CBP Mandates Electronic Refunds Beginning February 6, 2026 as Chinese New Year Adds Early-Season Shipping Pressure

U.S. importers are facing an important compliance deadline in early 2026, just as global supply chains experience one of their most impactful annual slowdowns. Beginning February 6, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will transition to issuing all customs refunds electronically via Automated Clearing House (ACH), eliminating paper checks except in very limited circumstances.

This change follows CBP’s Electronic Refunds Interim Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on January 2, 2026, and applies to all importers and eligible parties receiving refunds after February 5, 2026.

What Is Changing Under the New Rule

Under the new mandate:

  • CBP will no longer issue paper refund checks

  • All refunds will be processed through ACH direct deposit

  • Importers must be properly enrolled in CBP’s ACH program to receive refunds without interruption

Importers who are not enrolled in ACH by the effective date may experience delayed refunds, even if they are otherwise compliant.

CBP Improves ACH Enrollment Process

To support the transition, CBP has made several updates to simplify enrollment:

  • A new automated ACH Refund Authorization tool has been added to the ACE Secure Data Portal

  • The ACE Portal importer account application process has been automated, reducing administrative friction

  • These changes are designed to improve accuracy and reduce processing delays ahead of the February 2026 deadline

CBP strongly recommends that importers review its Electronic Refund Enrollment Reference Sheet and confirm enrollment well in advance.

Why Timing Matters: Chinese New Year Supply Chain Impacts

This regulatory change coincides with Chinese New Year 2026, which traditionally brings factory shutdowns, reduced port operations, and limited carrier availability across China and much of Asia. Chinese New Year will run from February 17th to March 3rd. 

During the Chinese New Year period:

  • Manufacturing facilities often close for 1–3 weeks

  • Ocean and air capacity tightens before and after the holiday

  • Port congestion and equipment shortages increase

  • Transit times may be extended well into late Q1

For importers, this means early planning is critical — not only for freight movement, but also for customs processing, entries, and refund timelines.

Combined Risk: Operational Delays + Compliance Readiness

The overlap of:

  • A mandatory CBP payment-system transition, and

  • A global shipping slowdown tied to Chinese New Year

creates additional risk for companies that are not prepared.

Importers who delay ACH enrollment may face:

  • Refund processing delays

  • Cash flow disruptions

  • Additional administrative follow-up during an already congested shipping period

How Radius International Is Supporting Clients

Radius International is actively assisting customers with:

  • ACH enrollment and verification

  • ACE Portal access and account setup

  • Customs compliance reviews

  • Pre–Chinese New Year shipping strategies

  • Entry planning to minimize delays and exposure

Our team continues to monitor CBP guidance and global logistics conditions to help clients stay ahead of both regulatory changes and seasonal supply chain disruptions.

Questions or need assistance?
Contact Radius International to ensure your customs, payment, and shipping processes are fully prepared for 2026.