RESOURCES — CSMS REFERENCE
Reading the CBP CSMS Trail: Your IEEPA Refund Roadmap
When CBP changes how IEEPA tariff refunds and CAPE Phase 1 work, those changes show up first in Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) bulletins. This index decodes every IEEPA- and CAPE-related CSMS message in plain English, with the action each one requires. We update it as new messages are issued.
Last updated: May 3, 2026
How to use this page
- Each card lists one CSMS message with its number, issue date, plain-English summary, and the concrete action it requires.
- Direct links to the CBP-hosted bulletin are provided where available, plus our own deeper analyses on related topics.
- Messages are sorted newest first. The most recent CAPE operational guidance is at the top.
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CSMS #68340863
Update
UPDATE — CAPE Implementation Guidance for IEEPA Refunds
Updates and supersedes CSMS #68315804. Confirms that CBP will perform mass processing on all accepted CAPE entry summaries, recalculating duties as if IEEPA tariffs were never owed. Sets the 45-day liquidation clock from CAPE Declaration acceptance, defines refund consolidation by IOR + liquidation date into one lump sum, and confirms refunds are issued only via ACH within an expected 60–90 day window after acceptance.
What this means for importers
- Confirm your IOR (or designated 4811 party) is enrolled for ACH refunds — refunds will not be issued by check.
- If you filed a protest solely for an IEEPA refund and the entry is within 80 days of liquidation, consider withdrawing the protest and adding the entry to a CAPE Declaration for faster processing.
- Do not attempt to claim IEEPA refunds via Post Summary Correction (PSC) — this is explicitly prohibited.
- Track your claim through ACE Reports ES-022 (claim status) and ES-701 (reliquidation + interest detail).
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CSMS #68315804
Guidance
Initial CAPE Declaration Guidance for Consolidated IEEPA Refunds
CBP's first formal CSMS describing the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) Declaration functionality inside the ACE portal. Establishes that CAPE is the required mechanism for requesting consolidated IEEPA refunds (regardless of whether a CIT complaint has also been filed), defines account eligibility (Importer, Filer, Organizational Broker), and outlines the CSV upload format, validation rules, and excluded entry types (Duty Deferral 08, Reconciliation 09, TIB 23, Drawback 47, and Reconciliation-flagged entries).
What this means for importers
- Confirm whether your account type (Importer, Filer, or Organizational Broker) has the CAPE function enabled in ACE.
- For Filer/Organizational Broker accounts, verify the first three characters of every entry number match your Filer Code, and the IOR on the account matches the IOR on each entry summary.
- Audit your candidate entries — only entries with status "Accepted" and Control Status "CBP" can be submitted, and every entry must contain at least one IEEPA HTS code.
- Exclude any entry that is a Duty Deferral, Reconciliation, TIB, or Drawback type, and any entry flagged for Reconciliation.
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CSMS #67834313
Operational
Cessation of IEEPA Tariff Collections
Confirms that effective February 24, 2026, CBP stopped collecting IEEPA tariffs on entries from Canada, China, Mexico, and certain Venezuelan-oil-importing countries. Issued in response to the February 20, 2026 Supreme Court decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump and the corresponding executive order ending IEEPA tariff actions. This message did not address the refund process for tariffs already paid — that came later, with CSMS #68315804 and #68340863.
What this means for importers
- Verify that no IEEPA duties (HTS subheadings 9903.01.25 through 9903.01.70) have been assessed on any entry made on or after February 24, 2026.
- If your entries on or after this date show IEEPA charges, contact your customs broker immediately — these should not be collected.
- For entries made between February 1, 2025 and February 23, 2026, the refund process is governed by the CAPE-related CSMS messages above (not this one).
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CSMS #67823350
Notice
Notification of Supreme Court Ruling on IEEPA Tariffs
CBP's first official acknowledgement of the February 20, 2026 Supreme Court decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump (6-3), which held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the imposition of tariffs. This message notified the trade community of the ruling and previewed forthcoming guidance on cessation of collection and refund mechanics.
What this means for importers
- Treat this CSMS as the legal "trigger event" for your refund timeline — protest deadlines for affected entries run 180 days from liquidation, not from this notice.
- Begin assembling your entry-by-entry IEEPA exposure data so you can act quickly once the CAPE process opens.
- Confirm with your trade counsel whether your entries are best pursued via CAPE, protest, CIT litigation, or a combination.
Stay current as new CSMS messages are released
CBP typically issues new CSMS bulletins with little advance notice. The most reliable way to stay current is to subscribe directly through the CBP GovDelivery system, then bookmark this page for the plain-English breakdown.
Frequently asked questions about CSMS messages
What is a CBP CSMS message?
CSMS stands for Cargo Systems Messaging Service. It is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) email and bulletin channel that announces operational changes affecting importers, brokers, filers, and other trade users. CSMS messages are the most authoritative day-to-day source for changes in entry processing, refund mechanics, and ACE functionality. Each message has a unique numeric ID (for example, CSMS #68340863).
Where can I subscribe to CSMS messages directly from CBP?
You can subscribe at https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/subscriber/new. CBP offers topic-specific subscriptions; for IEEPA and CAPE updates, subscribe to "ACE Portal Account" and "Trade Policy Updates" categories. New messages are delivered by email, usually the same business day they are issued.
Why is CSMS #68340863 important for my IEEPA refund?
CSMS #68340863 (April 13, 2026) is CBP's most current operational guidance on the CAPE Declaration process. It confirms the 60–90 day refund window, the ACH-only payment method, the rules for withdrawing protests in favor of CAPE, and the prohibition on using Post Summary Corrections (PSCs) for IEEPA refunds. If you are filing or evaluating a CAPE Declaration, this message defines what CBP will and will not accept.
Do CSMS messages have the force of law?
CSMS messages are administrative notices, not regulations. They describe how CBP will operate within existing laws and regulations. While they are not themselves legally binding in the way a regulation is, they reliably indicate how CBP will process your entries and refunds. Trade counsel and brokers treat them as the practical operating manual for ACE-based processes such as CAPE.
What should I do if a CSMS message conflicts with what my broker is telling me?
CSMS messages are CBP's official position. If your broker's practice diverges from a CSMS, ask the broker to reconcile their process with the cited message. If the conflict is material — for example, regarding eligibility, validation rules, or refund timing — consult a licensed customs attorney before submitting a CAPE Declaration or protest.