U.S. Customs Launches Tariff Refund System Amid Supreme Court Ruling

Mon Apr 20 2026 07:17:14 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Businesses can now begin applying for refunds on tariffs imposed by President Trump without constitutional authority, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The online portal opens Monday at 8 a.m.

Starting Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will launch an online portal where businesses can claim refunds for tariffs deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. This rollout follows a decision that found President Trump exceeded his authority by imposing new import tax rates without congressional approval. Companies affected will need to submit detailed claims and may experience delays in receiving refunds, particularly as the system processes over 330,000 importers and their claims could take several months.

NEW YORK (AP) — A refund system for businesses that paid tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump without constitutional authority is set to launch Monday. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will facilitate the application process through an online portal available starting at 8 a.m.

This initiative is the first phase in a convoluted process that may eventually enable consumers to claim refunds for tariffs charged on imported goods. Businesses must file declarations detailing the goods on which substantial import taxes were levied, leading to an overall federal refund totaling approximately $166 billion.

Application Process

The government plans to address refunds in phases, with an emphasis on recent payments that may not have been finalized. If claims are approved, refund payouts may take up to 90 days to process. However, technical factors and procedural challenges could result in further delays.

According to CBP data, over 330,000 importers collectively paid these tariffs on more than 53 million shipments.

Meghann Supino, a partner at Ice Miller, emphasized the importance of precision in submitting claims to avoid rejections due to incomplete documentation. Importers must carefully document their submissions, as inaccuracies could jeopardize the entire claim.

While businesses have waited anxiously for the refund opportunity, some have expressed concerns over turnaround times and remaining cash flow challenges if delays persist. A refund process that takes several months to complete doesn’t solve the cash flow problem that it is supposed to fix, stated Brad Jackson, co-founder of After Action Cigars.

Future Implications for Consumers

As the refunds will initially revert to businesses which paid the tariffs, it remains uncertain whether consumers will see any financial relief. Lawsuits are underway seeking to hold businesses accountable for passing tariff costs on to customers. Delivery companies such as FedEx and UPS are expected to refund customers directly.

For those entitled to refunds, patience will be essential as the system progresses and scaling challenges arise in the initial rollout.