ACE Portal: ACH refund change verification from Oct 10
CBP adds email or SMS security-token verification for ACH refund information changes in the ACE Portal, with change alerts and a new October 2026 QRG.
Beginning October 10, 2026, CBP requires email or SMS verification for Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) refund information changes in the ACE Portal. CBP announced the change in CSMS #70162211 (sent October 9, 2026) and documented the steps in the October 2026 Quick Reference Guide, Publication No. 5686-1026.
Add or modify ACH refund info in an importer sub-account, and you must complete a security-token verification by email (optional SMS) before the change sticks.
What changed on October 10
Authorized ACE Portal users receive a security token by email, with the option to also receive it by SMS, when adding or modifying ACH refund information in an importer sub-account. Token verification is required to complete the change. Other authorized users under the same importer sub-account can opt in to email or SMS alerts after any ACH refund information change.
This follows last month's addition of SMS as an ACE Portal login authentication method. See ACE Portal SMS login authentication.
QRG: ACE Portal: ACH Bank Information for Electronic Refunds · Oct 2026 · Pub. No. 5686-1026
Help: ACE.Support@cbp.dhs.gov
Where ACH refund banking lives in ACE
Per E.O. 14247, CBP moved from paper refund checks to ACH/EFT refunds. The ACH Refund Authorization tab in the Importer Account view is where banking information is entered. Trade Account Owners can grant Read-Only or Full Access to that tab to Proxy TAOs and Trade Account Users. Broker companies named on a CBP Form 4811 (Special Address Notification) to receive refunds must request importer record view access before entering ACH info. Banking information is not stored in the ACE Portal; it is maintained in CBP's financial system.
Preferences and the add/update flow (QRG Topics 3 and 4)
- Topic 3 (preferences): email is enabled automatically for identity verification. Under Tools > Notification Preferences, add a mobile number if you want SMS, accept Terms and Conditions, then toggle SMS for Identity Verifications and/or EMAIL or SMS for ACH Electronic Refund Change Alerts.
- Topic 4 (add/update): open the importer account, select the ACH Refund Authorization tab, use Get Info/Refresh, then Add ACH Info or Update. Enter bank control key, 9-digit routing number, and account number (with re-entry), Submit, choose Email or SMS for the token, enter the verification code, and Verify and Submit. Only the last four digits of the account number display afterward.
Drawback refunds are paid electronically to the ACH refund information on file, so keeping ACH data current and verified matters to drawback claimants. See electronic drawback refunds for the default electronic-refund rule and enrollment posture. IEEPA/CAPE refund claimants should likewise confirm ACH info before refunds issue; for still-excluded entry categories, see CAPE IEEPA refunds: what entries are still excluded.
Action items
- Confirm profile contacts: email and mobile number on ACE Portal user profiles are current before the next ACH change.
- Review ACH tab access: who has Full Access versus Read-Only on the ACH Refund Authorization tab.
- Turn on change alerts for other authorized users as a fraud control.
- Brokers with Form 4811 authority: request importer view access before refunds are due, then enter or verify ACH info.
- Drawback and IEEPA refund claimants: check ACH refund information before refunds issue.
- CSMS #70162211 (Oct 9, 2026): from October 10, 2026, ACE Portal requires email or SMS security-token verification to add or modify ACH refund information.
- Other authorized users under the importer sub-account can opt in to email or SMS alerts after any ACH refund change.
- QRG Pub. No. 5686-1026 (Oct 2026): ACH Refund Authorization tab under Importer Account; TAOs grant Read-Only or Full Access; banking data lives in CBP's financial system, not the Portal.
- Brokers named on Form 4811 must request importer record view access before entering ACH info. Help: ACE.Support@cbp.dhs.gov.
- Drawback refunds pay to the ACH info on file; keep it current and verified (see electronic drawback refunds).
- CSMS #70162211 - ACE Portal: Addition of Verification Step for ACH Refund Changes - Coming October 10 · U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- ACE Portal: ACH Bank Information for Electronic Refunds (October 2026, Publication No. 5686-1026) · U.S. Customs and Border Protection
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Drawback eligibility depends on your specific facts, and final refunds are determined by CBP at liquidation. Consult a licensed customs broker or attorney for your situation.