On May 12, U.S. Customs officially began issuingFirst tariff refundsThe

This is real, real money for cross-border sellers who have been tossed around by repeated tariff hikes over the past year - but the problem is, most sellers don't even know it:

• Are refunds automatic?
• Do you qualify?
• What materials do I need to prepare?
• Can I make up for missing it?

The answer is: refunds don't arrive automatically, they must be requested proactively. Miss the window and you may not get a penny back.

If you're not sure if you're eligible for a refund, or if you already have a U.S. company but don't know how to proceed, you can contact us today - and we'll help you get a refund eligibility assessment for free.

📞 Cell phone: 18676749275 ｜ 💬 WeChat: qcygscszk

01 What was the refund this time?

This refund is targeted:Import duties paid but ruled illegal by the court due to tariff policy adjustments.

Simply put - you've overpaid your taxes and now you can get them back.

List of Refund Scope

⚠️ Key Reminder:Refunds are not automatic and must be submitted proactively through the ACE system within a specified period of time.

02 Who can apply?Different situations for 3 types of sellers

Scenario 1: With a U.S. company + U.S. bank account ✅

Congrats, you're the smoothest of the bunch.

What needs to be done:

1. Login to the ACE system (ace.cbp.dhs.gov)
2. Confirmation that account information and bank information are registered
3. Organize historical import records and match customs declarations eligible for refunds
4. Submit a request in the Refund Module

Estimated time of arrival:4-8 weeks after approval

Scenario 2: Have a U.S. company but no U.S. bank account ⚠️

Stuck in collections.

Refunds can only be credited to US bank accounts, domestic accounts and third party collections such as Payoneer are not supported.

You need to:

• Open a U.S. commercial bank account as soon as possible (WaMu, CBI Fortune Harbor, etc.)
• or through a partner with a U.S. account.

Scenario 3: No U.S. company ❌

Sorry, it's not possible to apply directly.

The ACE system requires that the subject of the application must be a legally registered business entity (LLC or Corporation) in the United States. Using a mainland Chinese company or individual identity? --No way.

If you pay taxes but don't have a U.S. corporate body, it's the equivalent of leaving your money in the hands of the U.S. government for nothing.

If you don't have a U.S. company yet, or have a company but no U.S. bank account, you can contact us - U.S. company registration + EIN application + bank account opening one-stop agency to catch up with the refund window.

📞 Cell phone: 18676749275 ｜ 💬 WeChat: qcygscszk

If you need information about opening a bank account in the United States, you can read my previous articles:

One article to see 2026 U.S. Cathay Bank account opening complete strategy, in-depth dismantling of the whole process of Cathay Bank account opening!

2026 U.S. company tax filing season is coming! An article to sort out the key points of e-commerce tax filing for U.S. companies, and how to choose a low-tax state for U.S. company incorporation to save more rice!

03 What do I need to request a refund?

The 3 easiest things to get stuck on:

1. I can't find the customs declaration.-Contact the customs broker/customs broker to retrieve the historical records, which are usually kept for 3-5 years.
2. EIN does not match the customs declaration-If you change the company body, the tax of the old body cannot be claimed with the new body.
3. Unregistered bank information--The bank must be bound in advance in the ACE system, otherwise the application will be returned directly.

04 Refund application process (5 steps)

Step 1: Confirmation of eligibility

Checking customs records to determine which imports are eligible for refunds

↓Step 2: Preparation of materials

Collection of customs declarations, tax payment vouchers, company documents

↓Step 3: ACE registration

Confirmation of ACE account + bank information is bound

↓Step 4: Submission of applications

Fill out the application form in the ACE Refund Module

↓Step 5: Wait for review

Accounts arrive 4-8 weeks after approval

💡 Statute of limitations reminder:There is a window for refund requests, generally within 180 days of the effective date of the policy. Late applications are considered abandoned.

📞 If you have difficulties in organizing customs declaration records or filling out application forms, you can contact us - a professional team to assist in sorting out historical import data, docking the ACE system, and handling the entire refund application.

📞 Cell phone: 18676749275 ｜ 💬 WeChat: qcygscszk

05 You may also want to know

Q: I used Payoneer to receive money before, can I return it to Payoneer?

A: No. The ACE system only recognizes U.S. commercial bank accounts.

Q: I have canceled my U.S. company, can I still apply for a refund?

A: No. The company must be in existence at the time of application.

Q: Will refunds be re-taxed by the IRS?

A: Refunds are not income per se, but they need to be adjusted on the annual tax return if they involve import taxes that were previously credited.

Q: Should I apply now?

A:Should.The sooner you apply, the sooner it will arrive, and the policy window waits for no one.

Why choose Enterprise Finance?

🔹 1. Locally licensed services in the United States

With offices in the United States, Enterprise Cai Ying is well versed in state incorporation, EIN applications, bank account opening, and state tax compliance.

🔹 2. 400+ team of experts with 10 years of experience

The core members have been practicing for an average of 8-15 years, and annually handle2000+U.S. company formation and tax cases.

🔹 3. ACE system interfacing experience

Familiarize yourself with the CBP tax refund process and assist customersOrganize customs records, match refund eligibility, complete ACE e-registration, dramatically increasing the success rate.

🔹 4. One-stop full-cycle services

U.S. company registration → EIN application → bank account opening → ACE registration → tax return application → annual tax declaration, the whole chain of agency, do not have to dock multiple service providers.

Sellers have borne a huge cost of uncertainty over the past year as tariff policies have repeatedly jumped across the board. Now that the refund channel is open.But the money doesn't come to me.--You have to be proactive in applying.

If you're not sure if you qualify, or you don't know how to proceed, you can send us your most recent import customs clearance records toA free refund eligibility assessment for youThe

📞 Cell phone: 18676749275 ｜ 💬 WeChat: qcygscszk

Enterprise Caiying - 10 years of focus on cross-border e-commerce tax compliance, to help you go to sea without worry.