Where to check the status of your tariff refund

Your refund status depends on which agency collected the tariff and when you filed your claim. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) handles most tariff refunds through a system called liquidation, which is the formal process of reviewing and finalizing tariff entries. You can check the status of your claim by entering your entry number on the CBP website, or by contacting the port of entry where your goods arrived.

If you filed a protest or claim for refund, the timeline varies. CBP has up to two years from the date of liquidation to issue a decision on a protest. If you filed a claim under Section 301, 232, or 25 tariffs (the categories most people file under), the process is slower — these claims often sit in queue for months before review begins.

The fastest way to get a real answer is to call the port of entry directly. They can tell you whether your claim has been received, whether it is under review, or whether a decision has been issued. Have your entry number and the date you filed ready when you call.

Key Takeaways

  • CBP processes tariff refunds through liquidation, a formal review that can take months to years depending on the tariff category and port workload.
  • You can check status online using your entry number on the CBP website, but the port of entry can give you more detail over the phone.
  • Protests and claims have different timelines: protests must be decided within two years of liquidation, while tariff category claims often wait longer in the queue.
  • If your refund was issued, it will be sent to the importer of record or their broker, not necessarily to you directly.

How to find your entry number and port of entry

Your entry number appears on your CBP Form 3461 (the entry summary) or on any documentation your customs broker sent you. It is a nine-digit number, sometimes written with a hyphen (for example, 1234567-89). If you do not have the entry number, you can search by the date the goods arrived and the product description, but having the entry number makes the search much faster.

The port of entry is the U.S. port where your shipment physically arrived — not where you are located. If you imported by air, that is the airport. If by sea, that is the seaport. Your broker or freight forwarder can tell you which port handled your entry. Once you know the port, you can find the contact number on the CBP website under "Field Operations" or call the main CBP number and ask to be transferred to your port's entry processing unit.

What happens after CBP receives your claim

When you file a claim for refund, CBP assigns it a claim number and logs the date received. The claim then enters a queue for review. The length of this queue depends on the port, the tariff category, and current staffing. Some ports process claims in weeks; others take many months. There is no published timeline, and CBP does not send status updates unless you contact them.

Once a CBP officer begins reviewing your claim, they examine the entry documents, the tariff classification, and the legal basis for your refund request. If they need more information from you, they will send a letter requesting it. You typically have 30 days to respond. If you do not respond, the claim may be denied or closed.

If CBP approves your claim, they issue a decision letter and process a refund. The refund is sent to the importer of record listed on the entry, or to a customs broker if one was used. If you were not the importer of record, you will need to contact the importer or broker to receive your portion of the refund.

Checking status online versus calling the port

The CBP website allows you to search entry status by entry number, but the online system shows only whether an entry has been liquidated — not whether a refund claim is pending or under review. The online tool is useful for confirming that your entry was received and processed, but it will not tell you the status of a claim you filed after liquidation.

Calling the port directly gives you access to someone who can see your claim in the system and tell you whether it has been received, is under review, or has been decided. This is the only way to get a real timeline. When you call, have your entry number, the date you filed the claim, and the tariff category (Section 301, 232, or 25) ready. Ask specifically whether the claim is in queue, under review, or closed.

What to do if your refund status is unclear or delayed

If CBP cannot locate your claim or tells you it was never received, ask them to check by the date you filed and the importer name. Sometimes claims are logged under a broker's name rather than the importer's name, which can cause confusion. If the port confirms the claim was never received, you may need to file again — but first, confirm the important date has not passed. Claims must be filed within one year of the date of liquidation.

If your claim has been in queue for more than six months with no movement, you can file a congressional inquiry through your representative's office. This does not speed up the process, but it does create a record and sometimes prompts CBP to prioritize the claim. You can also contact a customs broker or trade attorney to file a more formal request for status, though this costs money.

If CBP denies your claim, they will send a written decision explaining the reason. You can appeal a denial by filing a protest with the Court of International Trade within 180 days of the denial letter. This is a formal legal process and usually requires an attorney.

How refunds are paid and who receives the money

When CBP approves a refund, the money is sent by check or electronic transfer to the importer of record. If a customs broker handled the entry, the refund may go to the broker first, and the broker then pays the importer. Check your original entry documents to see who is listed as the importer of record — that is the entity that will receive the refund check.

If you paid the tariff yourself but are not the importer of record, you will need to contact the importer or broker to request your portion of the refund. CBP does not split refunds or send money to multiple parties. The refund is a single payment to the entity listed on the entry.

Refund checks are typically mailed to the address on file with CBP. If you have moved since filing the claim, contact the port and provide your current address so the check is sent to the right place. Electronic transfers go to the bank account on file with the importer or broker.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a tariff refund?

There is no set timeline. Refunds can take anywhere from three months to two years or longer, depending on the port, the tariff category, and how many claims are in the queue ahead of yours. Section 301 and 232 claims typically take longer than standard tariff protests because they are handled differently within CBP.

Can I check my refund status without an entry number?

Yes, but it is slower. Call the port of entry and provide the date the goods arrived, the product description, and the importer name. The port can search by these details, but having the entry number makes it much faster. Your customs broker or freight forwarder can provide the entry number if you do not have it.

What if CBP says my claim was denied?

CBP will send a written decision letter explaining why. You can appeal the denial by filing a protest with the Court of International Trade within 180 days of the denial letter. This requires filing legal documents and usually involves hiring a customs attorney, which costs money.

Who gets the refund check if I paid the tariff but someone else imported the goods?

The refund goes to the importer of record listed on the entry. You will need to contact that importer or the customs broker to request your portion of the refund. CBP does not split refunds or send money to multiple parties.

What should I do if the port cannot find my claim?

Ask the port to search by the date you filed and the importer name, since claims are sometimes logged under a broker's name. If the port confirms it was never received, check whether the one-year filing important date has passed. If it has not, you can file the claim again. If it has passed, you may be out of time to file.