The Trump administration began refunding portions of the $166 billion in tariff revenue to U.S. importers Monday, after a February Supreme Court ruling that struck down the import taxes.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched the first phase of a refund portal that went live on Monday, called the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries, or CAPE. It works within the existing Automated Commercial Environment to streamline refund requests under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The system was designed to consolidate refunds of IEEPA duties, including interest, rather than processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis. CBP plans to continue developing subsequent phases of the system to ensure it complies with court orders to return the money collected under Trump’s first tariff plan, which was underpinned by the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
As of March 26, more than 26,000 importers, representing 78% of tariff payments, had registered with CBP for electronic refunds. Lord estimated the first phase could process about $120 billion.
For more information, go to:Â International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Duty Refunds | U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
