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CBP ACE Importer Portal & ACH Refund Webinar Summary

Posted on: January 30, 2026

CBP recently held its second webinar outlining the upcoming ACE Importer Portal account requirement for ACH refunds, which will take effect on February 6, 2026. With more than 1,400 participants in attendance, CBP addressed common questions related to account setup, user roles, and authorization requirements. Below are the key takeaways for importers.

 

Key Points

  • Implementation Date: 
    • The ACE Importer Portal ACH refund requirement goes into effect February 6, 2026.
  • ACE Importer Portal Account Setup - Email Requirements:
    • Form 5106 must include the correct email address for the individual setting up the ACE Importer Portal.
    • Only one email address is permitted on the form.
    • If the email from the account setup and form 5106 do not match, the verification code will not be issued, and the importer will not be able to setup the account
    • Importers should work with their broker to verify or update the email address on file.
    • CBP noted this requirement serves as a "fail-safe" to prevent unauthorized account setup.
    • If importers do not have a CBP 5106 for on file or have questions about submitting the form they should email  bondquestions@cbp.dhs.gov
  • ACE User Roles & Permissions: 
    • Only the Trade Account Owner (TAO) has full access, including:
      • ACH Refund Authorization
      • Adding notify parties
      • Granting proxy user permissions
    • Proxy and account users have limited access and must be enabled by the TAO.
    • Missing features typically indicate a permissions issue that requires action by the TAO or ACE Support.
    • TAOs may create multiple importer subaccounts when more than one Importer of Record (IOR) is associated with the account.
  • Form 4811 - Notify Party Authorization: 
    • The TAO must submit CBP Form 4811 to authorize a broker or third party to receive ACH refunds or refund-related notifications.
    • Importers with an existing Form 4811 on file do not need to resubmit but are strongly encouraged to verify that the notify party is properly set up for ACH refunds.
  • ACH Banking Information: 
    • Many setup errors are caused by incorrect ACH bank or routing information.
    • CBP recommends confirming ACH details directly with your bank.
  • Final Webinar: 

 

Overall, the session was well presented and provided valuable clarification on the ACE Importer Portal and ACH refund requirements. We appreciate CBP's efforts to provide training and assistance with the process. CBP did not there is a backlog with email requests and advised to call ACE support for a faster response. Should you have any questions on this topic, please reach out.