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CBP Modernizes Electronic Refund Enrollment Process
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CBP is requiring Importers to set up their ACE Portal, as all CBP refunds will be processed electronically via ACH beginning February 6, 2026. The transition away from paper checks applies to all importers, brokers, filers, sureties, service providers, facility operators, foreign-trade zone operators and carriers, and any designated third parties listed on CBP Form 4811. After February 6, CBP will issue paper refunds only to parties that have received an approved waiver, which CBP expects to grant on a limited, case-by-case basis.
Please review CBP enrollment process. CSMS # 67305746 has the dates of CBP user refines support call, see below.
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CSMS # 67305746 – ICYMI: Electronic Refunds Interim Final Rule Effective February 6, 2026 – ACE Support Call Schedule Now Available
Beginning February 6, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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 in the Federal Register (FR Document 2025-24171).
In preparation for this change, CBP recently improved the ACH refund sign-up process by:
- Adding an automated ACH Refund Authorization tool in the Automated Commercial Environment Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal)
- Automating the ACE Portal’s importer account application, which is necessary to access the new ACH Refund Authorization tool
For importers and other parties who may receive CBP-issued refunds after February 5, 2026, review CBP’s Electronic Refund Enrollment Reference Sheet and take any necessary steps to ensure readiness for this mandatory transition.
In addition, to help the trade community prepare for the mandatory transition, CBP will hold user readiness support calls on the following dates and times:
- Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Join via Microsoft Teams
- Wednesday, January 28, 2026
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Join via Microsoft Teams
- Wednesday, February 11, 2026
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Join via Microsoft Teams
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