Question 1

What does this tariff refund calculator do?

Accepted Answer

It reviews a customs-entry CSV, estimates likely refundable IEEPA duty exposure, and shows detected fields, importer rollups, missing evidence, and readiness gaps.

Question 2

What file should I upload first for a tariff refund estimate?

Accepted Answer

Use a broker export or ACE report with entry number, entry date, importer name, and isolated IEEPA duty amounts. Add liquidation, status, and warehouse detail when available.

Question 3

Why do liquidation and status fields matter?

Accepted Answer

They help separate entries that look closer to claim-prep readiness from entries that still need broker follow-up.

Question 4

What does CAPE readiness mean here?

Accepted Answer

It means the file has the operational fields needed to prepare for a CAPE handoff: clean entry numbers, IEEPA Chapter 99 signals, liquidation status, protest or drawback flags, duplicate checks, and clear importer or broker routing. This site does not submit CAPE Declarations.

Question 5

What documents should I gather?

Accepted Answer

Start with the ACE or broker export. For review, keep the entry summary, commercial invoice, bill of lading, source report, payee or 4811 documentation, and any broker notes tied to each entry.

Question 6

Do I need ACE and ACH ready before refunds?

Accepted Answer

CBP guidance says IORs and authorized brokers use ACE for CAPE Declarations, and refunds are issued electronically through ACH. Treat ACE access and ACH refund enrollment as readiness items to confirm with your broker or counsel.

Question 7

Does my customs file leave the browser?

Accepted Answer

The free estimator runs in the browser. Your CSV leaves the device only if you create a paid workflow session.

Question 8

Is this filing anything with CBP?

Accepted Answer

No. This tool is for estimate, readiness, and preparation work only. It is not legal advice, it is not a law firm, and it is not acting as a customs broker.

Question 9

Can this replace a broker or trade attorney review?

Accepted Answer

No. It is a first-pass estimator for data quality, likely exposure, and readiness before formal review.

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