A recent upgrade to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) data portal policy marks a transition to an electronic refund process. Policy change ensures faster refunds for CBP registrants. The CBP Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal will fully transition to an electronic refund process on February 6, 2026. The move is the latest of several CBP policy changes made in the past year.

Portal Updates

The CBP ACE portal is the centralized platform connecting the trade community with CBP and partner government agencies. Using the portal gives applicants real-time access to trade transactions and data. On January 6, 2026, CBP announced two updates regarding the ACE portal. The first introduces a secure online tool for authorizing electronic refunds, and the second simplifies the application process for creating importer accounts.

Together, these enhancements prepare users for the transition to an electronic refund process. These improvements enable automated processing, making it easier, faster and more secure for businesses to engage in lawful trade with CBP. Additionally, the changes help businesses track their customs transactions online, enhancing the portal efficiency without sacrificing privacy or national security. Finally, adopting an electronic refund process will also provide increased security against financial fraud and improper payments.

After February 6, 2026, the Department of the Treasury (DOT) won’t issue paper checks for CBP refunds. The one exception is for recipients with an approved waiver in place in accordance with 31 C.F.R. § 208.4. Individuals expecting a refund from the CBP ACE portal should file for one as soon as possible.

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