U.S. Tariff Refunds Are Now Open: How Global Sellers Can Claim Refunds and Receive Funds Through Payoneer

If your business paid U.S. import tariffs, you may be entitled to a refund — and many global sellers may not be aware of this possibility.

As of April 20, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that it began accepting certain refund applications for previously paid tariffs through the ACE Portal.

The opportunity is significant. Based on global news sources:

• Over 300,000 businesses may be eligible 
• Total refunds are estimated at $134B–$166B globally 
• Many cross-border sellers may have paid these tariffs directly without realizing they can now recover them 

But many businesses are running into one major issue: refunds are typically issued via U.S. domestic bank transfer rails. To receive funds directly from CBP, businesses generally need U.S. receiving account details.

Many non-U.S. businesses don’t have this set up.

That’s where Payoneer comes in. Eligible businesses may be able to use Payoneer’s USD receiving accounts to receive U.S. tariff refunds directly, subject to Payoneer’s terms, eligibility requirements, and applicable laws, without having to open a traditional U.S. bank account.

Who may be eligible?

You may want to review your potential eligibility if:

• Your business directly paid U.S. import tariffs
• You shipped goods to the U.S. under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms, where the seller is typically responsible for duties, taxes, and shipping costs
• You acted as the Importer of Record (IOR)
• Your freight forwarder or customs broker is not already managing refunds on your behalf

This may be particularly relevant for cross-border eCommerce sellers. For example: Some online marketplaces may structure shipping and import responsibilities differently, depending on the seller’s setup and contractual terms. This means many global sellers may have directly paid tariffs and could be eligible for refunds.

Who may not be eligible?

You may not be eligible if:

• Your U.S. buyer or importer paid the tariffs 
• Your freight forwarder is already handling refund claims 
• Your customs broker has already submitted claims on your behalf 

Because trade structures vary, we recommend confirming eligibility with your freight forwarder, customs broker, or logistics provider before applying.

How Payoneer may help eligible businesses receive approved refunds

Once a refund is approved by the relevant authority, businesses also need a reliable way to receive funds.

Refund payouts are typically issued through U.S. domestic bank transfer rails, which creates friction for many global businesses that don’t have access to U.S. receiving account details.

With Payoneer, eligible businesses can:

• Receive U.S. tariff refunds where permitted without opening a traditional U.S. bank account
• Access USD receiving account details designed for eligible global businesses
• Avoid relying on third parties to collect refunds on their behalf
• Use refunded funds in accordance with Payoneer’s terms, including paying suppliers or managing cash flow

For businesses recovering significant tariff payments, having the right payout infrastructure in place can help ensure funds are received quickly and directly.

What businesses should do next

If you believe your business may be eligible for a tariff refund, here’s how to get started:

1. Confirm whether you’re eligible

Check whether your business directly paid U.S. import duties. This often applies to businesses that:

• Shipped under DDP (Delivered duty paid) terms 
• Acted as the Importer of Record (IOR) 
• Handled duties directly rather than through a U.S. buyer 

If you’re unsure, speak with your freight forwarder, customs broker, or logistics partner.

2. Check whether someone is already managing your refund

Some logistics providers or customs brokers may already be helping customers file claims. Confirm whether:

• They’re submitting on your behalf 
• Additional fees apply 
• You need to provide your own payout details 

3. Prepare a way to receive your refund

CBP issues refunds only via U.S. domestic bank transfers (ACH).
A Payoneer USD receiving account has the details for a U.S. bank account and can be used to receive these funds. There are already cases where international sellers have successfully received refunds via Payoneer.

Check if you already have USD receiving account:

1. Log in to Payoneer
2. Go to Get Paid→ Receiving Accounts
3. If “USD (United States)” appears, it is available for use

If you do not have one: You can request USD receiving account directly from your Payoneer account by selecting Add a new receiving account → USD (United States)

Please note: Registering a bank account alone does not trigger a refund.
A CAPE application must be submitted through CBP’s ACE system by the Importer of Record (IOR) or a licensed customs broker. Working with a customs broker is strongly recommended.

4. Submit your refund claim through the appropriate channel

This may be through:

• CBP’s ACE Portal 
• Your customs broker 
• Your freight forwarder 
• Another approved filing partner 

5. Monitor your refund status

Processing timelines vary depending on CBP and other factors. Online estimates suggest approximately 60–90 days. Some customers may see deposits labeled as: TREAS 310

Don’t leave refund money unclaimed

If your business paid U.S. tariffs, this could be an opportunity to recover capital that’s already yours. The earlier you confirm eligibility and prepare your receiving account details, the faster you can apply.

Disclaimer: This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or customs advice. Eligibility for U.S. tariff refunds, application requirements, approval decisions, processing timelines, and payout methods are determined solely by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other relevant authorities.
Payoneer does not provide customs, trade, or refund filing services and is not involved in the submission, review, or approval of tariff refund claims. Payoneer may provide eligible customers with payment services to receive approved funds, subject to Payoneer’s terms, eligibility requirements, and applicable laws.
Businesses should consult their customs broker, freight forwarder, logistics provider, or professional advisors to confirm eligibility and understand applicable requirements before applying.