US Customs Says Tariff Refund System 40–80% Complete

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said it has made significant progress in building a system to process tariff refunds owed to importers, with development estimated to be between 40% and 80% complete. The agency expects the platform to be ready within roughly 45 days.

According to information submitted to the U.S. Court of International Trade, the new system is intended to streamline the refund process for companies that paid tariffs later ruled unlawful. Officials said the process will require minimal submissions from importers, helping accelerate the handling of a potentially large volume of refund claims.

The update follows a court ruling requiring the U.S. government to return certain tariffs collected from importers, along with interest. The decision came after legal challenges to sweeping import duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which courts determined were not legally justified.

The ruling could affect hundreds of thousands of importing companies across the United States. Once the new system becomes operational, CBP expects it will significantly speed up reimbursements and reduce administrative burdens for businesses seeking tariff refunds.