What Importers Must Do Before February 6 to Receive Electronic Refunds
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an interim final rule (Federal Register :: Electronic Refunds) that transitions all trade refunds (duties, taxes, fees, and interest) to electronic payment via ACH, replacing paper checks except in limited waiver cases. The rule takes effect February 6, 2026, with a public comment window open through March 3, 2026.
What’s changing:
Refunds will be deposited electronically into a designated U.S. bank account—typically the importer’s—within 1–2 business days after CBP issues the refund.
- Paper checks will **no longer be used** unless the recipient qualifies for a waiver under Treasury regulations (31 CFR 208.4).
- If banking details are missing when CBP certifies a refund, the payment will be rejected, and no interest will accrue for the period the refund could not be delivered.
CBP has issued an interim final rule that transitions all trade refunds (duties, taxes, fees, and interest) to electronic payment via ACH, replacing paper checks except in limited waiver cases. The rule takes effect February 6, 2026, with a public comment window open through March 3, 2026.
What you need to do (before Feb 6, 2026)
- Confirm ACH Refund enrollment in ACE
- Log into your ACE Secure Data Portal and open the ACH Refund Authorization tab.
- Provide/verify your US bank account information.
- If you already receive ACH refunds in ACE, no further action is needed.
- If you use a Designated Agent (CBP Form 4811)
- Ensure your agent is listed in ACE and that they have completed ACH Refund enrollment in their ACE account.
- If the designated agent is not enrolled, CBP will default the refund to your ACH account.
- Non-resident (aka foreign importers)
- Either open a US bank account for ACH receipt or designate a U.S.-banked agent via CBP Form 4811 and the Notify Parties tab in ACE.
- Know that ACH Refund is separate from ACH Duty Payment
- If you pay duties via ACH, you still need to enroll separately for ACH Refund in ACE.
Benefits to Importers:
- Faster refund receipt (ACH is typically 1–2 business days).
- Safer and more reliable than checks (significantly lowers loss/theft risk).
- Fewer post‑payment issues, with better visibility in ACE.
Questions or waiver requests:
- For rare waiver circumstances (paper check requests), CBP asks importers to contact the Revenue Division in writing at: frn-achrefundsupport@cbp.dhs.gov.
How Alba Wheels Up can help:
Our team can assist with:
- Creating or validating your ACE Portal account.
- Completing the ACH Refund Authorization setup.
- Reviewing your Form 4811/Notify Party designations to ensure refunds route correctly.
We recommend completing your ACH Refund setup as soon as possible to prevent any refund delays after February 6, 2026. If you need guidance, please contact us.
