff refunds are issued, will our company actually receive them without delays?
Recent guidance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection has revealed a gap that many importers are unaware of. A large number of companies that have paid duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are not currently configured to receive refunds electronically through the Automated Clearing House system. Without this configuration in place, tariff refunds could be delayed or processed inefficiently.
The scale of the issue is significant. More than 330,000 importers have paid duties under IEEPA, yet fewer than 22,000 are currently enrolled to receive ACH refunds electronically through the ACE Portal. This means that the majority of U.S. importers may not yet be positioned to receive electronic duty refunds if they become available.
For most companies, this is not a compliance problem or a customs filing error. It is simply a configuration step within the customs system that many businesses have never needed to complete before. The way import duties are paid to Customs is separate from the way refunds are returned to the importer. If ACH refunds are not enabled through the ACE Portal, the refund process can slow down significantly.
At PortVelocity, we work closely with importers to ensure their customs infrastructure is configured correctly so they can move quickly when regulatory changes occur. Preparing in advance helps importers avoid unnecessary delays and maintain control over their cash flow.
There are two key steps every importer should take to ensure they are properly set up to receive electronic duty refunds.
Step 1: Confirm Your Importer Record with Customs
The first step is confirming that your importer record with Customs is accurate and up to date. Every importer in the United States has a CBP Form 5106 on file, which contains identifying information used by Customs systems. One of the most important elements in this record is the company contact email. This email address becomes the identifier used when creating an ACE Portal account.
If your company does not currently have an ACE Portal account, your customs broker may need to update your Form 5106 so the correct email address is on file before the account can be created. Importers should also request the ACE Importer Bond Query from their broker to confirm that the key data fields match across all records. This includes the company name, the importer of record number including suffix, and the contact email address associated with the account. Ensuring these details are aligned will prevent errors when establishing portal access.
Step 2: Create Your ACE Portal Account and Enroll in ACH Refunds
The second step is creating an account in the ACE Portal and enrolling in ACH refunds. The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Portal is the primary system used by Customs for managing importer accounts, filings, and financial transactions. Once your company has access to the portal, you can add your ACH refund banking information directly into the system. This allows Customs to deposit eligible refunds directly into your company bank account instead of relying on slower manual processing methods.
Importers can review the official instructions published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for setting up an ACE Portal account and enabling ACH refunds. These steps are straightforward, but accuracy is important during the process.
Common Issues to Be Aware Of
There are several common issues that importers should be aware of. If you do not receive the ACE confirmation email when attempting to create an account, the most common cause is that the email listed on your Form 5106 does not match the one used during registration. Importers must also enter their importer of record number exactly as it appears in the bond query provided by their customs broker, including any suffix attached to the number. If technical issues occur within the ACE Portal itself, those issues must be resolved directly through CBP technical support since customs brokers do not have the ability to correct system errors inside the portal.
For Existing Customers
For existing customers of PortVelocity, our team will assist in confirming that your records are aligned with Customs requirements and guide you through any remaining configuration steps if adjustments are needed. Our role is to help importers navigate complex customs systems and ensure their operations remain prepared as tariff policies and trade regulations evolve.
For Importers Not Currently Working With Us
For importers who are not currently working with PortVelocity, the process can begin by submitting your company information through our website. Once your information is received, you will be provided with a secure document upload link so the necessary customs records can be reviewed. Our team will then walk you through the setup process step by step to ensure your importer profile, ACE Portal access, and ACH refund enrollment are configured correctly.
The most important step importers can take today is preparation. As tariff policy continues to evolve, companies that have already configured their customs accounts will be positioned to receive duty refunds quickly and efficiently.
If your company imports goods into the United States and wants to ensure your customs infrastructure is properly set up for potential duty refunds, the team at PortVelocity is available to help guide you through the process.