By: Brian Walczyk, Compliance Manager, TradeInsights, LCB, CCS

REMINDER: February 6, 2026, is the deadline when US CBP will cease issuing paper check refunds, unless a waiver has been properly applied for (31 CFR 208.4).

Importers who qualify for a waiver must submit a written request to CBP’s Revenue Division in writing at frn-achrefundsupport@cbp.dhs.gov.

Instructions on how to set up ACH Refunds inside your ACE account can be found here.

US CBP is hosting a series of “user readiness support calls” for the new Electronic Refund Process, as notified in CSMS # 67305746. The calls will be hosted via Microsoft Teams with links available in the CSMS message.

• Wednesday, January 28, 2026 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
• Wednesday, February 11, 2026 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

The CSMS also provided an Electronic Refund Enrollment Reference Sheet for the trade community at large.

DETAILS: Effective February 6, 2026, CBP will transition to electronic refunds instead of offering refunds by check. Federal Register Notice 91 FR 21 was issued on January 2, 2026, that details the interim final rule. The rule applies to all importers, brokers, filers, sureties, service providers, facility operators, foreign-trade zone operators and carriers, and any designated third parties listed on the CBP Form 4811.

As this is an interim final rule CBP will be taking comments on the rule through March 3, 2026, as identified in docket USCBP-2025-1076. Following February 6, CBP will not issue any refunds by check unless a waiver has been approved.

This follows President Trump’s earlier executive order, from March, requiring that the federal government transition from paper checks to electronic payments for all federal disbursements.

We will continue to monitor this situation and issue updates as needed. Please contact your V. Alexander account team, or you may also contact our Trade Compliance team at tradeinsights@valexander.com with any questions, and you can always follow us on our website www.valexander.com for updates on this and other topics.