As importers continue pursuing refund claims for return of tariffs unlawfully imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), companies should be aware of an increasing number of unsolicited communications relating to the refund process.
We have recently received inquiries from clients regarding letters, emails, and other communications that appear to relate to IEEPA tariff refunds. Some of these communications referenced specific import activity, refund opportunities, or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) programs and, at first glance, may seem legitimate. In certain cases, the communications encouraged recipients to call a telephone number, visit a website, or scan a QR code for additional information.
While some of these communications may originate from legitimate service providers seeking to offer refund-related assistance, others may be attempts to obtain sensitive information or direct importers to unauthorized websites. As a result, importers should carefully evaluate any unsolicited communication before responding or providing company information.
CBP recently addressed this issue in a bulletin, warning importers that bad actors may seek to exploit interest in IEEPA refunds and the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) refund process. CBP cautioned importers against relying on unsolicited communications and reminded them to use official CBP channels and the ACE Secure Data Portal for refund-related information.
Importers should consider the following best practices:
- Verify the source of any unsolicited communication concerning IEEPA refunds. Some of these communications include a significant level of detail. Do not rely on information provided to you as proof that the communication is legitimate or official.
- Avoid clicking links, opening attachments, or scanning QR codes unless the sender's identity has been independently confirmed.
- Do not provide ACE credentials, banking information, passwords, or other sensitive company information in response to unexpected requests.
- Ensure all ACE account information is accurate and up to date. Remove or deactivate account credentials for former employees or others that previously had access. Dormant accounts can be used to infiltrate account systems.
- Rely on official CBP resources and the ACE Secure Data Portal when monitoring refund claims or responding to CBP inquiries.
- 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.
Given the significant interest in IEEPA refunds, importers should expect continued outreach from various parties offering refund-related services. Companies should ensure that personnel involved in customs compliance, trade, logistics, and finance functions understand how to identify and appropriately vet such communications.
Check out our previous alerts and articles regarding IEEPA tariffs below:
For more information, including questions regarding the CAPE refund process, please contact us or your regular Parker Poe contact. Click here to subscribe to our latest alerts and insights.