What Interest Rate Will Be Used for IEEPA Refunds? Process, Interest, and Who Qualifies

The interest rate used for IEEPA refunds is not a generic consumer refund rate. It is statutory duty-refund interest, calculated under the customs/tax framework that applies to excess duties and tied to the quarterly IRS rate structure referenced in the sources, rather than a single permanent percentage. In practice, the rate can change by quarter, and the supplied sources show examples in the 6% to 8% range depending on the period and the source context. The refund should include both the principal duty amount and the interest added on top when CBP processes the payment.

What Interest Rate Will Be Used for IEEPA Refunds?

For most readers, the key point is this: IEEPA refunds include statutory interest, and that interest is not a flat number that stays the same forever. The research supplied here points to the customs refund interest framework, with sources referring to the rate used under 19 U.S.C. § 1505 and the IRS quarterly rate rules under IRC 6621. That means the applicable refund interest rate depends on the quarter in which the refund is calculated, not on a one-time universal figure.

Several of the live research sources give examples of what that has looked like in practice. One source describing the IEEPA refund process says interest is currently 6% for corporations in that context. Another source on tariff refunds states that CBP will issue a refund including interest, currently at 7% per annum. A separate source discussing duty-refund interest for 2026 first and second quarters says the overpayment rate was approximately 8% for that period, with the rate set by the IRS quarterly framework. Those are useful examples, but they should be read as period-specific or source-specific references, not as a promise that one permanent rate will apply to every IEEPA refund.

If you are trying to estimate your own payment, the safest approach is to treat the interest as quarterly statutory interest on the duty deposit, then confirm the exact rate used for the refund period when CBP or your customs broker calculates it. The important distinction is that the interest sits on top of the refunded duty; it is not a replacement for the principal amount.

Quick summary of the rate question

• IEEPA refund interest is statutory interest, not a consumer-style refund bonus.
• The rate is tied to the quarterly customs/IRS framework, so it can change over time.
• Supplied sources mention examples around 6%, 7% and roughly 8% in different contexts.
• The exact amount depends on when the duty was paid and when the refund is issued.

How Interest Is Calculated on IEEPA Refunds

Interest on an IEEPA refund generally runs from the date the duty was deposited or paid to CBP until the date the refund is paid out. That timing matters because a longer processing period means more interest accrues. This is why the refund interest question is so closely watched by importers: a delay in processing can materially increase the total amount paid back.

One of the supplied sources explains that CBP’s tariff refund interest is calculated under 19 U.S.C. § 1505(c) using the IRS underpayment rate under 26 U.S.C. § 6621, and it also notes that interest is compounded daily under 26 U.S.C. § 6622. That compounding point is important, but it should be kept in its source-supported context: it is describing the way duty-refund interest can be calculated in this framework, not a separate special rule for every kind of charge connected with a shipment.

The practical effect is straightforward. If the refund takes months to arrive, the interest component grows. If the refund is issued sooner, the interest component is smaller. The rate itself is only one part of the calculation; the deposit date and payment date are just as important.

Component	What it means
Principal	The refunded IEEPA duty that was collected in the first place.
Interest	The statutory amount added to the principal because the government held the money for a period of time.
Rate	The quarterly customs/IRS-linked rate used for the relevant refund period.
Timing	Usually measured from duty deposit to the date the refund is paid.

How IEEPA Refunds Are Processed Through CBP, ACE, and CAPE

IEEPA refunds are not automatic. The live research sources describe a process in which the importer of record, or a customs broker acting for the importer, submits a declaration through CBP’s ACE environment, using the CAPE process that CBP has built to handle these refunds. CBP then validates the entries, recalculates the duties, applies the relevant interest, and issues payment electronically, usually through Treasury/ACH.

That means there are several steps between “the duty was invalidated” and “the money is back in your account.” Importers generally need to:

• identify eligible entries,
• confirm who the importer of record was,
• check whether the entry is unliquidated or already liquidated,
• prepare the entry data for the ACE/CAPE submission, and
• make sure payment information is on file if CBP requires it.

In one supplied FAQ source, the process is described as ACE validating the entries, recalculating the refund with interest, and paying electronically. Another source says importers or their brokers should submit a CAPE declaration in the ACE portal, often by uploading entry information in CSV form. A further source notes that the refund process was being implemented in phases and that CBP was using the new portal-based mechanism rather than issuing automatic refunds to all affected parties.

For readers who want a deeper overview of the mechanics, see our related guide on IEEPA tariff refund status.

What records you should have ready

• Entry summaries and entry numbers.
• Importer-of-record information.
• Any customs broker records connected to the entries.
• Evidence of which duties were actually charged under IEEPA authority.
• Payment details if CBP needs them for electronic disbursement.

The most important point is that the process depends on the entry record. A claim is tied to customs data, not to a vague retail shipping invoice or a general complaint that “tariffs were charged.”

Who Gets an IEEPA Refund and Who Can File It?

The refund normally belongs to the importer of record. That is the party CBP recognises as responsible for the entry, and the refund follows that entry data. In many cases, a customs broker can file on the importer’s behalf, but the broker is acting as the filer, not as the owner of the refund unless the broker itself is the importer of record.

This is where a lot of confusion starts. If a supplier, freight forwarder, or third party was listed as the importer of record, the refund may belong to that entity rather than to the buyer who simply paid a tariff-related charge somewhere in the supply chain. The research also makes clear that the refund is tied to the importer-of-record record in ACE, not to who saw a duty line on a consumer checkout page or carrier invoice.

