Customs lawyers handle IEEPA refund filing as part of legal services at $300-500/hour. They provide end-to-end representation, including legal strategy and CBP negotiations. RefundAssist automates the same document preparation for a fraction of the cost, making refund filing accessible to importers of any size.
| Feature | RefundAssist | Customs Law Firms |
|---|---|---|
| Self-serve access | Yes — instant, no consultation | No — requires engagement letter |
| CBP 7501 parsing | Automated — upload and extract | Manual review by paralegal |
| Protest document generation | Auto-generated from entry data | Custom-drafted by attorney |
| Deadline tracking | Automated 180-day alerts | Managed by legal team |
| Refund calculation | Instant — enter duty data | Calculated during engagement |
| Error checking | Automated validation rules | Attorney review |
| Legal advice | No — document tool only | Yes — full legal counsel |
| CBP representation | No — self-filing tool | Yes — represent before CBP |
| Complex cases | Standard IEEPA protests | Complex disputes, litigation |
| Turnaround time | Minutes | Days to weeks |
| Cost | $49–99/month | $300–500/hour ($5,000+ per case) |
| Best for | Straightforward IEEPA refund claims | Complex disputes requiring legal strategy |
Customs lawyers provide comprehensive legal representation, including strategy, CBP negotiations, and litigation if needed. For complex or disputed claims, a lawyer is the right choice. However, most IEEPA refund protests are straightforward — the tariff was ruled unconstitutional, and the filing is largely a matter of correct documentation. RefundAssist automates that documentation at a fraction of the cost, making it ideal for importers with standard claims.
Customs and trade lawyers typically bill $300-500 per hour. A standard IEEPA refund protest can cost $5,000-15,000 in legal fees depending on complexity. Some firms offer flat-fee arrangements for routine protests. RefundAssist provides the same document preparation starting at $49/month for up to 10 entries.
Yes. Many importers use RefundAssist to prepare their documents and track deadlines, then consult a lawyer only for complex cases or when CBP pushes back on a protest. This hybrid approach saves money on routine filings while preserving access to legal expertise when needed.
Calculate your IEEPA tariff refund and generate CBP protest documents automatically. Free estimate, no credit card required.