US Refunding Billions Paid in "Trump Tariffs"

(IDEX Online) - The US government has started the refund process for importers who paid a total of $166 billion in "Trump tariffs" that were subsequently outlawed.

Diamond and jewelry shipments will be among the first waves of eligible claims handled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) because they are high‑value entries with clearly identified duties under the IEEPA tariffs that were ruled illegal by the Supreme Court in February 2026.

In addition, many of them fall into the category of recent or unliquidated entries that CBP is prioritizing in the first phase of the refund program.

The refund program was formally launched on 20 April when CBP opened the CAPE portal within the ACE environment, allowing importers to start filing claims.

CBP has indicated that approved refunds could be issued within 60 to 90 days, with interest from the date the duty was paid, running at roughly 6% annually.

High‑value parcels that shipped in the last 12 months can generate substantial cash‑flow boosts once claims are processed.

Refunds do not apply to the global tariffs of 10% which were imposed under different legislation after the IEEPA tariffs were struck down.

Pic shows President Donald Trump announcing reciprocal tariffs last April. They were subsequently ruled illegal.