Leyton is an international consulting firm that helps businesses leverage financial incentives to accelerate their growth and achieve long-lasting performance.
Many American businesses are paying more in customs duties than they should. Changing tariffs, complex trade regulations, and manual import processes often lead to errors and overpayments. Duty recovery for U.S. importers helps identify and reclaim those dollars, turning missed opportunities into meaningful savings.
What Is Duty Recovery and Why It Matters
Duty recovery is the process of uncovering customs overpayments and claiming eligible refunds from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Even small errors, like incorrect product classification, valuation, or origin, can add up to significant amounts. By reviewing import data and customs filings, companies can often recover thousands in unnecessary duty payments.
Recovering duties doesn’t just improve cash flow. It also:
Strengthens compliance and reduces audit risk
Lowers landed costs per shipment
Creates a more resilient, efficient global supply chain
Leyton: Proven Results, Secure Process
Our combined customs and data analytics expertise allows your team to:
Uncover and document past overpayments
Correct errors before future filings
Secure refunds using fully compliant CBP procedures
It’s a self‑funding way to improve your company’s bottom line while staying 100% compliant.
How the Process Works
Our proven approach starts with data and ends with results:
Import Data Review: We analyze your customs entries electronically to identify potential overpayments.
Opportunity Assessment: Our experts evaluate classification, valuation, and drawback potential.
Claim Preparation and Defense: We handle claim submission and provide support through CBP resolution, appeals, or tribunal if needed
Throughout the process, transparency and compliance remain the top priorities.
Powerful Duty Recovery Strategies
Depending on your business model, several strategies can help recover or reduce duties:
Tariff Engineering: Adjust product design or packaging to legally apply lower‑duty classifications.
Post‑Summary Corrections (PSC): Correct filing errors (like misclassification or undervaluation) before liquidation.
Formal Protests or Disclosures: Address liquidation errors or report past mistakes to reduce penalties.
Duty Drawback: Reclaim up to 99% of duties, taxes, and fees for goods later exported, destroyed, or used in export manufacturing.
Foreign Trade Zones and Trade Programs: Use Free Trade Agreements and Customs programs to generate ongoing savings.
All methods comply with CBP requirements and are supported with proper documentation.
Make Duty Recovery a Strategic Advantage
Working with Leyton and Descartes means stepping beyond compliance, into opportunity. Our clients often use recovered funds to reinvest in operations, strengthen supply chains, or drive innovation.
Duty recovery for U.S. importers is a smart strategy for businesses that want to reduce costs, protect margins, and uncover overlooked savings.
If you missed our recent Leyton x Descartes Duty Recovery Webinar, don’t worry, you can watch the replay here!
In the session, our customs experts explained exactly how U.S. importers can identify overpayments, file effective claims, and build a stronger trade strategy.
