The short answer
The best Pax AI alternative depends on whether you want to keep outsourcing duty recovery or bring it in-house. If you want software that you or your customs broker run on a flat license, under your own filer code, Stable is the closest fit. If you want another AI-native provider that files for you, Zollback and Caspian are the nearest like-for-like options. If you want an established specialist to run the program, Charter Brokerage, Comstock & Holt, and Alliance Drawback Services are the long-standing firms, and DutyCalc is long-established licensed software.
Key takeaways
- Pax AI is a licensed customs brokerage that uses AI to prepare drawback and IEEPA refund claims and files them for you.
- The alternatives fall into three groups: software you or your broker run, other AI-native filers, and full-service specialists.
- Stable is the software option. It is a flat license with no percentage of the refund, and claims go out under your filer code and POA.
- Zollback and Caspian are the closest AI-native peers. Both use their own licensed brokers to file.
Pax AI alternatives compared
| Provider | Model | Pricing | Who files |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stable (DrawbackAI) | Software you or your broker run (broker white-label) | Flat license | You or your broker, under your POA |
| Pax AI | AI-native licensed brokerage | Reportedly ~15% of recovered refunds (estimate) | Pax AI (own brokerage) |
| Zollback | AI-native filer | Percentage of the refund, tiered | Zollback (in-house licensed brokers) |
| Caspian | AI-native trade advisor and filer | Not published | Caspian (licensed brokers) |
| Charter Brokerage | Full-service specialist | Commonly a share of recovery | Charter |
| Comstock & Holt | Specialist with own software | Commonly a share of recovery | Comstock & Holt |
| Alliance Drawback Services | Specialist plus software (Apollo) | Service and software | Alliance |
| DutyCalc | Licensed drawback software | License | You or your broker |
The top Pax AI alternatives
1.Stable (DrawbackAI)Our pick
Flat-license drawback software that you or your customs broker runDuty drawback software that you or your customs broker run in-house. It matches imports to exports across all valid pairings instead of first-in-first-out, including substitution on 8-digit HTS, and shows the lesser-of math and fees on every line. Brokers white-label it and file under their own filer code and POA. It is a flat license and never takes a percentage of the refund. Where Pax files as your broker, Stable is the tool you or your broker operate. See Stable vs Pax AI.
2.Zollback
AI-native, performance-based, files through its own brokerageAn AI-native drawback company that launched publicly in March 2026. It parses trade documents, runs optimization across import-to-export matches, and has in-house licensed customs brokers verify and file each claim. Pricing is a percentage of the refund recovered, and the percentage falls as the total refund grows. It also runs a partner program for brokers and forwarders. See Stable vs Zollback.
3.Caspian
AI trade advisor that audits entries and files drawbackAn AI-native trade compliance and duty recovery company founded by former Flexport engineers. It audits entries before and after filing and runs drawback end to end, and its licensed customs brokers review the claims and transmit them to CBP. It positions itself for both merchants and brokers. See Stable vs Caspian.
4.Charter Brokerage
Full-service specialist for large importersA full-service drawback specialist, part of Berkshire Hathaway, that runs recovery directly for large importers and is backed by its own drawback software, Hamilton. Fees are commonly a share of recovery. See Stable vs Charter Brokerage.
5.Comstock & Holt
Long-established specialist with its own softwareOne of the oldest U.S. drawback specialists. It runs its own software for each client and advises on complex claims and rulings. It is a full-service, importer-direct option. See Stable vs Comstock & Holt.
6.Alliance Drawback Services
Specialist service plus software (Apollo)A drawback specialist with a cloud drawback optimization product, Apollo. It is the most software-forward of the established specialists and offers both service and software. See Stable vs Alliance Drawback Services.
7.DutyCalc
Long-established licensed drawback softwareLicensed drawback software that importers and brokers run themselves, from a company founded in 1988. It is priced as a license rather than a share of refunds. See Stable vs DutyCalc.
