What's the difference between file validation and entry validation in CAPE?

File validation runs the moment you upload the .CSV. It checks that the file is well-formed: correct delimiter, exactly one entry number per row, 11-digit format, no duplicates, file size under 1 MB. If the file fails this check, the entire Declaration is rejected and nothing reaches CBP. Entry validation runs after file validation passes and CBP processes each entry against ACE. This is where the 14 error codes in this guide are returned, on a per-entry basis. A Declaration can be 'Accepted with errors' — meaning the file was good but specific entries inside it were rejected.

If a CAPE Declaration is 'Accepted with errors,' do I refile the whole thing or just the rejected entries?

Just the rejected entries. The accepted entries are locked in and cannot be resubmitted (CBP returns a duplicate-entry rejection if you try). Take the rejected-entries list from the validation result file, fix the underlying issue in ACE, and submit a new CAPE Declaration containing only the corrected entries plus any others not previously submitted. See our guide on what to do when CAPE shows accepted with errors.

How long do I have to fix and refile rejected CAPE entries?

Phase 1 has no published cutoff date for refiling. However, two practical clocks matter: (1) the 80-day reliquidation window — entries liquidated more than 80 days ago will get the ENTRY SUMMARY IS IN FINAL LIQUIDATION STATUS error and become CAPE-ineligible, and (2) the 180-day protest deadline under 19 USC § 1514, which keeps running regardless of CAPE. If your entry is rejected for a reason that takes weeks to resolve (e.g., open protest withdrawal), file a protest in parallel to preserve rights.

Where do I find the full validation result file after a CAPE Declaration is processed?

Open the CAPE tab in the ACE Portal, find your submitted Declaration in the list, and click into it. CBP returns a downloadable result file (typically a .CSV) listing each entry number with its status (Accepted / Rejected) and, for rejections, one of the 14 error codes documented in this guide. Save this file — your broker, lawyer, or CFO will need it.

Some of these error codes describe situations CBP could fix on its end (like ENTRY SUMMARY UNDER REVIEW). Will CBP move my entry through automatically?

No. CAPE will not retry rejected entries. You must monitor the underlying entry status in ACE (use ES-022 and ES-701 reports), and once the blocking condition clears — for example, an internal CBP review completes and the entry returns to Accepted status — submit a new CAPE Declaration containing that entry. The CAPE system does not maintain a queue of rejected entries waiting for state changes.

CAPE Validation Errors: All 14 CBP Error Codes Explained

You uploaded a CAPE Declaration. ACE returns a result file. Some entries are accepted; others are rejected with a cryptic error message. What does each one mean, and what’s the fix?

This guide is a complete reference to the 14 error codes CBP returns at the entry-validation stage of a CAPE filing. Source: the CBP IEEPA Duty Refunds FAQ, updated 4/15/2026 — pulled directly from cbp.gov on May 4, 2026.

Two-stage validation reminder. A CAPE submission goes through file validation first (checks the .CSV itself), then entry validation (checks each entry against ACE). The 14 codes below are returned at entry validation. If your whole Declaration is rejected before it reaches entry validation, see How to fix CAPE upload errors before you miss the Phase 1 window.

