Trump tariffs refund: US launches claims process after Supreme Court ruling

The United States has begun issuing refunds for tariffs imposed during the Trump era after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled them unlawful in February 2026.

The government has launched the CAPE portal, where companies can apply for refunds of duties paid between 5 April 2025 and 24 February 2026.

Eligible applicants include customs brokers and importers who paid the tariffs. Individuals are not eligible for refunds. To apply, users must create an account on the official customs platform, link a U.S. bank card, and upload a spreadsheet detailing all shipments subject to the duties.

Applications cannot be edited after submission, though a new one can be filed if needed. Approved refunds are expected to be processed within 60 to 90 days.

According to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection cited by Reuters, as of 9 April 2026 around 56,500 importers had completed the process, with approximately $127 billion set to be returned. The total amount of tariffs deemed unlawful is estimated at $166 billion.