Why look for a Pax AI alternative?
Pax AI is a credible option. It describes itself as a licensed customs brokerage, ABI-certified with CBP, with licensed brokers reviewing every claim before filing. It also handles accelerated payment applications and offers IEEPA refund preparation alongside drawback. Teams still look at alternatives for a few reasons:
- They want to run drawback themselves. Pax files the claims as your broker. Companies that want the matching, the claim records, and the filing inside their own platform look for software instead.
- Channel concerns for brokers. Because Pax is itself a customs brokerage, a broker who sends clients to Pax for drawback places them with another broker. Brokers who want to keep the client usually prefer software they can white-label.
- Pricing structure. Pax AI reportedly charges around 15% of recovered refunds. Teams with recurring, high-volume claims often compare a share-of-refund model against a flat license.
- Scope. Some teams want drawback only. Others want drawback inside a broader trade suite they already use.
The goal is not a better tool in the abstract. It is the model that fits who you want doing the work and keeping the margin.
The three ways to replace Pax AI
Software you or your broker run (Stable, DutyCalc, and Alliance's Apollo) keeps the work, the records, and the margin with you. AI-native filers (Zollback, Caspian) are the closest swap if you like Pax's outsourced model and want to compare terms, speed, and matching. Full-service specialists (Charter Brokerage, Comstock & Holt) run the program for you with decades of drawback experience, usually for a share of recovery. Pick by whether you want to own the work and the margin, or hand them off.
Where Stable fits
Stable is the in-house alternative to Pax AI. It is licensed software that you or your customs broker run, with matching solved across all valid pairings, MPF, HMF and IRT on every line, and AD/CVD and IEEPA exclusions itemized. Claims go out under your filer code and POA, and Stable never takes a percentage of the refund. Brokers can white-label it and offer drawback to their own importer clients instead of referring them out. See the full Stable vs Pax AI comparison and drawback software for customs brokers.
How to choose a Pax AI alternative
Ask every provider the same questions, including Pax AI:
- How are fees calculated, and on which refund amounts (duties, taxes, fees)? Get it in writing.
- Who files the claims, and under whose filer code and power of attorney?
- Does the provider, or an affiliate, also sell customs brokerage to you or your clients?
- How does it match imports to exports, and can it show what a different match would recover?
- Which drawback types does it support, including substitution at the 8-digit HTS level and manufacturing?
- Who owns the claim records and data if you leave?
- Do you also need IEEPA refund, reconciliation, or entry audit work, and is that priced separately?
Related
Platform modules
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Pax AI?
It depends on who you want running the claims. For software you or your customs broker run on a flat license, Stable. For another AI-native provider that files for you, Zollback or Caspian. For a full-service specialist, Charter Brokerage, Comstock & Holt, or Alliance Drawback Services.
Is Pax AI software or a customs broker?
Pax AI describes itself as a licensed customs brokerage, ABI-certified with CBP. It uses its own AI technology to prepare claims, and its licensed brokers review and file them. Stable is software: you or your broker run it and file under your own filer code and POA.
Does Stable take a percentage of the refund?
No. Stable is a flat software license. It never takes a percentage of the refund, and there are no per-claim fees.
Which Pax AI alternatives also file claims for you?
Zollback and Caspian are AI-native providers whose licensed brokers file claims. Charter Brokerage, Comstock & Holt, J.M. Rodgers, and Alliance Drawback Services are established specialists that run drawback as a service.
Can a customs broker offer drawback without referring clients to Pax AI?
Yes. With white-label software like Stable, the broker offers drawback under its own brand, files on its own POA, sets its own fee with the client, and keeps the relationship.
Does Stable help with IEEPA refunds?
Stable's Entry Audit module reviews filed entries from your ACE ES-003 export line by line, and DrawbackAI itemizes IEEPA duties so they are not mixed into drawback totals.