The US government has opened an online portal for submitting requests for refunds of illegally imposed tariffs under President Trump. The move comes two months after the Supreme Court ruled that such duties were unlawful. Importers and customs brokers will be eligible, but consumers who paid more due to these taxes may not see any relief.
According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), over 330,000 importers paid a staggering $166 billion in International Emergency Economic Powers Act duties as of March 4. While the portal aims to comply with the Supreme Court decision, there are indications that the Trump administration might seek to reduce the refund amount.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told Fox Business that alternative authorities might shrink this figure significantly, although he mentioned it is still a work in progress. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is currently studying how to minimize refunds.
This first phase of the CAPE process is designed to consolidate refund applications rather than processing them entry-by-entry. Refunds are expected 60 to 90 days after acceptance, but The New York Times warns that delays might be inevitable in this brand-new system.







