TRADE ALERT – IMPORTS
HEADLINE	New Application Options for CBP ACE Portal Accounts
DATE	April 2, 2026
AGENCY	U.S. Customs and Border Protection
EFFECTIVE DATE	April 1, 2026
BACKGROUND	Typically, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) has required PDF applications from importers to create or modify their importer ACE accounts. CBP is now allowing many of these functions to be performed through an internet interface.  This should facilitate that ACE application process.
DETAILS	ACE, or CBP’s “Automated Commercial Environment,” is the system of record for all of your customs entries.  Additionally, importers will likely need to use their ACE Portal Account to apply for any refund of the IEEPA tariffs once CBP has finished development of “CAPE” or otherwise.  As emphasized in previous Alerts, we highly recommend that importers establish ACE accounts and ACH refund capabilities, as CBP will only issue refunds electronically via ACH. Having access to your ACE account will be a critical step once CBP finalizes the “CAPE” refund system for IEEPA tariffs. Hopefully these new ACE functions will facilitate quicker turnaround time for CBP updating or creating importer accounts.   The process for applying for and managing ACE Portal accounts can be cumbersome.  CBP has issued new processing features and capabilities for applying for, managing, and revising ACE Portal accounts.       Action Items for Importers with IEEPA Tariff Exposure:   1. Establish importer ACE account and ACH refund payment capabilities with CBP, utilizing the new web-based-based application. 2. Monitor entries for liquidation and protest deadlines. 3. Consider filing protests with CBP before each entry’s protest deadline (180 days after liquidation). 4. Consider filing an action at the CIT.
BASIS	N/A
CITE	CBP CSMS # 68228015 (April 1, 2026): New ACE Portal Account Application Now Available

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