March 17, 2026
Act Now: Importers Need ACE Access to Receive CBP Refunds
For importers, this is no longer something to handle later.
It is something to handle now.
As of February 6, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires refunds to be issued electronically through Automated Clearing House (ACH) in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). That means importers need the right ACE setup in place if they want refunds to move without unnecessary delay. CBP has also made clear that the trade community should review its refund resources, FAQs, and enrollment guidance now through CSMS #67513690 and the related ACH Refund page.
And right now, most importers still are not ready.
According to CBP’s March 2026 refund-process figures, more than 330,000 importers paid applicable duties, but only 21,423 had completed the setup required to receive refunds electronically. That is about 6.5%. Reporting on CBP’s filing also noted that refunds would be rejected until importers completed the required setup.
That is the real headline importers should focus on.
Why this matters now
Nearly all entry summaries already move through ACE. CBP has said the figure is roughly 97% to 99%, which means the broader trade community is already operating in that environment. But refund readiness has lagged behind. In other words, many importers are already using ACE in the normal course of trade without having fully prepared their accounts for electronic refunds.
This matters because refund eligibility and refund readiness are not the same thing.
A company may be entitled to a refund but still experience delays if it has not set up its ACE Portal account, enrolled in ACH refunds, and added valid U.S. bank account information. CBP’s refund guidance lists portal access, refund enrollment, and ACH setup as operational requirements, not optional cleanup tasks. For importers trying to navigate this environment more broadly, that is also why Mallory’s perspective in Why Trade Compliance Matters Now More Than Ever is so relevant right now.
What importers need to do now
1. Apply for an ACE Secure Data Portal account
If your company does not already have one, start with CBP’s Applying for an ACE Secure Data Portal Account. CBP also notes that companies should first confirm whether an account already exists before applying for a new one.
2. Make sure company information matches CBP records
When completing the application, your company name and address should match those on file with CBP. Differences can slow approval or create avoidable setup issues. This is the same kind of importer-readiness discipline Mallory has emphasized in updates like Global Trade and Compliance: January Update for Shippers, where documentation, compliance, and timing all affect what happens next.
3. Enroll in electronic refunds through ACE
CBP’s CSMS #67513690 reminder states that refunds will be issued electronically via ACH, subject to limited exceptions, and directs importers to the updated FAQ and training materials for ACH refund enrollment in ACE.
4. Set up U.S. bank account information in the portal
To receive refunds, importers must establish U.S. bank account information in ACE. CBP’s ACE Portal, the ACH Refunds FAQs, and the ACH Refund page all point importers to that setup requirement.
5. Decide who should manage access, users, and refund functions
ACE setup is not just about creating an account. It also requires practical decisions about users, permissions, notifications, reports, and whether trusted third parties should be granted access to help manage the process. CBP’s portal materials confirm that account owners and proxies can establish user profiles and manage access within ACE. If your team needs a broader customs and brokerage lens on that responsibility, Why Do You Need a Licensed Customs Broker? is a useful related read.
Where Mallory Alexander and M-PACT can help
This is where Mallory Alexander can provide practical support.
Our consulting services, billed hourly, can assist importers with:
- ACE Portal application support
- education and training on permissions and user setup
- granting access to users and third parties, including Mallory
- running ACE reports
- navigating the ACE Portal and CAPE-related workflows
- flagging entries for refunds
- setting up ACH banking information for refunds
- tracking liquidation and refund activity
Those services line up directly with the pain points importers are likely to face as they move from “we know this changed” to “we are actually set up correctly.” CBP’s own materials show that the process now depends on portal access, ACH enrollment, and accurate account management, not just awareness of the rule.
If you would like M-PACT to assist with processing refunds within the ACE Portal, Mallory can be granted access inside ACE as part of the customer’s account setup and user-management workflow. CBP’s portal guidance confirms that account owners and proxies control user profiles and access permissions within the system.
A reminder for importers
If your company has not signed up for an ACE Secure Data Portal account yet, now is the time.
A practical path forward looks like this:
- Apply for an ACE Secure Data Portal account
- Make sure your company name and address match exactly with what CBP has on file
- Enroll in electronic refunds through ACE
- Add your U.S. bank account information for ACH refunds
- Grant access inside ACE if you want M-PACT to assist with refund-related work
CBP has already published the FAQ and reminder notice, the portal application steps, and the ACH refund guidance. The bigger risk now is not lack of information. It is delay.
Final takeaway
The key message for importers is simple: act now.
CBP refunds are now electronic. Most importers are still not fully set up. And if your account is not ready, the refund process can stall before it starts.
If you need help with ACE Portal registration, ACH refund enrollment, permissions, reports, cross-account access, refund flagging, or refund tracking, Mallory Alexander and M-PACT can help you get ready. For readers following Mallory’s broader trade and customs coverage, this advisory fits naturally alongside Why Trade Compliance Matters Now More Than Ever, Why Do You Need a Licensed Customs Broker?, and Global Trade and Compliance: January Update for Shippers.
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