05/01/2026
CBP Reports Strong Launch and High Usage for New CAPE Functionality
Check out this week's Customs Corner to read about how CBP Reports Strong Launch and High Usage for New CAPE Functionality and more.
Trade and Customs Updates
CBP Reports Strong Launch and High Usage for New CAPE Functionality
On April 28, 2026, Executive Director of Trade Brandon Lord announced positive results following the rollout of the first phase of the CAPE functionality in the ACE system, which became available to importers and brokers at 7:11 a.m. Eastern on April 20, 2026.
The launch sparked a nearly 70 percent surge in ACE log-ins over the previous daily record. By 8 p.m. Eastern on April 26, a total of 75,306 CAPE declarations had been submitted, with 47,315 passing file validations and covering 11,222,927 entries accepted for IEEPA duty removal. Of these, around 1.74 million entries have already been liquidated and are in the refund process. However, 2,124,394 entries were rejected after failing entry-specific validations.
Customs anticipates issuing the first refund on or about May 11, 2026.
The next progress report on CAPE will be released on May 12, 2026.
Please make sure to reach out to [email protected] if you would like assistance with filing your CAPE refund declaration.
Reference:
CBP Reminds Trade Account Owners of Self-Management Tools for ACE Portal User Access
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reminding ACE Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal) Trade Account Owners (TAOs) that they have the ability to self-manage access for Proxy Trade Account Owners (PTAOs) and Trade Account Users (TAUs), including the option to reactivate user accounts when necessary.
To reactivate a user, TAOs should log in to the ACE Portal, navigate to the “Tools” tab, select the hyperlinked name of the appropriate PTAO or TAU, and click the “Reactivate” button. CBP recommends that, once reactivated, users log in to the ACE Portal to confirm their access. This self-service functionality streamlines account management and ensures timely restoration of user permissions.
For more detailed step-by-step instructions on reactivating PTAO and TAU accounts, review Topic 4: Reactivate and Revoke a User in the ACE Portal User Management reference guide.
Reference:
CSMS # 68510928 - REMINDER – ACE Portal Account Owners Can Reactivate Account Users
President Trump Announces Increase in Tariffs on European Union Cars and Trucks
President Donald Trump announced on social media that the United States will raise tariffs on cars imported from the European Union from the current 15%—which includes a 2.5% Most Favored Nation (MFN) rate—to 25%. However, he did not specify whether the new rate is in addition to the 2.5% MFN rate or replaces it, nor did he provide an exact date for when the change will take effect, stating only that it will happen "next week." Trump explained that the increase comes in response to the EU's alleged failure to comply with the terms of a previously agreed trade deal. While trucks from the EU are already subject to a 25% tariff, he clarified that vehicles manufactured in U.S. plants by European automakers will not be affected by the new tariffs.
CBP Announces 90-Day Extension of Jones Act Waiver for Covered Products, Updated Guidance Issued
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released updated guidance following CSMS #68096516, CSMS #68180454, and CSMS #68370692, announcing that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has approved a 90-day extension of the waiver originally issued on March 17, 2026, at the request of the Department of War (DOW). The extension will take effect from May 18, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. and will remain in place until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Sunday, August 16, 2026. To comply with the waiver requirements, any covered product must be loaded onto the appropriate vessel before the deadline. Along with this notice, CBP has also provided an updated list of potentially covered products, current as of April 24, 2026.
Reference:
List of Potentially Covered Products as of April 24 2026.xlsx
CPSC Announces Webinar Series to Prepare for E-Filing
Details:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is pleased to announce a series of upcoming webinars designed to guide you through the final months leading up to implementation of eFiling for most regulated products. These sessions will provide a general overview of eFiling, share what you can expect upon full implementation, and highlight updates to the Product Registry.
Deadline/event date:
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (2:00–3:00 PM ET) – 2 Months Out
Register here: May 6 Webinar Registration
Please submit your questions by May 1, 2026,with your registration at the link above.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 (2:00–3:00 PM ET) – 1 Month Out
Register here: June 3 Webinar Registration
Please submit your questions by May 29, 2026,with your registration at the link above.
Webinar Details
Attendance is limited to 1,000 participants per session.
Q&A and Chat features will not be available live; please submit all questions by the deadlines indicated above when registering.
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