Basics

What are the types of duty drawback?

There are three main types: unused merchandise, manufacturing and rejected merchandise.

  • Filed by a licensed broker⁠†
  • Published fees, charged after CBP pays
  • Sealed on AMD SEV-SNP

Each comes in a direct-identification or substitution version, and destruction can take the place of export.

  • Unused merchandise (1313(j)). Imported goods exported or destroyed without being used in the U.S., within five years of import.

    A notice of intent is due at least 5 working days before each export, unless CBP has granted a waiver of prior notice.

  • Manufacturing (1313(a) and (b)). Imported inputs used to make products that are exported or destroyed.

    You need a manufacturing ruling, either a letter of notification or a specific ruling, and production records such as bills of materials.

  • Rejected merchandise (1313(c)). Goods that didn't match the sample or specifications, were defective when imported, were shipped without the buyer's consent, or were sold at retail and returned for any reason.
  • Destruction. Under any of the types above, destroying goods under CBP supervision can replace export. Notice is due at least 7 working days ahead.

Smaller niche types cover items such as petroleum, packaging and vessel supplies.

The agent drafts claims for the four main cases; see What types of duty drawback does NexQloud Drawback handle?

  • 19 U.S.C. 1313⁠[1]
  • 19 CFR Part 190, Subparts B, C, D and G⁠[2]⁠[3]⁠[4]⁠[5]
  • 19 CFR 190.91⁠[6]
Also asked
  • What are the main types of duty drawback?

Written by the NexQloud Drawback team from the primary sources linked on this page.

Not legal advice. NexQloud Drawback is not a government agency.

NexQloud Drawback is software used by licensed customs brokers.

Get started

Read less. Run the demo.

Run the demo on a sample file. About three minutes.

  1. 01

    Upload one quarter.

    Entry summaries, invoices and export records.

    WhoYou

  2. 02

    AI drafts your claim.

    It ties each export to its import, to the cent.

    WhoThe agent

  3. 03

    Your broker files. CBP pays you.

    The refund goes directly to your bank account.

    WhoA licensed broker

Your email and name open the demo. We never ask for your ACE login or bank details.

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IEEPA refunds

Got your IEEPA refund? Drawback is the one that repeats.

We check every entry for CAPE first, the order CBP recommends.⁠[7] Drawback can recur every year.

Which tariffs qualify?

Section 301 duties, the Section 122 surcharge and the Section 338 duties on Canada all qualify.⁠[8]⁠[9]⁠[10]

How CAPE and drawback fit together

For partners

Be the firm that finds your clients a second refund.

Brokers earn the drawback fee. CPA firms bill their own work. Refund firms keep their CAPE clients. Design partners help shape it before launch.

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No fee to apply. We reply within 2 business days.

Questions

Top questions

All questions
What is duty drawback?

A refund of up to 99% of the duties, taxes and fees you paid on imports that you later export or destroy, or that went into products you export.⁠[1] It works in any industry.

When can I start?

We open to importers in waves, in the order of the waitlist. The demo shows the whole product with sample data today, and partners can apply now.

What will you need from me?

One quarter of records to start: entry summaries, invoices, packing lists, shipping documents, and export, return or destruction records.

How long until CBP pays?

With accelerated payment, CBP can pay before the claim is final. Its only published timing, from December 2018: processing "will generally take place within 3 weeks of the claim resubmission date."⁠[11]

Can I use my own customs broker?

Yes. Invite your own broker, or use one we name before you sign. Your POA stays with your broker, and your broker sets its own fee.

What if CBP pays less than claimed?

The fee follows what CBP actually pays. If CBP later recovers part of a payment, the fee is reduced to match.

Do you file CAPE claims?

No. We check every entry for CAPE first and flag what belongs there. You or your broker files CAPE. Refund firms work through one of you.

Demo

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Watch the agent turn a sample file into a claim folder. About 3 minutes.

We'll email you the link and add you to the waitlist. Unsubscribe anytime. We never ask for your ACE login or bank details.