As previously shared with members, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is now issuing all refunds electronically, following a federal rule published January 2, 2026. The change, which took effect February 6, 2026, eliminates paper checks and applies to all refund recipients.
CBP has already rejected more than 12,300 refund transactions due to missing or invalid banking information, so all companies are urged to make sure their account details are properly entered in the ACE Portal (Automated Commercial Environment Secure Data Portal). Without valid U.S. banking information on file, refunds cannot be processed.
Who needs to take action:
- Importers or other parties with entries liquidated on or after February 6, 2026
- Companies that have not yet enrolled for Automated Clearing House (ACH) refunds in the ACE Portal
What you need to do:
- Confirm access to the ACE Portal
- Complete ACH refund enrollment with valid U.S. banking information
- Review CBP guidance and training materials to ensure proper setup
CBP has made a range of resources available to support enrollment and troubleshooting, including step-by-step training guides, FAQs, and instructional videos covering ACE Portal access, ACH refund enrollment, and refund reporting. Members whose refunds have been rejected can also reference CBP’s replacement refund instructions for next steps.
For additional support, members may contact CBP directly at [email protected] for technical assistance or [email protected] for general inquiries.
The Toy Association will share additional information as it becomes available. Members are strongly encouraged to review all available resources and ensure their information is up to date to avoid delays in receiving refunds.