That is why “tariff refunds for individuals” is a tricky phrase. Individuals can only qualify if they were the actual importer of record on eligible entries. If a consumer bought something online and a courier charged duties at delivery, that does not automatically mean the consumer is the claimant. The entry ownership question controls who gets paid.

For a fuller explanation of refund ownership and claims flow, see our article on who gets the tariff refund.

What about UPS or courier-billed tariff refunds?

A UPS, DHL, or other courier-related charge is not a separate refund programme by itself. The real question is whether the shipment’s importer of record is eligible for an IEEPA refund under the CBP process. If the courier or broker was merely handling collection and customs clearance for the actual importer of record, then the refund still follows the customs entry data. If the courier invoice reflects something else entirely, that is a different issue and should not be assumed to qualify automatically.

For a related practical comparison of carrier charges, you may also find our guide on dispute DHL duty charges useful.

Which IEEPA Entries Qualify for Refunds?

Eligibility depends on the specific entry, the tariff authority used, and the liquidation status of that entry. The live research sources distinguish between unliquidated entries and liquidated entries that are not yet final. In broad terms, unliquidated entries are simpler because CBP can process them without applying the invalidated IEEPA duty. Liquidated-but-not-final entries may also be handled through reliquidation in the CBP process, but the exact treatment can be more complicated.

Some supplied sources say the refund framework covers both unliquidated entries and liquidated entries where liquidation is not yet final, with CBP reliquidating them and issuing refunds. At the same time, the research also notes that fully final liquidated entries are more contested or uncertain depending on the current court and agency posture. So it would be wrong to assume every old entry automatically qualifies just because IEEPA duties were once paid on it.

Just as important, this discussion is about IEEPA-related tariffs only. It does not automatically cover Section 301 tariffs, Section 232 tariffs, or unrelated customs fees. Do not assume that any tariff on any shipment is refundable under the IEEPA programme.

How to think about eligibility

• Was the duty actually imposed under IEEPA authority?
• Was your company the importer of record?
• Is the entry still unliquidated, or liquidated but not finally closed?
• Does the CBP process currently cover that type of entry?
• Are you looking at duty, or at a separate fee such as MPF or HMF?

This eligibility distinction matters because the portal process is data-driven. If the entry information is wrong, the claim can fail even if you believe the shipment should qualify.

Current IEEPA Refund Status and What It Means for Timing

The supplied update sources show that CBP has been making progress on large volumes of refunds, but the process is still moving through a substantial backlog. That matters because the timing of the refund affects the amount of interest paid. The longer the government holds the duty deposit, the more interest accrues under the statutory framework.

One update source says CBP reported billions in anticipated refunds and interest tied to entries that had already been liquidated or reliquidated without IEEPA duties. Another source reports that significant numbers of entries were accepted for processing, while a separate update emphasises that many more entries still remained outside the accepted-entry count. The common theme is that this is a staged administrative process, not a one-day payout event.

That is why a refund update is relevant to the interest question. If your claim sits in the queue longer, the interest component may increase. But no source in the supplied material promises a universal payment date, and it would be inaccurate to suggest that every importer will be paid within the same time window.

For readers who want a broader timeline and process update, our separate article on IEEPA tariff refund status gives the current context in more detail.

Are IEEPA Refunds Taxable?

There are two parts to the refund: the principal duty amount and the statutory interest. Those two components do not always get the same tax treatment. The supplied source on this issue frames the interest portion as potentially taxable income, and that is an important point for businesses and individuals receiving larger payments.

This is not an area where readers should rely on assumptions. If you receive a substantial IEEPA refund, especially one with a meaningful interest component, it is sensible to ask a qualified tax professional how the principal and interest should be treated for your circumstances.

In other words, the refund may solve the customs problem, but it may create a tax reporting question. Treat them as separate issues.

What to Do Next If You Think You Qualify

If you believe you paid IEEPA duties and may be eligible for a refund, the practical next step is to organise your records and verify the entry details before you file or rely on anyone else to file for you. The sources consistently point to the same checklist: importer-of-record identity, entry data, liquidation status, and the specific duty authority used on the entry.

Here is the safest order of operations:

1. Confirm that the duty was actually imposed under IEEPA.
2. Check whether your company, not a supplier or broker, was the importer of record.
3. Gather the entry summaries and related customs records.
4. Determine whether the entry is unliquidated or liquidated but not final.
5. Coordinate with your customs broker if one handled the filing.
6. Use the CBP/ACE/CAPE process rather than relying on unsolicited refund offers.

Be cautious with third parties that promise fast money without showing you the actual entry-level analysis. The refund belongs to the entry, and the claim follows customs data. If you are unsure about the legal posture of a large claim or a final-liquidation issue, get broker, customs, or legal help before acting.

For readers asking whether consumers can ever participate, our article on refunds for individuals explains why claimant identity matters so much.

Bottom line

The interest rate used for IEEPA refunds is the statutory duty-refund rate tied to the customs/IRS framework, not a fixed consumer refund rate. The rate can change by quarter, and the supplied sources show examples in the 6% to 8% range depending on the period and source context. What matters most is that the refund includes both principal and interest, the interest runs from the duty deposit date to the payment date, and the payment goes to the importer of record through the CBP ACE/CAPE process if the entry qualifies.

If you are waiting on an IEEPA refund, the three questions to answer first are simple: who is the importer of record, what is the liquidation status, and what rate applies to the relevant refund period. Those answers determine both whether you get paid and how much interest is added when the refund finally arrives.

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