FedEx and UPS are claiming your IEEPA refunds and most IORs don't know it's happening
Been seeing this come up a lot in different threads so figured it was worth a standalone post.
When FedEx or UPS is your customs broker, they file your CAPE entries using their own account code, typically a 5701 SCS number tied to their brokerage account, not yours. The problem is that ACE links the IEEPA refund to whoever filed the entry, not necessarily whoever paid the duties.
If your broker also has an active CF-4811 on file and is listed as a Notify Party on the entry, CBP and Treasury will send the refund directly to them, even if you are the IOR and you paid the duties out of pocket.
This is not a glitch. This is how the system works, and FedEx and UPS know it.
How to find out if this is happening to you:
Pull your CF-7501 for recent entries. Check Box 24, the Importer Number field. If your broker's EIN or filer code is in that box instead of yours, they have effectively claimed IOR status for refund purposes on that entry.
Run your ES-022 report in ACE. Look at the Designated Notify Party column. If FedEx or UPS shows up there with a CF-4811 active, the refund is going to them.
Check your REV-615 report. If your ACH trace number is there but you never received the funds, they may have already been intercepted.
How to stop it:
Revoke the CF-4811 by emailing your Center of Excellence and Expertise directly. Reference your specific entry numbers. This is the only official way to remove their designation. Document everything in writing because if they refile without authorization that is a compliance issue you can report to CBP.
For refunds that already went to them, you can file a formal dispute with CBP using your original duty payment records, your CF-7501 showing you as consignee, and your ACH setup confirmation from ACE.
Happy to answer questions. This is an area I work in every day with importers trying to recover what belongs to them.
The money is yours. Go get it back. 💥