finance
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Launches Tariff Refund Portal Following Supreme Court Decision
U.S. Customs and Border Protection introduced the first phase of its electronic refund system for tariffs deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Importers can now apply for refunds from a $166 billion pool, with over 56,000 claims already totaling $127 billion. Small businesses face challenges in navigating the process amid legal uncertainties.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection rolled out the first phase of its electronic tariff refund system, known as the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), on Monday, allowing importers to apply for refunds on tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court. The system provides access to $166 billion collected from duties ruled unconstitutional, @FortuneMagazine reported.
U.S. Refunds are to be distributed 60 to 90 days after processing, the agency stated. Small businesses, operating on tight margins, have struggled with tariff costs, often lacking resources to stockpile inventories or absorb expenses without raising consumer prices.
A Federal Reserve survey published last month found 42% of small firms cited rising costs from tariffs as a primary financial concern. Separately, a March report from the Center for American Progress indicated small businesses paid $306,000 in tariffs on average last year.
Larger companies like Costco and FedEx have sued the Trump administration to ensure eligibility for refunds, highlighting disparities in access to legal support.
Dan Anthony, executive director of We Pay the Tariffs, described the burdens on smaller firms. 'What you end up with is small-business owners or someone who does product development, who is now expected to be a tariff expert,' Anthony said. His coalition represents small businesses opposing the administration’s tariff policies, noting that owners often divert resources from product development and growth to handle compliance.
Matthew Seligman, founder and principal of Grayhawk Law and a federal litigator focusing on constitutional law, expressed concerns about the process. 'Especially given the uncertain legal environment that we’re operating in right now, I am deeply worried that small and medium-sized importers are going to end up losing their refund rights because they haven’t had access to trade counsel to help back them through it,' Seligman said.
