Tariff Refund Software Powered by Algorithmic Optimization

Tariff refund software automates the process of identifying, calculating, and filing claims to recover overpaid import duties from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It ingests trade documents like invoices, bills of lading, and customs declarations, then applies eligibility rules and optimization logic to determine the maximum refundable amount. Platforms like Zollback also electronically file claims directly with CBP via certified ABI software, handling the full workflow end-to-end.

Duty drawback is the U.S. government program that refunds import duties when goods are re-exported, used in manufacturing for export, or destroyed. IEEPA tariffs — imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act — are eligible for drawback recovery when the underlying goods meet these conditions. Importers paying IEEPA tariffs on materials that eventually leave the U.S. can recover a significant portion of what they paid through a properly filed drawback claim.

The industry standard using legacy providers and manual workflows is 9–12 months from document collection to refund receipt. Zollback's automated platform compresses this to 10–15 working days by eliminating manual data entry, running algorithmic optimization, and filing electronically via ABI software. The timeline depends on document availability and the complexity of your import-export activity, but automation significantly accelerates every stage of the process.

A drawback claim typically requires import entry records, proof of export (bills of lading, export declarations), commercial invoices, and evidence linking the imported goods to the exported or destroyed goods. HTS classifications and applicable duty rates must also be documented. Zollback accepts all of these in PDF, CSV, or ERP export format and uses AI to extract and structure the data automatically, eliminating the manual preparation that makes traditional filing so time-consuming.

Up to 99% of eligible import duties can be recovered through duty drawback. However, the actual amount depends on the drawback type, the volume of qualifying exports relative to imports, and how thoroughly the import-export matching is performed. Algorithmic optimization — evaluating all possible matching combinations — typically recovers 15–20% more than manual methods, where providers using legacy software often miss the optimal permutations.

Yes. Any U.S. importer that re-exports goods, uses imported materials in manufacturing for export, or destroys imported merchandise may qualify for duty drawback, regardless of company size. Historically, legacy providers only served large enterprise clients due to the manual effort required. Automated tariff refund software like Zollback makes drawback economically viable for companies across a much broader revenue range, including SMBs that were previously underserved.