What the May 11 tariff refund covers and who receives it

The May 11 tariff refund is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that returns duties paid on goods imported between May 11, 2024, and a specified end date. The refund applies to tariffs imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on Chinese goods, as well as certain steel and aluminum tariffs. You receive a refund if you imported goods that fell under these tariff categories during the covered window.

CBP does not automatically send refunds. You must file a claim with the agency, and the refund goes to the importer of record listed on the customs entry documents. If you are a business that imported goods during this period, you are responsible for tracking which shipments may have access to and submitting the necessary paperwork.

The refund amount depends on the total duties you paid on may have access to goods. CBP calculates this based on your entry records, not on what you think you paid. You will need your entry numbers and commercial invoice copies to support your claim.

Key Takeaways

  • The May 11 tariff refund covers duties paid on Chinese goods and certain steel and aluminum imports between May 11, 2024, and the program end date set by CBP.
  • You must file a claim with U.S. Customs and Border Protection; refunds are not issued automatically to importers.
  • The importer of record on the customs entry is the party may have access to to the refund, and you will need entry numbers and commercial invoices to file.
  • CBP processes refund claims through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system, and processing time varies depending on claim volume and completeness.
  • If your claim is denied, CBP provides a written explanation, and you can file a protest or request reconsideration through formal channels.

How to file a May 11 tariff refund claim with CBP

To file a claim, you need to gather your entry documents first. Locate all customs entries for goods imported between May 11, 2024, and the end date of the program. Your entry number appears on your entry summary (Form 3461) or your commercial invoice. You will also need the commercial invoices, bills of lading, and packing lists for each shipment.

CBP accepts refund claims through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system. If you use a customs broker, your broker can file the claim on your behalf. If you file directly, you will log into ACE, navigate to the refund claim section, and enter your entry numbers along with the duty amounts you paid. Attach scanned copies of your supporting documents—invoices and entry summaries are the minimum.

Submit your claim before the deadline announced by CBP. The agency typically sets a filing window of several months, but this varies by program. Check the CBP website or contact your local port of entry to confirm the current deadline for the May 11 refund program.

Where to find your entry numbers and duty information

Your entry number is the unique identifier CBP assigns to each customs entry. It appears on your entry summary (Form 3461) and on any correspondence from CBP about that shipment. If you use a customs broker, they have copies of all your entries and can provide the numbers immediately.

If you imported goods yourself, check your email for CBP notifications or entry confirmations. You can also search ACE directly if you have a user account. Log in, go to the entry search function, and filter by the date range (May 11, 2024, onward) and the tariff codes that apply to your goods.

Your duty amount is listed on the entry summary under "Total Duties, Taxes, and Fees." This is the exact figure you will claim for refund. Do not estimate or round; CBP will verify the amount against its records.

Processing time and how to check your refund status

CBP does not publish a standard processing time for tariff refunds. Most claims take between 4 and 12 weeks to process, but this depends on the volume of claims received and whether your submission is complete. Incomplete claims—missing entry numbers, unsigned forms, or unclear documentation—take longer because CBP will contact you for corrections.

To check your claim status, log into ACE and search for your entry number. The system will show whether your claim is pending, approved, or denied. You can also contact the CBP port of entry where your goods cleared customs and ask for a status update by phone or email. Have your entry numbers ready when you call.

If your claim is approved, CBP issues a refund to the importer of record. The refund is typically sent as a check mailed to the address on file, though some ports may offer electronic transfer. Allow an additional 2 to 4 weeks for the check to arrive after approval.

What happens if your claim is denied

CBP denies claims for several reasons: the goods do not fall under the covered tariff categories, the entry date falls outside the May 11 window, the importer of record is not the party filing the claim, or the documentation is incomplete or inconsistent with CBP records.

When a claim is denied, CBP sends a written notice explaining the reason. Read this notice carefully—it will tell you whether you can correct the issue and resubmit, or whether the denial is final. If the goods genuinely do not may have access to, resubmitting will not change the outcome.

If you believe the denial is incorrect, you can file a protest with CBP. A protest is a formal request for reconsideration and must be filed within 180 days of the denial notice. You will need to provide additional evidence or documentation supporting your position. Protests are handled by CBP's Office of Regulations and Rulings, and processing can take several months.

Using a customs broker to file your claim

A customs broker is a licensed professional who handles imports and customs compliance on behalf of businesses. If you already work with a broker, they can file your May 11 tariff refund claim as part of their service. Many brokers include refund filing in their standard fees, though some charge a separate fee for claims work.

To use a broker, provide them with a list of your entry numbers and the dates of your shipments. They will pull your entry records from ACE, verify the duty amounts, and file the claim. This is often faster and more accurate than filing yourself, especially if you imported many shipments during the May 11 window.

If you do not have a broker, you can search for one through the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (NCBFA) or ask your freight forwarder for a referral. Brokers charge by the hour or by the claim, so confirm the fee structure before hiring.

Tariff categories covered by the May 11 refund program

The May 11 refund covers duties paid under Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods. These tariffs apply to a wide range of products, including electronics, machinery, textiles, chemicals, and consumer goods. The exact list of covered products is long and technical, organized by Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes.

The program also covers certain steel and aluminum tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. These apply to raw steel, aluminum ingots, and certain finished steel and aluminum products imported from most countries, including China.

To determine whether your goods are covered, check the HTS codes on your commercial invoice against the CBP tariff list. CBP publishes the full list of covered codes on its website. If you are unsure whether your goods may have access to, contact CBP at your port of entry or consult your customs broker before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if I used a customs broker and do not have my entry numbers?

Yes. Contact your customs broker and ask them to provide your entry numbers and entry summaries for the May 11 period. Brokers keep copies of all entries they file, and they can retrieve this information quickly. Once you have the entry numbers, you can file the claim yourself or have the broker file it on your behalf.

What if I imported goods on May 11 itself—does that count?

Yes, goods imported on May 11, 2024, are covered by the program. The refund window begins on May 11, not May 12. Check your entry date on your entry summary to confirm whether your shipment falls within the covered period.

Do I get a refund if I passed the tariff cost to my customers?

The refund goes to the importer of record on the customs entry, regardless of who ultimately paid the tariff. If you imported the goods and paid the duty to CBP, you are may have access to to the refund even if you charged customers for the tariff cost. The refund is based on the entry record, not on your business arrangements.

How long do I have to file a claim before the deadline closes?

CBP sets a filing deadline for each tariff refund program, typically several months after the program is announced. Check the CBP website or contact your port of entry for the exact deadline for the May 11 program. Do not wait until the last week to file, because incomplete claims submitted near the deadline may not be processed in time.

What if CBP says my entry number does not exist in their system?

This usually means the entry number was entered incorrectly, or the entry was filed under a different importer of record. Double-check the entry number on your entry summary. If it matches, contact your customs broker or the freight forwarder who arranged the shipment and ask them to verify the entry was successfully filed with CBP. If the entry was never filed, you cannot claim a refund on that shipment.