Where to find your tariff refund tracker

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office that collected your tariff duties maintains the only official record of your refund. There is no single national tracker that shows all refunds across all ports. Instead, you track through the port where your goods entered the country, using your entry number and the CBP's Port of Entry system.

Start at the CBP website and locate the specific port that processed your shipment. Each port maintains its own refund status database. You will need your entry number (a nine-digit code assigned when your goods cleared customs) and your importer number or company name. The port's automated system will show whether your refund request was received, is under review, has been approved, or has been paid.

If you used a customs broker to handle your entry, contact them first. They often have direct access to port systems and can pull your status faster than you can navigate the CBP website yourself. Your broker's file should also contain your entry number if you do not have it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your tariff refund is tracked through the specific port where your goods entered, not through a central government database.
  • You will need your entry number (nine digits) and either your importer number or company name to check status.
  • The CBP Port of Entry system shows whether your refund request was received, is under review, approved, or paid.
  • A customs broker can often pull your status faster and may have your entry number on file if you do not.
  • Refund processing times vary by port and complexity, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days after approval.

Finding your entry number

Your entry number is the key to tracking. It appears on your bill of lading, your customs entry paperwork, and any correspondence from CBP about your shipment. If you imported through a broker, check the invoice or email confirmation they sent you after clearance.

If you cannot locate it, contact the port directly with your shipment details: the date it arrived, the shipper's name, the product description, and the value. Port staff can search their records and provide the entry number. This step usually takes one business day by phone or email.

How to check status on the CBP website

Go to the CBP Ports of Entry page and select the port where your goods entered. Most ports offer an online query system where you enter your entry number. The system will display the current status of your refund request and, if approved, the expected payment date.

Some ports require you to call or email instead of using an online system. Check the port's specific instructions before you search. Have your entry number, importer number, and the date of entry ready when you contact them.

The online systems are usually updated within one business day of any status change. If you checked yesterday and saw "under review," checking again today may show "approved" or "payment processed."

What each status means

Received: CBP has logged your refund request but has not yet assigned it for review. This is the first status you will see after submission.

Under Review: A CBP officer is examining your documentation to verify that the tariff was paid in error and that your refund claim is valid. This stage can take 15 to 45 days depending on the complexity of your case and the port's workload.

Approved: CBP has determined your refund is valid. The port is now processing payment. This stage typically takes 15 to 30 days, though some ports are faster.

Payment Processed: Your refund has been issued. The money is on its way to the bank account or address you provided on your claim form. Delivery takes 5 to 10 business days after this status appears.

Denied: CBP has rejected your claim. The status page should include a reason. You have the right to file a protest with CBP or pursue the claim in the Court of International Trade, but both routes require specific documentation and deadlines.

Timeframes for refund payment

After CBP approves your refund, payment does not arrive immediately. The port must process the refund through the Treasury Department's payment system, which adds another 15 to 30 days. Some ports are faster; others slower. A port's speed depends on staffing, the volume of refund requests, and whether your case required extra review.

Once payment is processed, delivery takes 5 to 10 business days if you provided a bank account, or 10 to 15 business days if CBP is mailing a check. If you provided a bank account, the money will appear as a deposit from the U.S. Treasury.

Total time from submission to payment in your account typically ranges from 30 to 90 days. Simpler cases (clear overpayment, complete documentation) move faster. Complex cases (disputed classification, missing paperwork) can take longer.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If your refund has been approved for more than 30 days and you have not received payment, contact the port by phone or email. Provide your entry number and ask for a payment status update. The port can tell you whether the refund is still in the payment queue or whether there is a hold.

If the port says the refund was processed but you have not received it after 15 business days, check with your bank. The deposit may have been rejected due to an incorrect account number or a closed account. If your bank has no record of the deposit, ask the port to verify the account information you provided on your claim form.

If the port cannot locate your refund or says it was processed but cannot provide a payment date, request a supervisor review. Document the date you submitted your claim, the entry number, and the dates you contacted the port. Keep copies of all correspondence.

If your refund was denied

A denial notice will include the reason CBP rejected your claim. Common reasons are: the tariff was not actually paid in error, the goods were correctly classified, the claim was filed after the deadline, or documentation was incomplete or contradictory.

You have two paths forward. First, you can file a protest with CBP within 180 days of the denial. A protest is a formal written challenge that asks CBP to reconsider. It requires detailed documentation and a clear explanation of why you believe CBP made an error. Many importers hire a customs attorney for this step.

Second, you can file a lawsuit in the Court of International Trade within two years of the denial. This is more expensive and time-consuming than a protest, but it may be necessary if CBP's decision was clearly wrong or if a protest was denied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track my refund if I used a customs broker?

Yes, but your broker can usually pull the status faster. Ask them for your entry number and request a status check. If they cannot or will not help, you can track it yourself using the port's system, but you may need your importer number instead of a company name.

What if I do not have my entry number?

Contact the port directly with your shipment details: arrival date, shipper name, product description, and value. Port staff can search their records and provide the entry number. This usually takes one business day.

How long does it take to go from approved to payment in my account?

After approval, expect 15 to 30 days for the port to process payment through the Treasury system, plus 5 to 10 business days for the money to reach your bank account. Total is usually 20 to 40 days after approval.

Can I call the port directly to ask about my refund?

Yes. Find the port's phone number on the CBP website. Have your entry number ready. Port staff can tell you the current status and, if there is a delay, may be able to escalate your case.

What happens if my refund was denied and I disagree?

You can file a protest with CBP within 180 days of the denial, or file a lawsuit in the Court of International Trade within two years. Both require detailed documentation. Many importers consult a customs attorney before pursuing either option.