What is this?
A tariff protest is a formal legal challenge filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under 19 U.S.C. § 1514. It is the administrative mechanism used by importers to dispute CBP's decisions regarding the classification, valuation, or application of duties (such as IEEPA or Section 301 tariffs) on a specific import entry.
How Tariff Refund HQ Handles It
We run a deadline-driven protest execution workflow. We monitor your liquidation dates, identify entries with protestable legal postures (e.g., unconstitutional IEEPA tariffs), assemble the required evidentiary package, and file the CBP Form 19 protest electronically through ACE before the strict 180-day deadline expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a customs protest?
A formal customs protest must be filed within 180 days of the date your entry liquidated. Missing this deadline permanently waives your right to challenge the duty assessment on that entry.
Can a protest trigger an audit?
While a protest itself is a standard administrative procedure, poorly supported claims can draw CBP scrutiny. We ensure all protests are factually and legally sound to mitigate collateral risk.
What happens after a tariff protest is filed?
CBP will review the protest. They may approve it (resulting in a refund), deny it, or suspend it pending the outcome of related litigation (such as the Learning Resources v. Trump case).
Do I need an attorney to file a tariff protest?
While not strictly required to file the administrative form, having attorney oversight ensures the legal arguments are preserved correctly for potential future litigation in the Court of International Trade.
Who This Is For
We operate on a standard contingency model. There are no upfront fees or hourly billings.
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