How to Set Up ACH Refunds in ACE (and When to Use CBP Form 4811)

No ACH enrollment, no refund. Since February 6, 2026, CBP issues refunds electronically by ACH, with limited exceptions, and CBP has said IEEPA refunds through CAPE follow that rule. As of September 11, 2026, about $1.3 billion in refunds was held because importers had no bank information on file.

Step 1: get into the ACE Portal

ACH refund enrollment is done in the ACE Portal by the importer's Trade Account Owner. If your company has no ACE Portal account, see how to get ACE Portal access.

Step 2: add the bank account

1. The Trade Account Owner logs in and opens the Importer sub-account.
2. Select the "ACH Refund Authorization" tab and choose "Get Info/Refresh."
3. Add the bank details. This is done separately for each importer number (EIN plus suffix) on file.

The account must be at a U.S. bank, and CBP rejects routing numbers that do not process FedACH payments. An importer without a U.S. bank account can use a U.S. correspondent bank or designate a third party to receive refunds.

Why it matters

Under CBP's electronic refunds rule, a refund due to an importer with no bank information on file is rejected, and it does not accrue interest while it waits. A paper-check waiver is available only in limited cases under 31 CFR 208.4, requested in writing to CBP's Revenue Division.

CBP Form 4811: sending refunds to someone else

Form 4811 lets an importer designate a "notify party," such as its customs broker, to receive refunds.

• Since February 6, 2026, only the 12/25 version of the form is accepted. It is submitted by email to the importer's assigned Center of Excellence and Expertise, or through "Add Notify Party" in the ACE Portal by the Trade Account Owner.
• A refund goes to the notify party only if the party is in the importer's ACE profile and its number appears in box 28 of the entry summary (CBP Form 7501).
• The notify party must also be enrolled for ACH. If it is not, the refund defaults to the importer's ACH account.

What this means for importers

Check ACH enrollment before anything else. If a 4811 designee is on file, confirm with them whether your refund was paid to them. See approved but not paid.

General information, not legal or customs advice. Facts last reviewed September 24, 2026. Confirm dates and options for your entries with a licensed professional.