Overview
- The Justice Department told the court on Friday, May 30, that it will appeal a judge’s order allowing every importer of record to claim refunds for tariffs the Supreme Court struck down.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection has accepted roughly $85 billion in refund applications and has directed $20.6 billion to the Treasury for disbursement as it processes claims through a new CAPE portal.
- Judge Richard K. Eaton ordered broad eligibility for refunds and scheduled a June 9 hearing to press CBP on the pace of repayments and to consider testimony from agency officials.
- The government estimates about $166 billion may be owed and roughly 330,000 importers could qualify, creating large paperwork and banking hurdles that have produced partial payments to some firms.
- Retailers and small businesses say early refunds have gone to price cuts, debt payments or operating costs, but whether consumers see relief depends on private companies’ decisions and the outcome of the appeal.