The 14 CBP Validation Error Codes

#	Error message	What it means	Fix path
1	ENTRY ON DRAWBACK	The entry is associated with a drawback claim. Drawback entries are excluded from CAPE Phase 1.	Pursue the IEEPA refund through the drawback process or via CIT litigation; see What to do if your entries are outside CAPE Phase 1.
2	ENTRY SUMMARY FLAGGED FOR RECON	The entry has been flagged for Reconciliation. Reconciliation entries are excluded from CAPE Phase 1.	Wait for Phase 2 guidance (CBP has not committed to a date), or pursue CIT litigation. Do not unflag reconciliation just to fit CAPE — the underlying reconciliation issue may matter more.
3	ENTRY SUMMARY IS CANCELLED/REJECTED	The entry summary status in ACE is not “Accepted.”	The underlying entry summary needs to be resubmitted and accepted before CAPE can process it. Contact your broker.
4	ENTRY SUMMARY IS IN FINAL LIQUIDATION STATUS	The entry was liquidated or reliquidated more than 80 days ago, so CBP can no longer voluntarily reliquidate it under 19 USC § 1501.	This entry is CAPE-ineligible. File a protest under 19 USC § 1514 within the 180-day window, and consider whether protest or CIT is the right path.
5	ENTRY SUMMARY IS IN TRADE CONTROL	The control status of the entry summary is with the trade (importer/broker), not with CBP.	The broker must release control back to CBP via ACE before CAPE can process it.
6	ENTRY SUMMARY IS SUBJECT TO COURT INJUNCTION	The entry is flagged for an active court injunction.	Coordinate with your trade-law counsel — typically the injunction must be lifted or a court order obtained.
7	ENTRY SUMMARY NOT FOUND OR ARCHIVED IN ACE	Either the entry number is wrong, or the entry has been archived out of active ACE.	Verify the entry number is correct and the format is exactly 11 characters. If the entry is genuinely archived, CBP cannot process it through CAPE; file a protest if still within 180 days of liquidation.
8	ENTRY SUMMARY PENDING LIQUIDATION OR NOT LIQUIDATED AND HAS SUSPENSION RECORD	The entry has a “Pending” or “Not Liquidated” status and an active suspension record.	The entry will be processed by CAPE — but the refund will be issued only when liquidation actually occurs (suspended status maintained). No action needed; track via ACE Report ES-022.
9	ENTRY SUMMARY UNDER REVIEW	The entry is in adjusted status because CBP is reviewing it.	Wait for the review to complete, then refile. Periodically check the entry status in ACE; when it returns to “Accepted,” resubmit on a new CAPE Declaration.
10	ENTRY TYPE NOT ALLOWED	Entry type is TIB (23), Duty Deferral (08), Reconciliation (09), or Drawback (047) — all excluded from Phase 1.	Pursue alternative paths: CIT litigation for liquidated entries, or wait for Phase 2 / specialized refund procedures.
11	GOODS VALUE AMOUNT NOT ALLOWED ON IEEPA HTS LINE	An IEEPA HTS line (9903.01.25 through 9903.01.70) has a “GDS_VAL_AMT” greater than zero — which is invalid because IEEPA Chapter 99 lines should not carry merchandise value.	Have your broker correct the underlying entry summary in ACE so the IEEPA HTS line carries duty without restating goods value.
12	NO IEEPA HTS ON ENTRY	The entry doesn’t have any HTS line in the 9903.01.25–9903.01.70 range.	This entry didn’t pay IEEPA duties and is not eligible for an IEEPA refund. Confirm by reviewing the entry summary; you may have a Section 232 or 301 claim instead, which follows a different path.
13	PROTEST ON ENTRY	The entry has an open or suspended protest. (Also returned if the protest is in Denied status with the AFR — Application for Further Review — box checked.)	Either let the protest run its course (fastest if the protest will be granted), or withdraw the protest to use CAPE; see How open protests affect your CAPE refund filing and Withdraw pending protest for CAPE eligibility.
14	STATEMENT PROCESSING NOT COMPLETE	The entry is on a periodic monthly statement that’s authorized for payment but not yet posted.	Wait until the statement payment fully processes (usually within days), then refile. Check with your broker for the exact statement number and posting status.
—	UNABLE TO CALCULATE DUTY	A line on the entry fails CBP’s duty validation. This is a generic catch-all for math/data inconsistencies.	The broker must work with CBP to correct the entry data. Sometimes triggered by missing classification data or inconsistent quantity/value combinations.

