Importers advised to pause filings as ACE data discrepancies impact CBMA claims accuracy
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is advising importers to delay submission of Q1 2026 Craft Beverage Modernization Act (CBMA) importer refund claims following the discovery of data discrepancies within the myTTB CBMA Importer Claims System.
The issue stems from a transmission error affecting data pulled from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), resulting in inflated quantity figures for certain imported entries.
ACE Data Discrepancy Affecting Q1 CBMA Claims
The myTTB CBMA Importer Claims System relies on ACE data to allow importers to identify eligible entries and submit refund claims. However, for a significant portion of entries filed between January 2026 and mid-February 2026, transmitted data incorrectly reflects higher-than-actual import quantities.
This creates a critical risk:
Submitting claims based on inaccurate data may result in incorrect refund calculations, claim rejections, and downstream compliance issues.
Why Filing Now Could Create Compliance Issues
TTB has made it clear that importers should not proceed with filing claims tied to impacted entry summary lines until the issue is resolved.
Key risks of submitting claims now include:
- Claim rejection due to inaccurate data
- Misallocation of assignment quantities
- Complications affecting future CBMA claims
- Delays in processing and potential compliance exposure
Additionally, importers cannot bypass the issue using manual claim procedures, as the system still recognizes the affected data as available for standard filing.
Resolution Timeline
TTB, in coordination with CBP, is actively working to correct the data discrepancies.
The agency anticipates a resolution by the end of April 2026 and will notify importers once accurate data is restored in the system.
Recommended Next Steps
Importers should take a cautious and proactive approach:
- Pause submission of Q1 2026 CBMA claims tied to impacted entries
- Review ACE data carefully within the myTTB system
- Validate quantity data before filing any claims
- Monitor TTB updates for confirmation that the issue has been resolved
Once corrected, claims can be submitted through the standard process without additional risk.
Why This Matters
CBMA refunds can represent significant financial recovery for importers. Filing claims with incorrect data not only delays refunds but may also create long-term complications in allocation tracking and compliance reporting.
Taking a wait-and-verify approach now helps ensure accuracy, protects refund eligibility, and avoids unnecessary administrative burden.
How Alba Can Help
Navigating CBMA claims—especially during system disruptions—requires careful validation and process control.
Alba supports importers by:
- Reviewing entry data and identifying discrepancies
- Validating eligibility and claim accuracy
- Providing structured guidance on timing and submission strategy
- Helping mitigate compliance risk while protecting refund opportunities
If you have questions about your CBMA claims or need support reviewing your data, contact the Alba team to ensure your filings are accurate and optimized.
