CBP Customs Duty Refund & Litigation Lawyer
If your business has paid excessive or unlawful import duties, you may be entitled to a CBP Tariff Refund. Navigating the refund process with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can be complex, especially with evolving regulations, strict deadlines, and administrative procedures.
At Chan Vitanza LLP, our experienced attorneys focus on CBP Customs Duty Refunds, CBP Customs Litigation, and tariff recovery strategies—helping importers maximize refunds and protect their legal rights.
What Is a CBP Tariff Refund?
A CBP Tariff Refund allows importers to recover duties that were:
- Incorrectly assessed
- Overpaid due to classification or valuation errors
- Impacted by regulatory or court decisions
- Eligible under programs such as duty drawback
Recent legal developments, including rulings from the U.S. Court of International Trade, have expanded refund opportunities for importers by requiring CBP to reassess and potentially return certain tariffs.
Additionally, CBP is implementing automated systems like CAPE to streamline refund claims and processing.
Henry C. Chan, Esq.
Understanding the CBP Refund Process
The CBP tariff refund process generally includes:
- Claim Identification – Determining eligible entries and duties
- Submission via CBP Systems – Including ACE/CAPE platforms
- Validation & Review – CBP verifies eligibility and recalculates duties
- Liquidation or Reliquidation – Final determination of duties owed
CBP’s evolving systems are designed to automate and centralize this process, but legal oversight remains critical to ensure successful claims.
Who Qualifies for a CBP Tariff Refund?
You may qualify if you are:
- An importer of record
- A manufacturer or distributor
- A retailer importing goods into the U.S.
- A business impacted by recent tariff rulings
Refund eligibility depends on multiple factors, including entry status, filing timelines, and regulatory changes.
Industries We Serve for CBP Tariff Refunds
Our CBP Tariff Refund Law Firm supports a wide range of industries impacted by U.S. import duties and tariff regulations:
- E-commerce & Retail Importers – Recover overpaid duties on bulk imports
- Automotive & Manufacturing – Address classification and valuation disputes
- Electronics & Technology – Handle complex tariff schedules and exclusions
- Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices – Navigate strict regulatory classifications
- Textiles & Apparel – Resolve high-duty category misclassifications
Each industry faces unique challenges, and our CBP Customs Duty Refund Lawyers tailor strategies to maximize recovery.
Common Reasons for CBP Customs Duty Refund Claims
Many importers unknowingly overpay duties due to avoidable or systemic issues. We frequently assist with:
- Incorrect HTS Classification – Misclassification leading to higher tariffs
- Valuation Errors – Improper inclusion of freight, insurance, or royalties
- Duplicate Duty Payments – Errors during entry filings
- Tariff Exclusion Misapplication – Failure to apply available exclusions
- Regulatory Changes – Refund eligibility due to new rulings or policies
Identifying these issues early can significantly increase your CBP Tariff Refund potential.
International Trade Insights
FAQs - More Information on Chan Vitanza U.S. Court of International Trade
A CBP tariff refund allows importers to recover overpaid or unlawfully imposed customs duties through administrative filings, protests, or litigation.
Typically, the Importer of Record (IOR), customs brokers, or authorized representatives can file for tariff refunds, provided they have proper documentation and filing rights.
Refunds can be filed through the CBP ACE portal (CAPE system) or by submitting a formal protest (CBP Form 19), depending on eligibility and timing.
You must file a protest within 180 days of liquidation of the entry; missing this deadline may permanently forfeit your refund rights.
CBP Form 19 is a formal protest document used to challenge customs decisions and request refunds when duties are disputed after liquidation.