Recover 99% of US Customs Duties On Re-Exported Goods

The Only Dedicated Crossborder Retail Duty Drawback

You’re Overpaying on Crossborder Returns
Here’s How to Fix It

Recover 99% of duties

on returned or re-exported goods
no manual paperwork.

No Budget Threshold

Our solution supports both small and large drawback budgets. Every customer counts!

One partner, global reach

US, EU, and UK duty mitigation
no coordinator needed.

Two Ways to Reclaim Your Money Starting Today

Cross-Border Returns?

When international shoppers return items, you lose the duties you paid. We automate claims to refund up to 99% of those fees—so every return puts money back in your pocket.

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US duty drawback process for eCommerce returns

Re-Exporting Inventory?

Paying US duties and foreign tariffs? Stop double-paying.
Claim back up to 99% of US import duties when you ship goods overseas.

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Duty drawback workflow for re-exported inventory

Who Benefits From Duty Drawback?

If your eCommerce brand imports goods, pays duties, and later sees returns, re-exports, or other eligible movements, duty drawback can turn those costs into recoverable cash.

We help CFOs and finance teams improve cash flow, reduce returns-related expenses, and manage the process through one experienced point of contact.

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For eCommerce brands

Recover duties tied to returns, re-exports, and other eligible customs movements without adding internal complexity.

For finance leaders

Improve working capital and reduce the cost of returns with a single partner for global duty recovery.

Your Duty Drawback Challenges, Solved

Your Questions Answered

What is Duty Drawback and how can it reduce my customs costs?
Duty Drawback is a U.S. Customs program (19 U.S.C. § 1313) that allows you to recover 99% of duties, taxes, and fees paid on imported goods that are later exported or destroyed. For retail brands, this means reclaiming costs on unsold inventory exported to consignees or customer returns shipped back overseas. It directly improves your landed cost margins and cash flow.
Can non-US brands claim Duty Drawback on returned goods exported from the US?
Yes, if you meet three conditions: (1) You were the importer of record when the goods entered the US, (2) the returned goods are identical to the imported ones (or qualify under substitution rules), and (3) they are exported or destroyed within 5 years of import. Many non-US brands overlook this—returns can generate 6-8% cost savings on original import duties.
How does Duty Drawback apply to US brands exporting inventory to overseas consignees?
If you import goods into the US and later export them unused to consignees (e.g., distributors, subsidiaries), you can claim drawback. Direct Identification (matching serial numbers) is simplest, but Substitution Drawback (using identical replacement goods) is more practical for retail. Pro tip: Track inventory by HTS code to maximize eligibility.
What documentation is critical for Duty Drawback claims?
Non-negotiable records: (1) CBP Form 7501 (entry summary) proving duties paid, (2) Commercial invoices and packing lists, (3) Proof of export (e.g., AES filings, bills of lading, or CBP Form 7512 for informal exports), and (4) Inventory tracking linking imports to exports. For returns, RMA documentation is also key. Digital records are acceptable but must be retrievable for 5+ years.

The TDR Advantage: Our team will provide all necessary support to create a compliant repository of documentation. With your consent, they will also access your ACE profile and pull down necessary data.
How long does it take to receive Duty Drawback refunds?
CBP processes claims in 3-12 months on average. Accelerated refundscan reduce this to 4-8 weeks if you're a trusted filer.

The TDR Advantage: Our team will request Accelerated Payment privilege on your behalf.

Finance teams: Plan for a 6-month working capital cycle—but refunds are interest-free, so the ROI is effectively the full duty amount recovered.
What percentage of duties and fees can I recover?
99% of duties, taxes, and most fees (e.g., Harbor Maintenance Fee, Merchandise Processing Fee). Exceptions: Some trade remedy fees (e.g., antidumping/countervailing duties) may have lower recovery rates or restrictions. Example: On $100,000 of duties paid, you'd recover $99,000—a direct boost to your P&L.
What are the top reasons Duty Drawback claims get rejected?
Avoid these mistakes: (1) Missing export proof(e.g., no AES filing for informal shipments), (2) Inadequate inventory tracking (can't link imports to exports), (3) Late filings (5-year deadline from import), (4) Incorrect HTS classification mismatches, and (5) Using non-identical substitution goods.

The TDR Advantage: Our team will support you implementing a drawback-specific ERP workflow before claiming.
Should we file Duty Drawback claims in-house or use a customs broker?
DIY: Feasible if you have an ABI software and robust customs expertise.
Alternatively, TDR takes care of all the heavy lifting, the EDI connection with Customs and typically increases recovery rate by 30% through optimization.
Are there audit risks with Duty Drawback, and how can we mitigate them?
Yes—CBP audits ~5% of claims annually. Red flags: High claim volumes, frequent substitution use, or inconsistent documentation. Mitigation: (1) Conduct a pre-filing audit of your records, (2) Use ACE Drawback module (CBP's preferred system), (3) Document everything (e.g., why substitution was used), and (4) Designate a single POC for CBP inquiries. Penalties for negligence can include denied claims or fines up to the duty amount.

The TDR Advantage: Trust our expert team to submit fully compliant claims to CBP and reduce the risk of Customs audits.
Why should I choose TDR as my drawback partner?

Dedicated retail duty drawback expertise: TDR is the only partner focused on crossborder retail drawback, with a specialist process built for eCommerce returns and re-exported inventory.

Cost-effective for any retailer: No budget threshold and success-based fees mean TDR supports small and large drawback budgets, so retailers pay only when recovery succeeds.

Simplifies global duty recovery: One partner handles US, EU, and UK duty mitigation without the customer needing a separate coordinator, reducing complexity and improving cash flow.

Your Competitors Are Already Reclaiming Their Duties. Are You?

Average client recovers
$50K–$1500K/year in duties

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