ACE stands for Automated Commercial Environment. Why it matters for refunds:
- Drawback is filed electronically in ACE as entry type 47, through a CBP-authorized system.
- CAPE declarations for IEEPA refunds are uploaded in the ACE Portal, by CSV only.
- Refunds are paid by ACH, which requires an ACE Portal account and the ACH Refund application.
Why we don't connect: we know of no CBP interface that lets a third party pull an importer's entry data (as of October 2026).
And logging in as you would mean holding your credentials, which CBP's fraud guidance warns against.
How your ACE data reaches us instead:
- You run ACE Portal reports on entry summary lines and duties, and upload the exports.
- Your broker sends an extract from its entry system.
- Census ACE Export Reports supply your export filings.
Your broker files the claim through ABI.
- 19 CFR 190.51[1]
- Electronic Refunds rule, Federal Register, Jan 2, 2026[2]
- CBP CAPE guidance, via Troutman Pepper, Apr 2026[3]
- CBP CSMS #68569567, May 7, 2026[4]
- Census, ACE Export Reports[5]
Also asked
- What's the ACE portal for U.S. Customs compliance?
- Why is ACE critical for tariff refunds?
- What ACE reports do I need for 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.
