Refund of U.S. Tariffs Imposed Under the IEEPA

In 2025, President Donald Trump introduced a number of tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down these tariffs, and it was subsequently determined that the tariffs collected must be refunded to the affected importers.

On April 20, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened a portal for processing refunds of the affected tariff amounts. As a result, many businesses may now have the opportunity to recover substantial amounts.

Who may qualify for a refund?

The following key conditions are essential:

  • Only tariffs imposed under the IEEPA during the period from February 2025 through February 2026 are eligible for refunds.
  • The company must have been registered as the Importer of Record (IOR) in order to apply for a refund.
  • Refunds are currently expected to be processed within approximately 60–90 days.

What should businesses do now?

Companies that imported goods into the United States during the relevant period should promptly assess whether they may have a refund claim and whether they meet the conditions for reimbursement.

TIMEVAT has entered into a collaboration with a U.S.-based tax advisory firm headquartered in the United States to assist companies with the assessment and handling of potential IEEPA refund claims.

An initial assessment may, among other things, be based on:

  • Information identifying which entity acted as the Importer of Record (IOR).
  • Financial information relating to the tariffs paid.
  • Import and customs documentation from the relevant period.

Why is this important?

Timing is a critical factor. Although the refund portal is currently open, there is no guarantee regarding how long the program will remain available or whether processing times and requirements may change during the process.

Companies with U.S. import activity during the relevant period should therefore consider having their potential refund opportunities assessed as soon as possible.

For further information, please contact TIMEVAT at info@timevat.com.