US Importers Receive $20 Billion in Tariff Refunds After Court Voids Trump's 10% Global Duties
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 27
US Importers Receive $20 Billion in Tariff Refunds After Court Voids Trump's 10% Global Duties
12 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 27
$20 billion has already been refunded to US importers and shippers, with Customs and Border Protection saying about $65 billion more is due after the Supreme Court struck down Trump's tariffs in February.
The refunds stem from the court's finding that Trump exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping import levies, including a baseline 10% tariff on all imports.
Major companies including Walmart, General Motors and FedEx moved quickly to claim money back, while retailers said the returned cash could help lower prices after months of tariff-driven cost increases.
The broader hit was significant: the Tax Foundation estimated the tariffs raised household costs by about $1,000 in 2025, and polling found seven in 10 Americans reported higher prices.
Trump has still tried to preserve his tariff agenda, launching a new 10% import tariff under a different statute, though the US trade court ruled against that measure earlier in May.
Will the $85 billion tariff refund for businesses actually lead to lower prices for American families, or is it a corporate windfall?
After one tariff was struck down, another appeared. How will this legal cat-and-mouse game over presidential trade authority ultimately be resolved?
$175 Billion in Tariff Refunds: Supreme Court Overturns IEEPA Duties, Triggers Legal and Economic Upheaval
Overview
In February 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were illegal, marking a major win for small businesses that had paid billions in unlawful duties. This decision opened the door to significant tariff refunds, but the Court gave no clear instructions on how refunds should be processed. As a result, businesses are worried about delays and uncertainty, especially since the ruling could still be appealed. To manage refunds, U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched the CAPE Declaration system, but many companies remain unsure about their eligibility and the timeline for receiving funds.