$166 Billion Of Trump Tariffs At Stake: Here's Who Gets Priority In Refunds & How The System Works

Last Updated:April 01, 2026, 11:54 IST

Last month, the ⁠US Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s broadest global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, dealing a blow to his economic policy

The United States customs agency has said it is making progress in setting up a streamlined process for refunding some $166 billion in tariff collections deemed illegal by the Supreme Court, but that its new system could take up to 45 days to review and process refund applications.

In a filing with the US Court of International Trade, US Customs and Border Protection official Brandon Lord said development of a new refund claims portal, review, processing and refund system is now between 60 per cent and 85 per cent complete, Reuters reported. He did not provide a start date for applications, but the agency previously had indicated a 45-day goal, a deadline ⁠that ends in late April.

Last month, the ⁠US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s broadest global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), dealing a blow to his administration’s central economic policy.

Reuters reported that according to court documents, more than 330,000 importers paid the IEEPA tariffs on 53 million shipments.

ALSO READ | US Top Court Blocks Trump’s Tariff Orders: Does It Mean Zero Duties For Indian Goods?

News18 takes a look at who gets priority in US tariff refunds and how the system actually works.

After the US Supreme Court’s February 2026 ruling, the question of who gets repaid and how has become a central issue for businesses and the trade system. But the high court did not spell out how refunds should be handled, leaving the matter to lower courts and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Q. Who Is Eligible For A US Tariff Refund?

A: Only importers of record, which is the companies or entities that directly paid the tariffs to US Customs when goods entered the US. Consumers who paid higher prices due to tariffs do not get a direct refund, Times Now reported.

Q. Why Are These Refunds Happening Now?

A. In February, the US Supreme Court struck down the Trump-era tariffs as unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This means duties collected under those tariffs are being refunded.

Q. Who Gets Priority In The Refund Process?

A. CBP has stated that recent or unresolved entries get priority. This means entries finalised (“liquidated") in the last ~80 days, and entries whose liquidation is suspended, extended, or under review. This ensures the easiest and clearest cases are processed first, The Economic Times reported.

Q. How Is The Refund System Being Set Up?

A. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is creating a new online refund claims portal to handle millions of entries. Once applications are submitted, processing and payments may take up to 45 days, depending on complexity.

Q. Do Companies Need To Sue To Get Their Money?

A. Not necessarily. CBP aims to process claims administratively, but many importers are still filing cases in the Court of International Trade (CIT) to secure their refunds or challenge complex entries. Times Now reported that large companies with detailed records have a head start, while smaller importers may need legal support.

Q. What About Interest On The Refunded Tariffs?

A. By law, refunded tariffs should include interest, but the exact timing and calculation will depend on CBP procedures and court rulings. Bloomberg says some importers may have to pursue separate claims to ensure full restitution.

Q. How Long Will The Entire Refund Process Take?

A. While initial claims may be processed in 45 days, the full refund system is expected to take months or even years, given the scale: around $166 billion in tariffs from over 330,000 importers, The Economic Times said.

Sounds complicated? Here’s the explanation in layman terms.

The US Supreme Court recently ruled that the Trump-era tariffs were illegal, meaning companies that paid those tariffs can get their money back. The refunds go only to the importers who actually paid the duties, not to shoppers who faced higher prices. US Customs is building a new online system to handle the claims, and payments for recent or unresolved shipments could take up to 45 days once submitted. Older cases or fully finalised shipments will take longer, as they need more careful review.

Because there’s around $166 billion at stake, the process will be slow. Big companies with detailed records are likely to get refunds faster, while smaller importers may need legal help or patience. Interest should also be included, but the exact timeline for full repayment remains uncertain. In short, the money is coming back, but it’s a step-by-step, months-long process.

News explainers $166 Billion Of Trump Tariffs At Stake: Here's Who Gets Priority In Refunds & How The System Works

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