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CBP Provides Best Practices to Protect Your IEEPA Refund Information

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminds trade members to remain vigilant against scammers when seeking IEEPA refunds.

“With the launch of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), CBP expects that scammers will attempt to use social media, email, and other communication methods to secure account information from importers in order to interfere with the process of refunding International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duties,” the agency said in a May 7 CSMS.

Don’t get scammed! Don’t be a victim!

ONLY SHARE INFORMATION WITH TRUSTED PARTIES

If someone you do not know tells you they will file for an IEEPA refund on your behalf if you provide them with your personal information, company information, or banking information, this may be a scam. Only provide such information to trusted and validated parties.

ONLY USE VERIFIED ACCOUNTS

Using verified accounts through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal, filing a CAPE Declaration is the only way to submit a request for an IEEPA refund. Do not enter any information into a website other than ACE that claims to process IEEPA refunds.

ONLY REPLY TO OFFICIAL EMAIL ADDRESSES

CBP generally does not request sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords, via email or text message to process IEEPA refunds. If you receive a request for additional information from CBP to verify your identity, check that the request is from an official CBP email address (all CBP email addresses end in “@cbp.dhs.gov”).

WATCH OUT FOR:

• Requests for personal or financial information
• Offers of refunds in exchange for data
• Unsolicited emails, calls, or texts
• Pressure to act quickly
• Poor grammar, spelling errors, or suspicious links in solicitation emails

PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION:

• Ensure ACE account owner information is accurate and up to date.
• Do not respond to unsolicited emails about IEEPA refunds. CBP will not independently schedule reports to be delivered to users’ e-mail addresses. If trade users schedule ACE reports to be run and provided via email, reports will be provided from the following CBP email address: bobjadm@cbp.dhs.gov.
• Beware of phishing attempts: If you receive emails claiming to be from CBP regarding CAPE refund reports, verify the sender (all CBP email addresses end in “@cbp.dhs.gov”) and do not click on any links or attachments that have not been sent by CBP.
• Never share sensitive information: Do not provide personal or financial information in response to emails regarding CAPE refund reports or IEEPA refunds unless it is from a CBP email address (“@cbp.dhs.gov”).
• Use official channels: Always use official CBP email addresses for any questions or concerns.
• Report suspicious activity: If you receive suspicious emails or communications, report them to IEEPAFraud@cbp.dhs.gov.

The DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) also investigates allegations of fraud by submitting a complaint through the DHS OIG Hotline.

Your Weekly Recap

• CSMS # 68554727 - GUIDANCE: Technical Corrections to Section 232 Duties on Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper May 6
• CSMS # 68559236 - GUIDANCE: Applying Section 232 Import Duties on USMCA-Qualifying Medium-and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (MHDVs) May 6
• Reminder: Federal Register - Commerce Department Outlines Process for Steel and Aluminum Producers in Mexico and Canada to Obtain U.S. Tariff Reductions (25% rate reductions)
• Reminder: Federal Register - Commerce Department Reintroduces Non-Metal HTS No. 9903.82.01 for Articles Not Containing Aluminum, Steel or Copper
• Reminder: Recommended CTPAT Security Profile Questions — U.S. Importers, Foreign Manufacturers

Note: Italicized text is the day the news was published or made readily accessible.

CAPE IEEPA Refunds

Below are some helpful links to stay updated with CBP announcements regarding the CAPE IEEPA Refunds:

• International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Duty Refunds
• Electronic Refund Enrollment in CBP’s ACE Portal (PDF)
• Electronic Refund Enrollment in the ACE Portal (Video)
• ACE Portal and ACH Refunds FAQs

Upcoming Webinars:

IEEPA Duty Refunds for Small Businesses

Date/Time: Wednesday, May 13 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Registration: Click here

IEEPA Duty Refunds or Small Businesses

Date/Time: Wednesday, May 20 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Registration: Click here

ACE Reports for CAPE Claims – A Guide for Small Businesses

Date/Time: Thursday, May 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Registration: Click here

Additional Resources:

• CSMS # 68536553 - CBP Offers Multiple ACE Reports for Monitoring CAPE Refund Claims
• CSMS # 68569567 - Best Practices for Protecting Your Information Regarding IEEPA Refunds
• CSMS # 68397097 - Updated ACE Entry Summary Error Dictionary Now Available on CBP.gov
• CSMS # 68396594 - AVAILABLE NOW – Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) for IEEPA Refunds