What happens when you get a tariff refund

A tariff refund is money the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) returns to you when you paid import duties on goods that should not have been taxed, were taxed at the wrong rate, or were subject to a tariff that was later suspended or eliminated. The refund process is not automatic — you have to request it, and the money moves through CBP's systems before it reaches your bank account or the account of whoever paid the original duty.

The timeline depends on how you paid the duty in the first place. If you paid through a customs broker or importer of record, the refund typically goes back to that entity first, and they forward it to you. If you paid directly to CBP, the refund comes to you directly. Either way, you are waiting for CBP to process your claim, verify the facts, and issue the refund — a process that usually takes several months.

Key Takeaways

  • You must file a refund claim with CBP within two years of the date you paid the duty, or the claim is barred forever.
  • The refund request goes to the port of entry where your goods were cleared, and CBP decides whether the duty was owed at all.
  • If you paid through a customs broker, the refund goes to the broker's account first, and the broker is responsible for sending it to you.
  • CBP typically issues a refund decision within 90 days of receiving a complete claim, but processing can take longer if CBP needs more information.
  • Once CBP approves the refund, the money is deposited into the account on file — usually the same account that paid the original duty.

The two-year window and how to count it

You have exactly two years from the date you paid the duty to file a refund claim with CBP. This important date is absolute. If you miss it, CBP will reject your claim, and you have no other avenue to recover the money. The two years runs from the payment date shown on your entry documents or receipt, not from the date you discovered the overpayment.

If you paid the duty on January 15, 2023, your important date to file is January 15, 2025. If you file on January 16, 2025, the claim is rejected. This is why many importers track their entry dates and set internal reminders well before the two-year mark. If you are unsure of the exact payment date, check your customs entry paperwork or ask your broker — they keep records of all entries they filed on your behalf.

Where the claim goes and who reviews it

You file your refund claim with the port of entry where your goods were cleared by CBP. This is the physical or virtual location where your shipment entered the United States — for example, the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Newark, or the Chicago International Mail Facility. You do not file with CBP headquarters in Washington. The port's entry specialist reviews your claim and decides whether the duty was assessed correctly.

The claim itself is a written request that includes your entry number, the date of entry, the amount of duty you paid, and the reason you believe the duty should be refunded. You must attach supporting documents — a bill of lading, a commercial invoice, a classification ruling from CBP, or evidence that a tariff was suspended. The port of entry will not refund money based on your word alone. If your claim is incomplete, the port will ask for more information before making a decision.

How the refund moves if you used a customs broker

If a customs broker or freight forwarder paid the duty on your behalf, the refund is issued to the broker's account, not yours. The broker is the importer of record on the entry, and CBP sends the money back to the entity that paid it. You then have to contact the broker and ask them to forward the refund to you. This is a separate transaction between you and the broker — CBP's job ends when the money reaches the broker's account.

This arrangement sometimes causes delays. A broker may hold the refund for a few days while they reconcile their accounts, or they may batch refunds and send them weekly. Some brokers charge a small fee to process the refund on your behalf, though this is not standard. If you are waiting for a refund that went to your broker, contact them directly and ask for the status. CBP's tracking will show the refund was issued, but CBP does not track what happens after that.

The timeline from claim to deposit

CBP aims to issue a refund decision within 90 days of receiving a complete claim. In practice, the timeline varies. A straightforward claim — for example, a tariff that was suspended and you have the suspension notice — may be decided in 30 to 45 days. A complex claim that requires CBP to review classification or value may take 90 days or longer. If CBP needs additional documents from you, the clock pauses while you gather and submit them.

Once CBP approves the refund, the money is deposited into the account that paid the original duty. If you paid by check, CBP issues a check. If you paid by wire transfer, the refund is wired to the same account. If you paid through a broker, the refund goes to the broker's account. The actual deposit into your bank account may take an additional 3 to 5 business days, depending on your bank's processing speed.

What happens if CBP denies your claim

If CBP decides the duty was assessed correctly, they will deny your refund claim in writing and explain the reason. You have the right to appeal this decision to the CBP Office of Trade within 180 days of the denial. An appeal is a formal written request that includes new evidence or a legal argument for why CBP's decision was wrong. Appeals are not common and require either new information or a clear error in CBP's reasoning.

If your appeal is also denied, you can file a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade, but this is expensive and requires an attorney. Most importers do not pursue appeals or litigation unless the refund amount is substantial. If you believe CBP made a clear mistake, contact a customs attorney before the 180-day appeal window closes.

Tracking your refund claim status

You can check the status of your refund claim by contacting the port of entry where you filed it. You will need your entry number and the date you filed the claim. Some ports have online tracking systems, but most require a phone call or email to the entry specialist assigned to your case. The port can tell you whether the claim is still under review, whether CBP has requested additional information, or whether a decision has been issued.

If you filed through a broker, ask the broker for the entry number and the port of entry, then contact the port directly. Do not rely on the broker to check status for you — they may not prioritize it. If you filed the claim yourself, keep a copy of your filing receipt or confirmation email. This document shows the date you filed and proves you met the two-year important date if there is ever a dispute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a refund claim if the tariff was suspended after I paid the duty?

Yes. If a tariff was suspended or eliminated after you paid the duty, you can file a refund claim for the duty you paid. You will need a copy of the suspension notice or the Federal Register entry showing the suspension date. CBP will refund the duty if you paid it before the suspension took effect.

What if I paid the duty but the goods were never actually imported?

If the goods were rejected at the border or returned to the shipper before clearing customs, you should not have been charged duty in the first place. File a refund claim with the port of entry and include the rejection notice or return documentation. CBP will refund the duty once they verify the goods did not enter the country.

How long does it take to get the money after CBP approves the refund?

CBP issues the refund within a few business days of approval. If the refund was paid to a broker, the broker then sends it to you — this can take an additional week or more depending on the broker. Once the money is deposited into your bank account, your bank may hold it for 1 to 3 business days before it is available to you.

What if I cannot find my entry number or the exact date I paid the duty?

Contact the port of entry or your customs broker and provide as much information as you have — the shipment date, the shipper's name, the product description, or the invoice number. The port can search their records using this information and locate your entry. Your broker will have all entry details in their system and can provide them when ready.

Can I file a refund claim for multiple entries at once?

Yes. You can file separate claims for each entry, or you can file a single claim covering multiple entries if they are related — for example, multiple shipments of the same product that were all misclassified. Each claim must include the entry number, payment date, and supporting documents for that entry. Filing multiple claims does not speed up the process, but it is allowed.