10/17/2025
CBP Launches ACE Portal Upgrade for Electronic Refunds Under Executive Order 14247
Check out this week's Customs Corner to read about the CBP's ACE portal upgrade for electronic refunds under Executive Order 14247, tariff actions on shipping equipment and LNG shipments, and more.
Trade and Customs Updates
1) CBP Launches ACE Portal Upgrade for Electronic Refunds Under Executive Order 14247
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has updated the ACE Secure Data Portal to allow authorized importers to submit U.S. bank information and receive electronic refunds via ACH, replacing the previous form process and requiring portal enrollment, with expanded user permissions expected in December 2025.
On October 6, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided an update via a support call to the enhancements to the ACE Secure Data Portal, enabling authorized trade users to submit U.S. bank account information and receive electronic refunds directly via Automated Clearing House (ACH), in line with Executive Order 14247.
This new feature, detailed in the ACE Portal Trade Update guidance and the ACH Bank Information for Electronic Refunds Quick Reference Card, currently applies only to importers receiving refunds, with the Trade Account Owner (TAO) as the sole user able to add, edit, or view ACH refund bank details. CBP plans to expand account permissions in December 2025. Importers must add bank account data at each 5106 EIN + Suffix level, as accounts may vary by suffix, and this portal enrollment replaces the previous ACH refund form process.
Importers will now need a portal account to request ACH refunds. For assistance, refund-related questions can be directed to [email protected] or (317) 298-1200, ext. 4015, while ACE portal support is available at (866) 530-4172 or [email protected].
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2) U.S. Trade Representative Updates Tariff Actions on Shipping Equipment and LNG Shipments
The U.S. Trade Representative announced changes to trade actions, including new tariffs on Chinese ship-to-shore cranes and cargo equipment, fee adjustments for vehicle carrier vessels, LNG licensing policy revisions, exemptions for Maritime Security Program operators, and the opening of a public comment period for further proposed modifications.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced significant updates to its ongoing trade actions, with new measures affecting shipping equipment and LNG licensing. These changes, published in official notices on April 23 and June 12, 2025, reflect the USTR’s ongoing efforts to adapt trade policy in response to evolving circumstances.
Key modifications include an adjustment to the fee structure and rates for vehicle carrier vessels, as outlined in Annex III of the April 23 notice. Operators participating in the Maritime Security Program will now be exempt from these fees.
In a significant change for the energy sector, the USTR has eliminated paragraph (j) of Annex IV from the April notice. This paragraph had previously given the USTR the authority to suspend licensing for liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments if certain scheduling requirements were not met.
Additionally, the USTR has imposed a new 100 percent duty on ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and certain types of cargo handling equipment from China, as detailed in Annex V.A of the latest notice.
The USTR is also seeking public input on further proposed modifications, opening a public comment docket for interested parties to provide feedback. The notice includes ministerial clarifications designed to ensure greater transparency and certainty in the administration of these measures.
Stakeholders are encouraged to review the latest notice and submit comments on the proposed changes as the USTR continues to refine its trade actions.
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3) U.S. Announces New Import Restrictions on Fish Products Under Marine Mammal Protection Act
Effective January 1, 2026, the U.S. will ban imports of fish and fish products from foreign fisheries that do not meet American marine mammal protection standards, following new comparability findings announced by the National Marine Fisheries Service under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced new import restrictions for fish and fish products under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Effective January 1, 2026, only fish and fish products from foreign fisheries that have received a "comparability finding"—meaning they meet U.S. marine mammal protection standards—will be allowed entry into the United States. This determination affects fisheries listed in the List of Foreign Fisheries (LOFF) from 135 nations and approximately 2,500 fisheries evaluated by NMFS.
Nations whose fisheries are denied a comparability finding will be prohibited from exporting those fish and fish products to the U.S. until the restrictions are lifted or revised. These trade restrictions will remain in effect until at least December 31, 2029. Importers must also provide a Certification of Admissibility for eligible products. Since comparability findings are determined on a fishery-by-fishery basis, nations with denials for certain fisheries can continue to export from those that have received approval.
NMFS is notifying all affected nations directly, and detailed information—including which fisheries received or were denied comparability findings—is available on the NMFS website.
For more details, visit: NOAA Fisheries - 2025 MMPA Comparability Finding Determinations.
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