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

Today, April 10, US CBP issued CSMS #68315804 detailing their launch plans for CAPE – the tool inside of ACE that will be utilized by Importers and Brokers to request IEEPA refunds.

CAPE is set to launch Phase 1 on April 20. The information notice can be found here. CBP notes that the trade community is prohibited from initiating an IEEPA duty refund request by a PSC.

The ACE quick reference guide can be found here. The CAPE claim will only need the full entry number (filer code + entry number with check-digit).

A CAPE claim can be submitted in ACE by the Importer of Record or the filer of the entry. This limits Brokers to assisting the Importer of Record with filing claims only on entries they filed directly.

Phase 1 claims will allow:

• Unliquidated entries, so long as they are not in the “future developments” category.
• Liquidated entries not 80-days past the liquidation date.
• Entries with a liquidation status of suspended, extended, or under review.
• Warehouse and warehouse withdrawal entries.

CAPE Future Developments:

• Entries flagged for Recon.
• Entries on a drawback claim.
• Entries covered by an open protest.
• Entries not filed in ACE, and entries without a liquidation status in ACE.
• Entries subject to AD/CVD, for which the DOC has issued liquidation instructions.
• Entries for which liquidation is final.

Importers will still need to verify they are set-up for refunds through ACE – V. Alexander has created a IEEPA Refunds and How to Prepare document to help the trade community navigate the necessary steps for refund preparedness.

We will continue to monitor and provide updates on this situation. 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.