If you import goods that later get exported, destroyed, or built into a product you ship abroad, US Customs owes you back up to 99% of the duties, taxes, and fees you paid on them. Most importers never file. BorderFlow does — in-house, on the same system as your customs and freight program.
Drawback is one of the oldest trade programs in the country, and one of the most underused — because filing it well takes a dedicated system, not a spreadsheet.
Every drawback claim falls under one of three statutory types. Most programs end up using a mix, depending on how the goods actually move.
Imported goods that are exported or destroyed without being used in the US. Can be claimed by direct identification or by substitution against goods sharing the same 8-digit HTS code.
Fits: Distributors and traders re-exporting inventory that never gets used domestically.
Imported components used to manufacture a finished product that is later exported. Requires a manufacturing drawback ruling from CBP defining the process, inputs, and outputs.
Fits: Manufacturers importing parts or materials that end up in an exported finished good.
Goods that arrive defective, don't match the order, or were shipped without consent, and are subsequently exported or destroyed under CBP supervision.
Fits: Importers dealing with damaged shipments, returns, or unsellable stock.
Everything below runs as one program — not a report you get handed and have to act on yourself.
We review your last five years of entries against export and destruction records to find what's already eligible.
We determine which claim type — or mix — recovers the most, and secure any manufacturing ruling CBP requires.
Every claim is prepared and filed electronically through CBP's Automated Commercial Environment, as required.
We apply for Accelerated Payment privileges so refunds arrive in weeks instead of waiting on claim liquidation.
If CBP requests information (CF-28) or issues a notice of action (CF-29), we respond on your behalf within deadline.
Supporting records are maintained for the required retention period so a future audit doesn't put your refund at risk.
Drawback shows up differently depending on your seat. Here's what changes for each.
Drawback recovers duties you've already paid — it's a refund, not an investment you have to fund.
As Section 301 and other trade-remedy duties push per-entry costs higher, the dollar value of an eligible claim grows with it.
No dedicated compliance hire required — the audit, filing, and defense run inside your existing program.
Clear visibility into what's been claimed, what's pending, and what's still eligible across your entry history.
Entries approaching the 5-year statutory window get surfaced proactively, not discovered after they've expired.
The same licensed broker running your customs program files the claim — no separate vendor relationship to manage.
No separate specialist to hire, no handoff between an audit firm and a filing firm — one team carries a claim end to end.
We map your import history against matching exports and destructions across the full statutory look-back window.
We determine which claim type — manufacturing, unused merchandise, or rejected merchandise — recovers the most for your entry profile.
Claims are prepared and submitted electronically through ACE, with any required manufacturing ruling in place.
We set up Accelerated Payment privileges so your refund doesn't wait on standard claim liquidation.
If CBP requests documentation or opens an audit, we hold the records and respond on your behalf.
BorderFlow matched five years of import entries to the client's export records, secured a manufacturing drawback ruling, and filed the claims — with Accelerated Payment in place so the refund didn't wait on liquidation.
Most drawback specialists are a separate vendor who needs your data exported to them. We already have it.
BorderFlow's CBP-licensed broker files the drawback claim directly — not a third-party drawback specialist you have to bring in and manage.
Import and export data already live together, so entries get matched to exports without a manual reconciliation project.
When a re-export crosses back through Mexico, our team at the border already has visibility into it.
We flag entries approaching the statutory deadline instead of letting eligible refunds quietly expire.
Get a real rate in minutes, or tell us about your operation and we'll show you how BorderFlow fits in. No rip-and-replace required.
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