Thousands of importers are set to receive repayments this week after tariffs imposed under emergency powers were struck down by the Supreme Court. The refund process, managed through a new Customs and Border Protection portal, covers billions of dollars in previously collected duties.
American businesses that paid tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) will begin receiving the first wave of refunds on Tuesday, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The repayments follow a Supreme Court ruling that determined the administration exceeded its authority when imposing the tariffs.
More than 330,000 importers collectively paid $166 billion in duties under the policy, according to CBP. The agency launched a digital claims system in April allowing companies and customs brokers to request refunds for eligible entries. As of April 26, at least 75,000 businesses had already filed claims, according to court documents cited by ABC News.
Businesses Navigate a Large-Scale Federal Refund System
The refund process is being handled through CBP’s Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries system, known as CAPE, which operates through the agency’s ACE Secure Data Portal. According to CBP guidance published on its website, importers or their licensed customs brokers must submit a declaration listing eligible shipment entries in a CSV file format.
The first phase of the system applies only to certain unliquidated entries and shipments liquidated within the previous 80 days. CBP stated that valid refunds will generally be issued within 60 to 90 days after acceptance of a CAPE declaration, unless further compliance review is required.
The agency also noted that roughly 15% of submitted claims have been rejected because of incorrect information or ineligible shipments. Error notices listed by CBP include duplicate entries, missing tariff classifications, and entries already under protest or court injunction.
According to The Guardian, many businesses are relying on the same customs brokers that originally handled their imports because the government requires the “importer of record” or the original broker to submit claims. Melissa Alvarado Quisenberry, vice-president at Supply Chain Solutions, told the newspaper that the system has been “more organized and operational than many of us expected,” although some glitches have been reported.
CBP has also warned businesses about potential fraud attempts linked to the refund process. The agency said scammers may use emails or social media messages to obtain account information from importers seeking repayments.
Major Retailers and Shipping Firms Expect Billions in Repayments
Large corporations are among the companies expected to receive substantial refunds. According to an analysis by Citi cited by ABC News, Walmart could receive about $10 billion, while Target is expected to recover $2 billion. Nike may receive approximately $1 billion, and Macy’s is reportedly owed $320 million.
General Motors has also stated that it expects hundreds of millions of dollars in repayments tied to the invalidated tariffs. Shipping companies including UPS, FedEx, and DHL have separately announced plans to refund customers directly for package shipments affected by IEEPA duties.
The broader economic effects of the tariffs continue to draw attention. According to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, the IEEPA tariffs cost the average American household roughly $700 last year. Even so, consumers are unlikely to receive direct compensation for higher retail prices paid during that period.
Many businesses have indicated that refunded money will instead be used for operational needs, including paying debt, rehiring employees, or rebuilding inventory. Some companies have also suggested the repayments could help reduce prices in the future, although no direct consumer refund mechanism currently exists.
