Tariff refund portal opens; some retailers may be due billions
Businesses that paid tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under emergency powers authorization can start applying for refunds.
In February 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Trump Administration does not have the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs on imported products under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA.
IEEPA’s language does not specifically mention tariffs but does allow the president to regulate importations after declaring a national emergency. Trump had issued both reciprocal tariffs on countries which impose levies on imports from the U.S., as well as tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico for what he said was those governments’ failure to crack down the smuggling of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs to the U.S.
The Supreme Court ruling did not address the issue of whether the U.S. government must repay tariffs already collected, but in March 2026 the U.S. Court of International Trade ordered the U.S. government to accept refund requests from businesses, primarily importers but also including some retailers, that have paid IEEPA tariffs.
According to CNBC, analysis from Citi indicates several major U.S. retailers and brands are eligible to be repaid millions and even billions of dollars they paid due to the overturned tariffs. These include Walmart ($10.2 billion), Target ($2.2 billion), Nike ($1 billion back), Kohl's ($550 million), Gap ($400 million), and Macy's ($320 million).
Now, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is offering a digital tool called Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), available Automated Commercial Environment Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal). Importers and authorized customs brokers can now file CAPE declarations through their ACE Portal accounts, with other companies to be allowed to submit refund requests at a later time.
CAPE is designed to consolidate refunds of IEEPA duties including interest rather than processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis. The initial phase is limited to certain entries. More details are available here.
It is estimated that the U.S. government is liable for repaying a total of $166 billion in tariff refunds, plus interest. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has estimated refunds will be issued within 60 to 90 days after they are approved.
Trump has signed an executive order setting a new 15% "global tariff" under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows him to establish tariffs for 150 days, with congressional approval needed for any extension. Members of the Trump administration have said there are other legal authorizations that can be used to reinstate many of the IEEPA tariffs which have been struck down.
In addition, tariffs which have been instituted under Sections 201 or 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, or Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 will remain in effect. Section 301 tariffs cover approximately 40% of U.S. imports, including 70% of textile and apparel imports from China.
In a public statement, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) said businesses that receive tariff refunds should pass those savings along to their customers.
[READ MORE: Consumers, businesses paid most of 2025 tariff costs, according to NY Fed report]
“After more than a year, the Trump administration will begin issuing tariff refunds it illegally took from small businesses and the American people,” Markey said. “But because of this administration’s shortsighted decision to not issue automatic refunds, it will be big businesses that benefit the most. American small businesses and families deserve to get their money back with interest. Big businesses that get refunds need to get the money back to their customers; ‘everyday low prices’ is not the way to do it.”
