IEEPA Tariff Refunds/CAPE System Update: US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues to refine and share guidance on the IEEPA tariff refund process. The latest update that we circulated earlier this week provided a summary of the available reports for tracking refunds and identifying rejections. Direct filers can choose specific reports to review or automate report delivery based on timing preferences. For those working with brokers or third parties, you may wish to communicate with your filers regarding which reports are most relevant to your needs. Please find a summary of CBP’s message on these available reports below:

CBP announced the launch of the CAPE tool in the ACE Portal on April 20, 2026, to simplify the submission and processing of valid IEEPA duty refund requests. Approved refunds will be issued by the U.S. Treasury via ACH beginning as early as May 12, 2026. To help the trade community monitor CAPE submissions and refund activity, CBP introduced several ACE Reports, including reports for tracking refund statuses, rejected ACH refunds, and detailed CAPE refund information. CBP also encourages users to schedule recurring reports for efficiency and provides additional resources and support contacts for ACE Reports and IEEPA refund questions. WSSA can assist with both the IEEPA process and Protest filings, please contact us for more information. Additionally, the CIT held a closed-door hearing on April 28, during which Customs provided updates on the CAPE system and IEEPA refunds. Customs indicated that the first refund is expected to be issued around May 11, 2026. The full declaration is available here. The next update is scheduled for May 12, 2026.

Recap: Trump Announced Rollback on Scotch Whisky Tariffs: Last week Donald Trump announced plans to remove certain U.S. tariffs on Scotch whisky following the recent visit by the UK’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The tariffs had contributed to trade tensions and declining exports between the U.S. and UK, and their removal is expected to support the spirits industry on both sides. Details on the scope and timing of the tariff rollback have not yet been fully clarified, but we will provide updates as they become available.

Tariff Landscape Update: The Court of International Trade (CIT) issued an opinion on Thursday May 7 citing the current Section 122 tariffs imposed by the President after the IEEPA tariffs were ruled to be illegal are also unlawful. While the ruling is limited to particular companies involved in the case, it bodes well for potential rollback and refund of these tariffs should the case follow a similar path as the IEEPA tariffs. The Administration will most likely appeal the CIT ruling and the case will then move to the Federal Court of Appeals, and if upheld, it could move on to the Supreme Court.   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.  The US Wine Trade Association will be testifying tomorrow as to why tariffs are detrimental to USA wine business and the overall hospitality industry. The current plan of the Trump administration is to roll out the Section 301 tariffs at similar levels to the IEEPA tariffs when the Section 122 tariffs expire on July 24. We will keep you updated on all of these developments.

Transatlantic Blank Sailings:  The Ocean/Premier Alliance has announced multiple blank (cancelled) sailings in the next 6 weeks from both Mediterranean and North Europe strings. This alliance include CMA, OOCL, COSCO, Evergreen, and ONE shipping lines. Please be prepared for some delays when utilizing these carriers.  

Join WSSA at the AgTC Annual Meeting! Kick off AgTC 2026 May 18^th-21^st with the WSSA team for our annual WSSA-AGTC run/walk. Participants can enjoy a fast and furious run, an easy jog, or a slow and leisurely walk to catch the early morning view. All are welcome – fast or leisurely, we’ll all finish in 30 minutes. There is still time to register for this year’s annual meeting and join us for the morning run. Click here to book 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!