In CSMS # 67270895, published January 2, 2026, CBP announced that beginning February 6, 2026 all refunds (with very limited exceptions) will be disbursed via ACH (Automated Clearing House) in accordance with the Electronic Refunds Interim Final Rule published January 2, 2026 in the Federal Register (FR Document 2025-24171).

Importers and other parties expecting CBP issued refunds after February 5, 2026 are advised to review CBP’s Electnmnronic Refund Enrollment Reference Sheet and take any necessary action to prepare for this mandatory change.

CBP has also recently made changes to improve the ACH refund sign-up process by:

• Adding an automated ACH Refund Authorization tool in the ACE Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal) and
• Automating the ACE Portal’s importer account application, which is necessary to access the new ACH Refund Authorization tool.

For further information about this and other customs matters, contact George Tuttle III at geo@tuttlelaw.com or 415-986-8780.

The information in this article is general in nature and is not intended to constitute legal advice or to create an attorney-client relationship with respect to any event or occurrence and may not be considered as such.

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