Navigating Duty Drawbacks can raise a lot of questions — from eligibility to timelines. This FAQ gives clear answers to the most common concerns, helping importers, exporters, and manufacturers understand how refunds work and what benefits to expect.
A Duty Drawback is a refund of import duties, taxes, and fees when imported goods are later exported, destroyed, or incorporated into exported products. It’s one of the most powerful trade refund programs available to US companies.
Most Duty Drawback claims can reach back up to five years. This window gives businesses the chance to recover substantial amounts they may have assumed were lost.
You can recover up to 99% of duties, tariffs, and fees — including Section 301 tariffs, Merchandise Processing Fees (MPF), and Harbor Maintenance Fees (HMF). For many companies, these recoveries translate into meaningful, recurring cash flow.
Without Accelerated Payment Privilege (APP), refunds typically take 12–18 months. With APP, approved companies may see refunds in as little as 3–6 weeks.
Importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, and even third parties with assigned rights are eligible to file Duty Drawback claims. The program is flexible and designed to apply across industries.
Yes. Duty Drawbacks are not just for large corporations. Many mid-sized and even small businesses successfully recover hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
The Duty Drawback process is complex, requiring careful documentation and compliance with Customs rules. However, with experienced specialists like JG Eberlein, your company can secure refunds without carrying the administrative burden.
We make it simple. Submit your request and get answers fast.