US Launches Portal for Refunding $166 Billion in Tariffs Ruled Unlawful by Supreme Court

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched an online portal on April 20, 2026, allowing businesses to claim refunds for approximately $166 billion in tariffs ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court. The tariffs, imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, were struck down in a 6-3 decision on February 20, 2026, for usurping Congress's tax-setting authority.

The portal processes claims for over 53 million shipments from more than 330,000 importers. Importers must register with the agency's electronic payment system and submit detailed declarations listing eligible goods. As of April 14, 2026, 56,497 importers had registered, qualifying for $127 billion in refunds including interest.

The agency expects to handle refunds in phases, starting with recent payments.

m. through the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries tool. Processing times range from 60 to 90 days, with electronic refunds issued in most cases. The agency noted that inaccuracies in submissions could lead to rejections of entire entries or specific line items.

Small businesses have expressed concerns about delays impacting cash flow. After Action Cigars, a Rochester, Minnesota-based importer, paid $34,000 in tariffs last year and absorbed much of the cost without raising prices.

“My main concern is the turnaround time. FedEx stated it will issue refunds to customers for whom it served as customs broker once it receives funds from the agency. UPS was also mentioned as a delivery company likely to provide consumer refunds. Class-action lawsuits are underway against companies including Costco and Essilor Luxottica, seeking to force reimbursements for consumers who faced higher prices due to the tariffs. Some businesses raised prices to offset costs, but refunds to customers remain voluntary absent court orders. Legal experts advised careful preparation of claims to avoid rejections. Meghann Supino, a partner at Ice Miller, recommended listing all document numbers accurately. trade deficit as a national emergency under the 1977 law. The Supreme Court ruling did not directly address refunds, but a subsequent decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade determined that affected companies are entitled to reimbursements. Not all imports qualify immediately; the initial phase covers tariffs estimated but not finalized or within 80 days of final accounting. Nghi Huynh, partner-in-charge of transfer pricing at Armanino, emphasized the need for tracking submissions to ensure accuracy. The refund system follows the Supreme Court's invalidation of the levies, which applied to products from nearly every other country. Many other tariffs imposed under different authorities remain in place. Businesses impacted by the tariffs included importers of goods from countries like Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The process aims to streamline reimbursements, though technical issues could arise during the launch.”