What is a tariff refund advance?

A tariff refund advance is a financing arrangement where a capital provider advances a percentage of your pending CBP duty refund claim before the U.S. Treasury issues payment. Pilothouse advances up to 75% LTV on IEEPA Section 9903 tariff refund claims, wired within 2–3 weeks of signing the facilitated advance agreement.

Can importers get a business loan against their tariff refund?

Yes. U.S. importers can obtain a business cash advance or working capital loan secured against their pending IEEPA Section 9903 CBP tariff refund. Pilothouse structures these as facilitated advances — not traditional bank loans — allowing faster approval and funding without traditional credit underwriting. Advances are available from $500,000 to $50 million+.

What is import business financing and how does it work?

Import business financing provides working capital to U.S. importers by advancing funds against trade receivables, pending government refunds, or inventory. Pilothouse specializes in a unique form of import financing: advancing against CBP tariff refund claims. This means importers receive immediate liquidity — typically 75% of their estimated refund — without waiting 6–12 months for the U.S. Treasury to process payment.

How do I get IEEPA tariff refund financing?

To get IEEPA tariff refund financing through Pilothouse: (1) Upload your ACE Entry Summary CSV for a free A³ audit, (2) receive a 48-hour term sheet showing your advance amount, (3) sign the facilitated advance agreement, and (4) receive your wire transfer within 2–3 weeks. Licensed Customs Broker partners file CBP Form 19 protests to secure your entries.

What is the 180-day protest deadline for IEEPA tariff refunds?

Under 19 U.S.C. § 1514, importers have 180 days from the date of liquidation to file a CBP Form 19 administrative protest. If your customs entries finalized more than 180 days ago and no protest has been filed, your refund rights are permanently forfeited. Pilothouse's Licensed Customs Broker partners file protective protests immediately to secure your entries before the deadline.

What is Section 9903 tariff refund?

Section 9903 refers to Chapter 99 HTS sub-headings under which IEEPA tariffs were collected — including 9903.88.XX (China IEEPA), 9903.01.XX (Section 232 Steel), 9903.45.XX (Aluminum), and 9903.91.XX (Canada/Mexico). Following the Supreme Court ruling in Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump, CBP is required to refund these duties. Importers of record who paid these duties are eligible for refunds.

How much can I get in a tariff refund advance?

Pilothouse's capital provider network advances up to 75% LTV (loan-to-value) on your estimated CBP refund amount, including CBP statutory interest under 19 U.S.C. § 1505(c). For example, a $1,000,000 estimated refund could yield a $750,000 advance, wired within 2–3 weeks. Use the free Refund Estimator on our site to calculate your specific advance amount.

What is CBP duty refund financing?

CBP duty refund financing is a form of receivables financing where a capital provider advances funds against a pending U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) duty refund. Because CBP refunds are backed by the U.S. government, they are considered high-quality receivables. Pilothouse structures these advances as facilitated agreements through its capital provider network, not as direct loans.

Is a tariff refund advance the same as a business cash advance?

A tariff refund advance is similar to a merchant cash advance or business cash advance, but instead of being secured against future credit card sales or revenue, it is secured against a specific, government-backed CBP duty refund receivable. This makes it lower risk and typically faster to fund than traditional MCAs or business loans.

What is trade receivables financing for importers?

Trade receivables financing for importers involves advancing cash against outstanding receivables — in this case, pending U.S. government tariff refunds. Pilothouse's program is specifically designed for importers who have paid IEEPA Section 9903 duties and are waiting for CBP to process their refunds through the CAPE system. The advance bridges the liquidity gap while the government processes the refund.

Do I need a customs broker to get a tariff refund advance?

You do not need to hire your own customs broker. Pilothouse works with a network of licensed customs brokers (LCBs) who handle CBP Form 19 protest filings on your behalf as part of the advance process. However, the advance itself is structured by Pilothouse's capital provider network and does not require a broker to initiate.

What is the CAPE system and when will CBP pay tariff refunds?

The CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) system is CBP's new portal being built to process IEEPA tariff refunds. CBP has confirmed CAPE Phase 1 will be operational by late April 2026, with mass disbursements expected 4–6 months after that. Pilothouse advances funds now — before CAPE pays — so importers don't have to wait 6–12 months for their money.

Is the CBP CAPE portal open yet?

As of March 2026, the CBP CAPE portal is not yet open for importer submissions. CBP has declared to the Court of International Trade that CAPE Phase 1 is targeted for late April 2026. Phase 1 will allow importers to submit refund claims. Mass processing and disbursement is expected 4–9 months after Phase 1 launch. Pilothouse provides advance funding now so importers do not have to wait.

What is ACH enrollment for CBP tariff refunds?

ACH (Automated Clearing House) enrollment is a mandatory requirement for receiving IEEPA tariff refunds from CBP. As of March 2026, CBP no longer issues paper checks — all refunds are disbursed via electronic ACH transfer directly to the importer's bank account. Importers must enroll their bank account in the ACE Secure Data Portal under 'Bank Information for Electronic Refunds' before CBP will process any payment. Pilothouse includes ACH enrollment coordination as part of its advance service.

How do I use the ACE portal to check my tariff refund status?

The ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) Secure Data Portal is CBP's primary trade processing system. Importers can log in at ace.cbp.dhs.gov to view entry summaries, check liquidation status, and manage ACH bank enrollment. To identify IEEPA-eligible entries, export your Entry Summary report and filter for HTS codes beginning with 9903. Pilothouse's free A³ scanner can analyze your ACE CSV export and identify all eligible entries automatically.

What is CBP Form 4811 and do I need it?

CBP Form 4811 (Acceptance of Refund Check) is used when an importer designates a third party to receive a CBP refund on their behalf. Under 31 U.S.C. § 3727, direct assignment of federal refunds before issuance is prohibited, so Pilothouse structures all IEEPA advances as secured bridge loans — not refund assignments. Form 4811 may be relevant after the refund is issued. Pilothouse's team will guide you through the correct documentation for your specific situation.

Can I get working capital while waiting for my IEEPA refund?

Yes. Pilothouse connects U.S. importers with capital providers who advance working capital secured against pending IEEPA Section 9903 tariff refund claims. This is ideal for importers who need immediate liquidity to fund operations, inventory, or supply chain costs while waiting 6–12 months for CBP to process refunds through the CAPE system. Advances range from $500,000 to $50 million+ with funding in 2–3 weeks.

What is the difference between a tariff refund advance and a business loan?

A tariff refund advance is secured specifically against a pending U.S. government CBP duty refund receivable, making it faster and easier to obtain than a traditional business loan. Traditional business loans require credit history, financial statements, and collateral. A tariff refund advance is underwritten primarily on the strength of your CBP refund claim — the government-backed receivable serves as the primary collateral. Pilothouse structures these as facilitated advances through its capital provider network, not as bank loans.

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