Overview
- Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that all registered importers are entitled to refunds on the Trump IEEPA tariffs the Supreme Court struck down on Feb. 20.
- Eaton said he will hear all IEEPA-related refund cases, offering procedural clarity as a trade attorney expects the government to appeal or seek a stay.
- Two days earlier, the Federal Circuit rejected the administration’s request to delay the litigation and sent the matter to the trade court to set the path for refunds.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection must design a mechanism for mass repayments, with more than $130 billion collected and outside estimates putting potential refunds near $175 billion.
- Over 900 refund lawsuits have been filed and companies including Costco, FedEx, L’Oréal and Dyson have submitted claims, while President Trump has said he plans a 15% tariff under Section 122 that could face legal challenges.