Who We Help
- Importers who re-export. If you buy from China, Vietnam, Mexico, or anywhere else and re-export to Canada, Mexico, or overseas customers, your Section 301 and Section 122 duties (25-100% on Chinese goods, 10% on most others) are recoverable.
- Manufacturers with imported components. If you import parts and export the finished product (auto parts, electronics, machinery, textiles, food products), drawback recovers duty on the imported component portion.
- Wholesalers and distributors. Rejected merchandise that gets re-exported or destroyed under CBP supervision qualifies.
- E-commerce platforms. Cross-border returns that are re-exported or destroyed can qualify under the unused merchandise drawback provisions.
What We Do
Our licensed customs broker network handles the entire drawback workflow:
- Pull your import entry data (Form 7501) from ACE or your existing broker.
- Match imports to exports or destructions using TFTEA-era substitution rules where applicable.
- Prepare CBP Form 7551 drawback entries for direct submission through the ACE Drawback module.
- Apply for accelerated payment privilege so partial refunds issue before final liquidation.
- Manage CBP communication, audit response, and any supplemental documentation requests.
- Coordinate with your accounting team on the tax treatment of recovered duty.
Pricing
Three common models in our network:
- Percentage of recovery: typically 15-30% of duty recovered. Best for first-time filers and one-off claims because there is no upfront cost.
- Flat fee per claim: $1,500-5,000 per claim depending on complexity. Best for predictable monthly drawback volume.
- Monthly retainer: for high-volume programs above $250,000-500,000 per year in recoverable duty. Includes ongoing claim preparation, audit support, and CBP relationship management.
The first consultation is always free. We’ll review your import profile and tell you whether drawback is worth pursuing before any engagement.
Get a Free Drawback Eligibility Review
Tell us about your import and export volume. We’ll review eligibility, estimate recoverable duty, and connect you with a licensed customs broker who files drawback at scale. No obligation.
Refunds this size require careful CAPE filing
CBP rejects CAPE filings for entry-mix errors, wrong tariff authority coding, bad ACH enrollment, and incorrect CSV formatting. Our network of licensed customs brokers and trade attorneys handles the entire filing — so you don't leave money on the table or get stuck behind a rejection.
Get a Free Filing Consultation →No obligation. Licensed professionals only. Typical first-call within 1 business day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is duty drawback?
Duty drawback is a US Customs program that refunds up to 99% of duties, taxes, and fees paid on imported merchandise when that merchandise is subsequently exported, destroyed, or used in manufactured articles that are exported. Authorized under 19 U.S.C. § 1313. Filed through the ACE Drawback module by licensed customs brokers.
How much does duty drawback filing cost?
Most brokers charge a percentage of recovery (typically 15-30%) or a flat fee per claim. For ongoing drawback programs above $50,000-$100,000 per year in recoverable duty, monthly retainers or capped per-entry pricing become available. Self-filing is technically possible but rarely worthwhile for new filers — drawback documentation is detail-heavy and one error can disqualify a claim.
What's the difference between drawback and IEEPA refunds?
IEEPA refunds (filed via CAPE) are a one-time refund tied to the February 2026 SCOTUS ruling and apply only to IEEPA duties paid April 2025 - February 2026. Drawback is permanent and applies to any duty (Section 232, Section 301, MFN base, IEEPA) on imports that are exported, destroyed, or used in manufactured exports. Many importers qualify for both programs in parallel.
Do I qualify for duty drawback?
If you import goods to the US and any portion of those goods (or products manufactured from them) is subsequently exported or destroyed, yes. The qualifying event must occur within 5 years of the original import entry. Common scenarios: import-and-re-export distributors, manufacturers who export finished goods made from imported components, e-commerce platforms with cross-border returns, and wholesalers who reject and re-export merchandise.
How long does it take to receive a drawback refund?
Standard drawback claims pay 6-12 months after filing for clean claims. Claims with documentation gaps go to manual review and can take 12-24 months. With accelerated payment privilege, partial payment can issue earlier. Working with an experienced broker shortens the timeline considerably because clean documentation clears automated review faster.