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How to use the ACE portal to gather data for IEEPA tariff refunds
March 20, 2026 · Authored by Tosca Derrick and Danae Helgeson
Importers hoping to recover IEEPA-related tariffs face significant challenges. The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal is currently the only avenue to a refund, yet many companies lack access and others find the interface difficult to navigate. Understanding how to use ACE portal reports for IEEPA tariff refunds is a critical first step in preparing for recovery.
Early preparation matters. A surge in filings is expected when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launches its CAPE (Claims and Processing Engine) system. While courts have pushed for refunds to move forward, CBP is still working on a system capable of handling the volume. For now, importers are operating within these constraints.
This guide explains how to confirm access, validate account configuration and gather the data required to support an IEEPA tariff refund.
How to navigate the ACE portal
- Before you start: Collect documents
- Step 1: Confirm an ACE account exists or create one
- Step 2: Confirm the ACE account is set up correctly
- Step 3: Open reports and navigate to entry data
- Step 4: Set report parameters
- Step 5: Export and save report data
- Step 6: Download liquidation reports
- Step 7: Check notify party settings
- Step 8: Set up ACH refund authorization
- Common issues
The expected process is to submit data through ACE, recalculate duties without IEEPA, validate entries and issue payments. The scale is significant, with estimates in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Timeline
Date | Event |
February 2026 | IEEPA tariffs determined unlawful by Supreme Court |
March 2026 | CIT directed refunds and required updates |
April 2026 (target) | CAPE refund system becomes available |
Ongoing | 180-day protest window applies to certain entries |
What documentation should be assembled for ACE?
Begin assembling documentation at the entry level:
- Entry summaries (Form 7501)
- Commercial invoices and packing lists
- Bills of lading and arrival notices (if applicable)
- Purchase orders
- Proof of duty payment
The objective is to confirm that entry data is complete and usable.
Step 1: Confirm an ACE account exists or create one
Start at the ACE login page.
If an account exists, log in through the trade user portal. If not, begin the ACE Secure Data Portal account process.
A Form 5106 must be on file with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before an importer account can be created. If you need one, reach out to an import broker.
If no one at your organization can access the account, either because the account was never set up, access is tied to a former user, or credentials are no longer active, you may need to contact the ACE help desk.
Note that it can take 4-6 weeks for CBP to set up an account.
Step 2: Confirm the ACE account is set up correctly
Once inside ACE, confirm that the account is configured as an importer.
If the account isn’t set up as an importer, required reports and data won’t be available. This is a common issue. Account configuration issues generally require support from the ACE help desk to correct.
Take the time to review additional account details, specifically contact information. It should be current and tied to someone who can respond to CBP communications.
Step 3: Open reports and navigate to entry data
From the top navigation, open Reports, then Folders.
Follow the reporting path: Public Folders → ACE → Trade → Importer → Entry Summary
Run the three entry summary reports:
- ES001 (Entry Summary Header)
- ES002 (Entry Summary Line)
- ES003 (Tariff Details)
Run each report individually. Reports can’t be run together.
Select the appropriate ACE ID. If multiple importer accounts exist, each must be run separately.
When running reports, a common failure point is a report that returns “0 seconds” with no data. This indicates the report didn’t execute correctly and must be rerun with the parameters reviewed and corrected.
Step 4: Set report parameters
Select the correct Trade Account ACE ID and apply the defined date range used for IEEPA review:
- Entry date beginning Jan. 1, 2025
- Entry date ending March 1, 2026
The IEEPA tariffs ended Feb. 24, 2026, at 12:01 a.m., however a broker’s system might not have updated. Extending the range will include anything applied belatedly that shouldn't have been.
If parameters are incorrect, relevant entries may not be captured. If a report returns no data or shows a “0 seconds” run time, the parameters should be reviewed and the report rerun.
Step 5: Export and save report data
Export reports in Excel format and select all report outputs, not just the main report.
Save files in a controlled location, not only in the downloads folder. Be sure to store your data in a secure location, as problems have been reported, likely due to the system being under construction.
Step 6: Download liquidation reports
Navigate through the same reporting structure and locate the liquidation reports:
- ES701 (Courtesy Notice of Liquidation)
- ES702 (Notice of Extension, Suspension and Liquidation)
Run each report individually.
Select the appropriate Trade Account ACE ID. If multiple importer accounts or sub-entities exist, run them separately.
Export the reports in the same way as the entry summary reports and save them in an accessible location.
Step 7: Check notify party settings
Review notify party settings to confirm who receives account communications. This is in addition to the contact information update in Step 2. Listing someone who can communicate with CBP about tariffs and refunds is vital.
If updates are needed, changes may require support from the ACE help desk.
Step 8: Set up ACH refund authorization
ACH (Automated Clearing House) refund authorization is required for refunds to be issued. This is the only method currently used to return funds, and fewer than 10% of importers have this capability set up. To check and set up ACH:
- Open the ACH refund authorization section in the ACE account
- Select the option to retrieve or refresh account information
- If the system returns “no ACH data found,” proceed to add your ACH information
- Enter the required bank details and submit
- A U.S. bank account is required.
Common issues: Where does the ACE process break down?
The process is difficult and inconsistent in practice. Common issues include:
- No access to an existing account
- Accounts not configured as importers
- Multiple ACE IDs requiring separate report runs
- Reports that fail, return incomplete data, or display a “0 seconds” result
- Slow system performance
- Missing ACH setup, preventing refunds
- Difficulty assembling entry-level documentation
When do you need the ACE portal help desk?
Certain issues can’t be resolved within ACE and require the ACE help desk, including:
- Restoring access when credentials are unavailable or tied to a former user
- Correcting account configuration or account type
- Updating account ownership or user roles
- Resolving account-level access restrictions
Contacting the help desk may involve extended wait times and additional follow-up, but the automated hold message provides some useful information. These issues occur frequently and can delay or limit recovery.
How Baker Tilly supports tariff refund readiness
Baker Tilly’s tariff refund and recovery services help organizations move from legal ruling to operational execution. Our global trade advisors work alongside federal, state and international tax specialists, as well as data and technology teams, to assess refund exposure, organize and validate entry data, develop defensible calculation methodologies and establish governance frameworks aligned with anticipated CBP requirements.
We bring deep industry knowledge across manufacturing, transportation and logistics, aerospace and defense, retail, private equity and other trade-intensive sectors. This perspective allows us to tailor refund strategy, documentation readiness and tax planning considerations to the operational realities of each organization.
By prioritizing readiness before formal refund procedures are finalized, organizations can reduce execution risk and position themselves to act decisively when filing windows open. This integrated, industry-informed approach supports timely submission, clearer administrative review and stronger confidence throughout the recovery process.
Continue the conversation
As the implications of the Supreme Court ruling unfold, organizations may wish to evaluate how current guidance applies to their specific circumstances.
If you’re interested in exploring potential IEEPA refund considerations with our global trade management team.
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