Trade Compliance, Explained

The 7501 is the single most important document in U.S. importing — and most importers have never actually read one. This guide walks through every field that matters for duty verification and refund screening.

These three tariff programs get conflated constantly — by importers, by calculators, and sometimes by brokers. Here’s how they differ, why it matters for refunds, and how to tell which one applies to your entries.

The CAPE portal is how you file for IEEPA refunds with CBP. This guide covers account setup, data requirements, filing procedures, and the common mistakes that get claims rejected or delayed.

Most tariff misapplication starts with the same mistake: assuming a tariff applies based on material or origin before confirming the HTS classification. This explainer shows how classification-first thinking prevents overpayment.

Not every duty you’ve paid is eligible for an IEEPA refund. This quick reference covers the tariff programs that look similar but don’t qualify — and why the distinction matters for your filing.

Chapter 99 of the HTSUS is where all the special tariff programs live — and it’s where most of the confusion happens. This reference guide maps the most common Chapter 99 codes to their programs and rates.