How to Upload Your CAPE Declaration — And Get It Right the First Time.
The CAPE upload process runs through the ACE Secure Data Portal — not a standalone government website. A single formatting error rejects your entire declaration. A file that passes upload validation still faces a second round of entry-level screening. Here is exactly what CBP requires before you upload a single file.
Three Reasons Your CAPE Upload Will Be Rejected.
CBP's CAPE system runs file-level validations before your declaration ever reaches entry screening. The three most common file-level rejection reasons: the file format is not CSV — saving as Excel or PDF causes immediate rejection with the message "Not a CSV file"; the file is empty or the header row is missing; or the entry numbers fail initial format validation — the system displays "Failed initial validation" when entry numbers are not exactly 11 alphanumeric characters or when the first three characters do not match your Filer Code.
If your upload passes file validation it proceeds to entry-level screening. Entry-level rejections display "Rejected by batch validation" and occur when the entry number does not exist in ACE, the IOR number of your account does not match the IOR number on the entry summary, or the entry number is duplicated from a prior declaration. The Validation Result File download shows the specific error for each rejected entry.
Where exactly do I upload my CAPE Declaration?
What does "Failed initial validation" mean?
What does "Rejected by batch validation" mean?
How do I check the status of my upload after submission?
My upload was accepted but some entries were rejected — what now?
Three Steps to a Successful CAPE Upload
Follow these steps exactly as described in the CBP ACE Portal CAPE Declarations Quick Reference Guide (Publication No. 5514-0426).
Download the CAPE Upload Template
In the ACE Secure Data Portal, navigate to the CAPE tab then the File Uploads subtab. Click the Upload button. In the CAPE Upload dialog box, click the CAPE Upload Template hyperlink. The Excel template file downloads automatically to your Downloads folder as ACEP_CapeEntryNumberUploadTemplate. Open it and enter your entry numbers in the first column starting in the second row below the header.
Save and Format Your File Correctly
In the File menu select Save As. The file must be saved as CSV (Comma delimited) format — not Excel, not PDF. The default filename and save location are correct. Enable macros in Excel so the CSV generates correctly on save. The file cannot exceed 1MB. Each entry number must be exactly 11 alphanumeric characters — dashes are stripped automatically but the result must still be 11 characters.
Upload, Acknowledge, and Submit
In the CAPE Upload dialog box, check the Acknowledge checkbox confirming you are legally authorized to make the filing — this must be checked to enable the Upload File button. Click Upload File or drag and drop your CSV. The CAPE Upload In Progress dialog shows the upload status. If an error occurs the Error Starting Upload Job dialog displays the specific reason. A successful upload shows Successfully Started Upload Job and assigns a File Upload Job number.
Everything You Need — For Free
Before you spend a dollar, use our free tools to understand your eligibility, estimate your refund, and get answers about the upload process.
Five Things Every Importer Must Know Before Uploading
The five technical pillars of IEEPA refund eligibility — covered in plain English. Liquidation status, ACH enrollment, entry formatting, interest calculation, and the Phase 1 exclusions that catch many filers off guard.
Read the Quick Guide
2. ACH Enrollment — You must have a U.S. bank account registered in the ACE Secure Data Portal. This account must be separate from any ACH account used to pay duties to CBP.
3. Entry Formatting — All entry numbers must be exact 11 alphanumeric characters. One bad character rejects the line.
4. Interest Calculation — Statutory interest accrues from the original entry payment date at 7% annually (non-corp) or 6% (corp), compounded quarterly per 19 U.S.C. 1505.
5. Phase 1 Exclusions — Reconciliation entries, drawback entries, AD/CVD entries, open protest entries, and entries not filed in ACE are excluded from Phase 1.
Read the Full Filing Guide →
CAPE Pre-Filing Eligibility Screener
Answer 6 questions and get an instant technical readiness assessment. Know your Phase 1 eligibility status, what steps to take next, and whether you need the toolkit or concierge service — before you upload a single file.
Check My Eligibility →Having Trouble With Your CAPE Upload?
TariffGuru's free AI Recovery Agent can help diagnose upload errors, explain validation rejections, and walk you through the correct CAPE file format. Trained on CBP source documents. No account required.
Get Free Help at TariffGuru.com →Federal Statutory Interest Calculator
Calculated per 19 U.S.C. 1505 and 26 U.S.C. 6621 using IRS quarterly overpayment rates as published in Federal Register Vol. 90 No. 186. Not a simple interest estimate — a statutory refund calculation.
Use the Full Calculator Below →Federal Statutory Interest Calculator — IEEPA Tariff Refund Overpayment Rates
Statutory interest on IEEPA tariff refunds accrues from the date the original duties were paid through the date CBP issues your refund. This is not optional — it is a legal entitlement under federal statute.
The applicable rates, confirmed across multiple Federal Register publications, are 7% annually for non-corporate importers and 6% annually for corporate importers, compounded quarterly.
For entries paid in April 2025, this means more than a full year of interest accrues on top of your principal refund amount before CBP issues payment.
Source: 19 U.S.C. 1505 · 26 U.S.C. 6621 · Federal Register Vol. 90 No. 186 (September 29, 2025) · Federal Register Document 2026-01175 (January 22, 2026) · Revenue Ruling 2025-22
Estimate based on statutory rates per 19 U.S.C. 1505 and 26 U.S.C. 6621, compounded quarterly. Actual amounts depend on entry-level CBP data and the refund process established by the Court of International Trade.
File It Right the First Time
From the $97 self-filing toolkit to full institutional data formatting — TariffGuru.com provides the technical infrastructure for every type of importer.
Federal Recovery Toolkit
- Master CAPE CSV template (CBP-compliant, pre-formatted)
- ACE portal data extraction guide
- CBP error dictionary — every rejection code explained
- HTS reference library for IEEPA-subject goods
- USITC duty handbook and HTS classification guide
- Supreme Court ruling analysis (Learning Resources v. Trump)
- Federal Register interest rate documentation
- 12-point pre-submission filing readiness checklist
- Phase 1 exclusion reference guide
Institutional Data Services
- Professional CAPE CSV data formatting at $1 per line
- $1,500 minimum — covers up to 1,500 entry lines
- $4,500 Institutional Data Audit — pre-submission error scan
- PDF Risk Report identifying rejection risks before filing
- Section 301 / IEEPA duty stacking analysis
- AD/CVD suspension review and Phase 2 preparation
- Full concierge with licensed customs practitioners available
Having Trouble With Your CAPE Upload?
TariffGuru's free AI Recovery Agent can help diagnose upload errors, explain validation rejections, and walk you through the correct CAPE file format. Trained on CBP source documents. No account required.
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Stay Ahead of the Process
Court-sourced CAPE system analysis published since March 2026 — before most media outlets covered this story.
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