Tariff Refund Portal Opens Monday for Businesses Hit by Trump Duties
Starting Monday, U.S. businesses can apply for refunds on tariffs they paid during the Trump administration through a new government website called CAPE. The Supreme Court struck down most of those tariffs two months ago, clearing the way for companies to get their money back.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will launch its tariff refund portal on Monday, April 20, giving businesses their first chance to recoup money from Trump-era trade duties ruled illegal by the Supreme Court.
The online system, called Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries or CAPE, opens exactly two months after the Supreme Court struck down most of President Trump's tariffs. Companies that imported goods and paid the extra fees can now file for refunds through the government website.
But getting the money back won't be automatic. Trade attorneys told CBS News that businesses must do the work themselves to prove they deserve refunds, even for amounts reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. The system also limits applications to certain types of tariff payments called "unliquidated" entries.
The refund process puts the burden on U.S. importers to navigate the system and gather the right paperwork. Many businesses paid these tariffs for years, passing the costs on to customers through higher prices on everything from electronics to clothing.
Businesses that imported goods and paid extra fees under Trump's tariffs could get hundreds of thousands of dollars back. Those refunds could help companies lower prices for customers or invest in growth, potentially affecting the cost of everyday products.
The CAPE portal goes live Monday. Businesses will need to file applications with documentation proving their tariff payments.
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