The tariff refund process is finally kicking off

Tariff Refund Process Begins

Two months after the Supreme Court invalidated President Donald Trump’s most significant tariffs, American importers have started the process of seeking refunds. The new system, launched by US Customs and Border Protection, allows eligible parties to apply for reimbursement starting Monday. Importers who paid $166 billion in tariffs, along with accumulated interest, can now submit claims through a dedicated portal.

Program Overview and Timeline

The Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) program aims to streamline refund approvals by grouping IEEPA duties instead of handling each entry individually. CBP anticipates issuing refunds within 60 to 90 days of approval, though delays may occur if further reviews are required. IEEPA, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, was the legal basis for Trump’s now-repealed tariffs.

Only importers of record or their authorized customs brokers can access the refund system. However, not all tariff payments are immediately eligible. The rollout is in stages, with the first phase focusing on specific types of claims. The full scope of available refunds remains unclear, as the system’s expansion for all payments is yet to be finalized.

“There’s alternative authorities that perhaps could reduce that number quite a bit,” said Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, during a recent Fox News interview.

Challenges persist, as the Trump administration may introduce measures to extend or shrink the refund amounts. While the process has commenced, its full impact depends on how swiftly the system evolves and how many parties qualify for reimbursement in each phase.