IEEPA Tariff Refund Process Recap: As of Monday, April 20, 2026, importers and customs brokers are now able to submit refund requests through the ACE Portal by uploading a CSV file—referred to as a CAPE Declaration—via a new CAPE tab available in Importer, Organizational Broker, and Filer accounts. Submissions cannot be made any other way other than in the ACE portal. Once filed, the CAPE system will validate the entries and provide feedback. As this is Phase 1 of the process, not all entries can be submitted and if you need more details on the Phase 1 allowable entries, let us know. For valid claims, ACE will update the relevant entry summaries by removing IEEPA-related HTS Chapter 99 duties and recalculating the total duties owed. Following CBP review, entries will be liquidated or reliquidated, and approved refunds will be issued, consolidated by recipient and liquidation date. The portal allows for tracking of the filings and documents successful transmissions and errors. We have been advised that some errors can be easily fixed and entries can be resubmitted, while others can be more complicated to resolve. To help with the onboarding of this new process, CBP has hosted a number of webinars, and will host one more on April 28^th. Registration is first-come, first-serve, and if you would like details on how to sign up, please feel free to reach out.

We have no information yet on the launch date for Phase 2. Thus, for entries that are 80 days past the liquidation date, the option to Protest these entries to avoid final liquidation remains a viable avenue to insure that these entries are eligible. If you would like more information on Phase 2 or the Protest option, please let us know. WSSA is offering services to assist clients in the IEEPA process, so please reach out if you would like information about how we can help!  

Tariff Landscape Summary: Section 122 tariffs imposed by President Trump currently remain at 10% despite indications they could rise to 15%, while the U.S. administration has also initiated multiple Section 301 investigations that may lead to additional tariffs; following a public comment period that closed April 15, WSSA joined the Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition—representing 58 alcohol and hospitality groups—in urging the USTR to exempt wine and spirits, citing risks to jobs, exports, and an already strained hospitality sector facing inflation, weak demand, and declining exports, particularly to Canada. At the same time, updates to Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum have adjusted product coverage and valuation methods, removing some derivative products, lowering tariffs for certain goods, and increasing them for others based on full sales value; notably, beer imported in cans is no longer subject to Section 232 tariffs on aluminum content, though it is now fully subject to the 10% Section 122 tariff.

Disruption at San Antonio Port: Operations at DP World terminal in San Antonio, Chile, were temporarily suspended earlier this week following a strike called by the terminal’s stevedores’ union. Activities were halted Wednesday afternoon and remained suspended Thursday, preventing the normal development of port operations. According to our partners in Chile, the strike has now concluded, and all terminal operations are functioning normally for today. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.  

Government Shutdown Update: The US remains in a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security, now lasting over two months. The Senate expects the budget resolution to be passed this week, and we will keep tabs on that possibility. We will continue to provide updates as soon as available.  

Space is Still Available for WSSA’s Annual California Event! Join WSSA for a business meeting and luncheon discussing the latest updates within the wine and spirits and logistics industries, followed by a guided harbor cruise showcasing the Port of Oakland. The event will take place May 8, 2026, with the business meeting at the Claremont Resort & Club from 12-3:30pm and the Harbor Cruise Tour from 4:30-7:30pm. Topics include updates on the global logistics market, discussion on IEEPA and tariff mitigation, and expertise on duty drawback. RSVP to hrandolph@wssa.com to reserve your spot!

LCL Services from France, Italy, and Spain/Portugal: Bi-monthly departures continue from each of these countries for your small shipments, offering a per case rate from point of pick up to the Alba Wine and Spirits warehouse in Edison New Jersey. Shipments from other European countries can be added into the mix, with pick-ups offered in most European countries. Please let us know if you need any further information!