CAPE Error Codes (Plain English Guide)

Below are the most important CAPE error codes you may encounter when submitting IEEPA refund claims—and what they actually mean.

1. File & Formatting Errors

These are the most common and easiest to fix.

E001 – Invalid File Format
→ Your file is not in the correct CSV format.

E002 – Missing Required Column/Header
→ A required column is missing or mislabeled.

E003 – Invalid Column Order
→ Columns are not in the exact order required by CBP.

E004 – Extra or Unexpected Columns
→ You added columns that are not part of the template.

E005 – Invalid Data Type
→ A field has the wrong format (e.g., text instead of number, bad date format).

2. Entry Identification Errors

E101 – Invalid Entry Number
→ The entry number does not exist or is formatted incorrectly.

E102 – Entry Not Found
→ CBP cannot locate this entry in the system.

E103 – Duplicate Entry Submission
→ This entry has already been submitted in CAPE.

3. Eligibility & Status Errors

E201 – Entry Not Eligible
→ The entry does not meet Phase 1 eligibility criteria.

E202 – Entry Already Liquidated (Outside Window)
→ The entry liquidated too long ago to qualify.

E203 – Entry Not Yet Eligible for Processing
→ The entry status (timing or condition) prevents processing.

4. Data Mismatch Errors

E301 – Importer Mismatch
→ Importer of Record does not match CBP records.

E302 – Value/Amount Mismatch
→ The refund amount or value does not align with CBP data.

E303 – Date Mismatch
→ Dates (entry, liquidation, etc.) do not match CBP records.

5. Exclusion-Based Errors

These relate to categories currently excluded from Phase 1.

E401 – Entry Subject to Drawback
→ Entry is tied to a drawback claim.

E402 – Entry Subject to AD/CVD
→ Entry involves antidumping or countervailing duties.

E403 – Entry in Reconciliation
→ Entry is flagged for reconciliation and not eligible in Phase 1.

6. System & Processing Errors

E901 – System Error / Processing Failure
→ Temporary system issue—retry submission.

E902 – Incomplete Submission
→ Upload failed or was interrupted.

How to Use This List

• Fix and resubmit: Most errors are correctable
• Check your data first: Entry number, importer, and formatting cause most failures
• Track submissions: Avoid duplicates
• Expect iteration: Resubmission is normal

Most CAPE errors fall into three buckets:

1. Formatting issues (most common)
2. Data mismatches
3. Eligibility exclusions

If you address those upfront, your submission is far more likely to go through on the first try.