Part of the Temple Chamber of Commerce mission is helping local businesses stay informed on developments that could impact costs, operations, and growth opportunities; and this is one worth noting.

For Temple-area businesses that import goods, a recent federal update may be worth a closer look.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has introduced a new system designed to process refunds tied to certain tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). While not every business will qualify, companies involved in importing products directly into the U.S. may have an opportunity to recover previously paid costs.

What Is CAPE?

The new process is called CAPE. It’s short for Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries. It was created to simplify how eligible tariff refunds are requested and processed.

Rather than handling refunds one shipment at a time, CAPE is intended to consolidate claims and improve efficiency for qualifying importers.

Phase 1 launched on April 20, 2026, and currently applies to certain unliquidated entries and some entries within 80 days of liquidation.

Which Businesses Should Pay Attention?

This update is most relevant for businesses that:

• Imported goods directly into the United States
• Paid tariffs that were a result of IEEPA-related policies
• Were listed as the Importer of Record

If your business only experienced higher costs through suppliers or vendors, this process will not apply to you at this time.

Smart Next Steps

If you believe your company qualifies, now is a good time to:

• Review your import records
• Confirm whether IEEPA duties were paid
• Speak with your customs broker, CPA, or trade advisor

CBP has indicated that many approved refunds may be issued within 60 to 90 days, depending on the complexity of the filing.

Learn more about your potential eligibility on the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol website. (https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/trade-remedies/ieepa-duty-refunds)

And check out the U.S. Chamber’s Tariff Refunds Guide and FAQ. (https://www.uschamber.com/economy/tariff-refunds-faq-what-small-businesses-need-to-know-after-supreme-courts-ruling)

Looking Out For Local Businesses

Federal policy changes can sometimes seem far removed from day-to-day operations until they affect costs, margins, or competitiveness.

This is a good example of why keeping an eye on regulatory developments matters for growing businesses.

As a Chamber member, you don’t have to do that on your own. The Chamber keeps watch on these kinds of issues so we can share them with you to help you make the best-informed decisions for your business.