Critical dates every importer needs to track. Protest deadlines are rolling — your window depends on when your entries were liquidated.
Every entry has its own 180-day protest window. Your deadline isn't today — it depends on when your specific shipment was liquidated.
Track every critical event in the refund process — from court rulings to portal launches to your protest deadlines.
| Date | Event | Status | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 2026 | Supreme Court rules IEEPA tariffs unconstitutional | ✓ Complete | None — this triggered the refund process |
| Feb 6, 2026 | CBP ACH refund program effective | ✓ Active | Register for ACH if you haven't already |
| Mar 4, 2026 | CIT orders CBP to stop collecting & refund IEEPA duties | ✓ Complete | Confirm your broker has stopped IEEPA payments |
| ~Apr 20, 2026 | CAPE portal expected launch within ACE | ⏳ Upcoming | Prepare your entry data in CSV format now |
| Jun 4, 2026 | First 180-day protest windows begin closing | ⚠️ Critical | Check your earliest entry liquidation dates |
| Rolling | 180-day protest deadlines (per entry) | 🔄 Ongoing | File protest within 180 days of each entry's liquidation |
| Rolling | Interest accruing on refunds (~$650M/month total) | 🔄 Ongoing | Earlier filing doesn't affect interest, but don't miss deadlines |
| TBD | CAPE system fully operational | ⏹️ Pending | Monitor CBP announcements |
Don't wait for the portal launch. Take these steps today to stay on track:
Verify you can log in and view your entry data. You'll need this information to calculate your personal deadlines and prepare for CAPE submission.
The CBP ACH program is live. Register now to receive your refunds electronically. This is required to receive your money when claims are approved.
Separate IEEPA duties from Section 301, 232, and AD/CVD. Your broker can help, but you need to know which entries qualify for refund.
Calculate your 180-day protest window for each entry. Document these dates — they're the key to knowing when your deadline arrives.
Format your entry data for CAPE submission. The portal will accept CSV files — have yours ready when it launches.
Walk through the full process using our guides on Timeline, Refund Process, CAPE Guide, and Workflow. Knowledge is power.
Our free guides walk you through every step. If you need hands-on help, our team is here — no pressure, no sales pitch. Just resources built for importers like you.