What Is the CAPE Portal and How to Access It
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TL;DR – CAPE is not a separate website. It's a tab inside CBP's ACE Secure Data Portal at ace.cbp.dhs.gov. The tab is available in three sub-account types: Importer, Filer, and Organizational Broker. Log in to ACE, navigate to the correct sub-account, and look for the CAPE tab. It became available on April 20, 2026. If you don't see it, you're in the wrong sub-account or your account doesn't have the right access configured.
What People Mean When They Search "CAPE Portal"
Most importers searching for "CAPE portal" are looking for a standalone government website where they can submit their tariff refund claim — something like a dedicated URL you'd type directly into your browser.
That website doesn't exist.
CAPE — Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries — is a feature built into CBP's existing ACE Secure Data Portal, which is the same system importers and brokers have been using for years to manage customs filings, pull reports, and track entries. CBP added a CAPE tab to ACE on April 20, 2026, specifically to handle IEEPA duty refunds. There's no separate login, no new account to create, and no other URL to visit.
If you already have an ACE Portal account with the right sub-account type, you can access CAPE right now.
Which Sub-Accounts Can Access CAPE
CAPE is available in three ACE Portal sub-account types:
- Importer – for importers of record filing on their own behalf
- Filer – for customs brokers filing entries using a filer code
- Organizational Broker – for broker organizations filing across multiple accounts
If you're an importer filing your own CAPE Declaration, you use your Importer sub-account. If you're a customs broker filing on behalf of an importer, you use your Filer or Organizational Broker sub-account — not the importer's account. Each account type sees the CAPE tab in its own view.
Where to Find the CAPE Tab
Go to ace.cbp.dhs.gov and log in with your existing credentials.
Once inside, navigate to the correct sub-account for your role — Importer, Filer, or Organizational Broker. The CAPE tab appears in the tab navigation for all three. If you're in the wrong sub-account view, or if your account doesn't have that sub-account type set up, the tab won't appear.
The CAPE tab contains a File Uploads subtab where you upload your Declaration CSV and view upload history. When you're ready to file, this is where you download the CAPE upload template, enter your entry numbers, and submit.
If the tab isn't visible after confirming you're in the right sub-account, your account may need that sub-account type added. Contact ACE Portal support at 866-530-4172 option 1, or email ACE.Applications@cbp.dhs.gov.
What You Need Before You Open CAPE
Seeing the CAPE tab is only the first step. Before you can file and actually receive a refund, two things need to be in place.
First, you need your ES-003 report. The CAPE Declaration is a CSV file containing your eligible entry numbers. Those numbers come from the ES-003 Entry Summary Line Tariff Details report — a standard ACE report that shows every entry, duty amount, and liquidation status. If you haven't pulled your ES-003 yet, do that before opening CAPE. See the ES-003 Guide for exact steps, including which fields CBP doesn't include by default.
Second, ACH enrollment must be set up in ACE Portal under your Importer sub-account. ACH is the electronic payment system CBP uses to send your refund to a bank account. If ACH isn't configured when your refund processes, CBP will reject the payment — the money won't go anywhere until you fix it. As of March 27, 2026, CBP confirmed that over 12,300 certified refunds had already been rejected because recipients hadn't enrolled in ACH — and that was before Phase 1 even launched. Set this up before you file. See the ACH Setup Guide for the step-by-step process.
Note for brokers: ACH enrollment is tied to the importer's Importer sub-account, not to your broker account. If you're filing on an importer's behalf, confirm they have ACH enrolled. A broker's ACE account and ACH enrollment are not the same thing as the importer's.
What You Do Inside the CAPE Tab
Once you're in the correct sub-account with your ES-003 data ready, the process has three steps.
In the File Uploads subtab, click the CAPE Upload Template link to download the CSV template. Fill in your entry numbers — one per row, one column, nothing else. Save it as a CSV file. Then click the Upload button, select your file, and complete the certification acknowledgment before submitting.
CBP then runs two rounds of validation. The first checks the file format — column structure, no duplicates, correct file type. The second checks each individual entry number against CBP's records to confirm it's eligible for Phase 1. Entries that don't pass the second check are rejected individually; the rest of the Declaration proceeds. You'll receive a claim number and can view the validation status in the CAPE File Upload History.
After acceptance, CBP processes the entries and issues refunds within 60–90 days. You can track status using the REV-615 report inside ACE Portal — it's specifically designed to show CAPE Declaration status and refund progress.
If you encounter errors during upload, see the CAPE Error Codes Guide for a breakdown of every error message and how to fix it.
If You Don't Have an ACE Portal Account
CAPE requires an ACE Portal account with the appropriate sub-account type. There's no workaround.
Registering yourself: Account setup and approval typically takes several business days for basic processing, though the full process including verification codes and sub-account activation can take longer. If you don't have an account at all, the ACE Portal Setup Guide walks through the full process including common errors.
Using a customs broker: A licensed broker who filed your original entries can submit a CAPE Declaration for those entries using their Filer or Organizational Broker sub-account. You'll need to confirm they have a valid Power of Attorney on file. Brokers can include entries from multiple importers in a single Declaration. See How Much Do Brokers Charge for CAPE for current market rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a separate CAPE Portal website I can go to directly? No. CAPE is a tab inside CBP's existing ACE Portal at ace.cbp.dhs.gov. There is no standalone CAPE website, no separate login, and no other URL. If you see a site claiming to be the "CAPE Portal" at a non-.gov domain, do not enter your credentials there.
I'm logged in to ACE but I don't see the CAPE tab — where is it? Confirm you're in the right sub-account. The CAPE tab is available in Importer, Filer, and Organizational Broker sub-accounts. If you're viewing a different sub-account type, you won't see it. If you're in the right sub-account and it still doesn't appear, that sub-account type may not be set up on your account — contact ACE support at 866-530-4172 option 1.
Can I access CAPE as a customs broker filing on behalf of an importer? Yes. Brokers use their Filer or Organizational Broker sub-account — not the importer's account — to submit CAPE Declarations. The first three characters of each entry number must match the filer code associated with your account. You can include entries from multiple importers in one Declaration, up to the 10,000-entry limit.
Does opening the CAPE tab automatically start a refund process? No. Navigating to the CAPE tab does nothing by itself. A refund only begins when you upload a Declaration CSV, CBP validates it, and the Declaration is accepted. Viewing the tab has no effect on any of your entries.
I filed a CAPE Declaration — how do I check the status? Use the REV-615 report inside ACE Portal. It shows the status of your Declaration and the processing state of each entry. The CAPE File Upload History in the CAPE tab also shows validation status. If a refund payment was rejected due to missing ACH enrollment, that will appear in the REV-613 report.
Does my broker's ACH enrollment cover my refund? No. ACH enrollment for IEEPA refunds must be tied to the importer's Importer sub-account in ACE, not the broker's account. Confirm your Importer sub-account has ACH bank information enrolled. A broker's ACE enrollment is separate.