CAPE Phase 2 Explained in Under 3 Minutes: How to Access Your Share of $28.7B in Refunds

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) just unlocked the doors to billions in liquidity. As of today, June 29, 2026, CAPE Phase 2 is officially live, expanding duty refunds to reconciliation entries that were previously excluded. For importers navigating high-tariff environments, this is the most significant news of the quarter.

What exactly is CAPE? It’s the Claims and Appeals Processing Engine: a high-speed refund pipeline for IEEPA-related tariffs. While Phase 1 covered standard entries, Phase 2 is the game-changer for sophisticated shippers who use reconciliation to finalize values or classifications. If you have "flagged" entries sitting in your ACE portal, the window to file is now open.

Don't stop at IEEPA. The "white whale" for the industry remains the $28.7 billion in potential Section 301 refunds available through duty drawback and federal litigation. While CAPE automates the IEEPA side, savvy brands are utilizing Mid-Atlantic fulfillment hubs to consolidate exports and maximize drawback claims. This isn't just "found money"; it’s a necessary injection of working capital for your bottom line.

Speed is the strategy. To qualify for expedited refunds, you must have an active ACH account and a clean ACE profile. At Lanta Logistics, we help growing brands navigate these complexities by maintaining enterprise-level standards across our Glen Burnie warehouse. Whether you need a Hazmat certified 3PL or a food-grade warehouse for high-compliance goods, your supply chain execution directly impacts your refund audit trail.

The Mid-Atlantic is the premier gateway for these recoveries. By positioning inventory in a strategic 3PL Maryland facility, you gain the real-time visibility required to audit 7501 forms and capture every cent owed. Don't let your share of that $28.7B sit in a government ledger while inflation eats your margins.

Bottom line: Audit your reconciliation entries today and contact Lanta Logistics to turn your supply chain into a high-performance profit center.