The Three Most Common Rejections (and Quickest Fixes)

Based on early importer reports and the 19% entry-validation reject rate cited in the April 28 CIT order, these three error codes drive the bulk of rejections:

1. PROTEST ON ENTRY (Code 13)

By far the most-discussed rejection in trade circles. If you filed a protest in the 11 months between the May 2025 CIT decision and the April 2026 CAPE launch, that protest is now blocking CAPE. Decide:

Withdraw the protest if it was a placeholder filed only to preserve rights. CAPE then becomes available, and you skip the protest queue.
Keep the protest if it raises issues CAPE doesn’t address (interest disputes, related-party valuation, etc.).

See our companion guide: Withdraw pending protest for CAPE eligibility.

2. ENTRY SUMMARY IS IN FINAL LIQUIDATION STATUS (Code 4)

This is the most painful rejection because there’s no fix inside CAPE. The 80-day window has closed, and CBP has lost statutory authority to voluntarily reliquidate. Your options:

Protest within 180 days of liquidation under 19 USC § 1514 — the clock keeps running independent of CAPE.
CIT lawsuit — for high-value entries past the protest window, this may be the only path.

Read CAPE, Protest, or CIT — which path fits your entries before choosing.

3. ENTRY TYPE NOT ALLOWED (Code 10)

If your IEEPA-bearing entries used types 08, 09, 23, or 047, Phase 1 is closed to you. CBP has not announced a Phase 2 schedule. Don’t sit and wait — file CIT-track preparation now if the dollar amounts are material.

How to Read Your Validation Result File

When CBP returns the result file (downloadable from the CAPE tab in ACE):

Filter the rejected rows. They will carry one of the 14 error codes above.
Group by error code. This tells you whether you have a systemic problem (e.g., 200 entries all rejected for PROTEST ON ENTRY → you have a portfolio-wide protest decision to make) or scattered issues.
For each group, decide the fix path using the table above.
Build the next Declaration’s input from rows that you’ve now corrected, plus any entries you originally couldn’t include (e.g., entries that were Pending and have since liquidated within the 80-day window).
Don’t resubmit accepted entries. They will fail with a duplicate-rejection error.

What CBP Hasn’t Said (as of May 4, 2026)

The official CBP IEEPA FAQ was last updated 4/17/2026. The April 28 CIT order required CBP to publish additional guidance — including on the validation process — but no FAQ update has posted, and the official CSMS RSS feed shows no new CAPE messages between May 2 and May 4, 2026. If a 15th error code appears in your result file, it likely means CBP added one quietly. Document the exact text and contact your customs attorney; CAPE Portal Guide will update this reference when CBP publishes more.

Action Checklist

Open the CAPE tab in ACE and download the validation result file for every Declaration you’ve submitted.
Filter rejected rows; group by error code.
Cross-reference each error against the table above.
For Code 13 (PROTEST ON ENTRY) — decide withdraw vs. keep, per portfolio.
For Code 4 (FINAL LIQUIDATION STATUS) — calendar the 180-day protest deadline for each affected entry.
For Codes 5, 8, 9, 14 — schedule a 7-day re-check; status changes are common.
Build a “next Declaration” worksheet of corrected entries + new entries not yet submitted.
If your reject rate is over 25%, consider engaging a customs broker or trade lawyer to audit your filing process before you submit again.

How to submit a CAPE Declaration in the ACE Portal — step-by-step filing
How to fix CAPE upload errors before you miss the Phase 1 window — file-level errors
What to do when CAPE shows accepted with errors — partial acceptance
CAPE, Protest, or CIT — which path fits your entries — choosing the recovery channel

Disclaimer: CAPE Portal Guide is not a law firm. Error-code definitions reproduced here come from the public CBP IEEPA Duty Refunds FAQ as of May 4, 2026. CBP may add, remove, or revise error codes at any time. For binding advice on whether to withdraw a protest, file a CIT case, or refile a CAPE Declaration, consult a licensed customs attorney. Request a free assessment for an introduction to a vetted trade-law professional.