Trump Tariffs: Refund Process Finally Gets Underway
The United States officially begins processing tariff refund claims from today – Monday 20th April – marking a significant development for the businesses impacted.
The move follows the decision by the US Supreme Court to strike down tariffs introduced by Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Preparations for handling the refund process have been underway since February’s decision.
Eligible companies—specifically those listed as importers of record—can now submit claims to recover IEEPA-related duties through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). However, individuals or entities not named as the importer of record may face practical challenges in pursuing refunds at this stage.
The first phase of the process will prioritise “unliquidated entries,” referring to goods for which tariff payments have not yet been finalised. It will also include entries within 80 days of liquidation. This initial rollout is expected to cover approximately 63% of all IEEPA duties.
According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), successful claims should be reimbursed within 60 to 90 days, with payments issued via electronic transfer.
Meanwhile, attention remains on tariffs imposed under Section 122. The US Court of International Trade recently heard arguments in a case brought by multiple states and businesses seeking to overturn these temporary measures. Despite the challenge, many legal experts believe the court is unlikely to rule against the tariffs before their scheduled expiration on July 24th.
For further information on the above, including the refund process, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Atlantic Pacific team.
