SouthernWorldwide.com – Businesses across the United States have started to receive their federal refunds for tariffs that were previously imposed by President Trump in 2025. These tariffs were later invalidated by the Supreme Court earlier this year.
Sarah Wells, who owns a small business specializing in accessories and apparel for breastfeeding mothers, shared with CBS News that she has received approximately half of the money owed to her by the U.S. government. This amount has already been deposited into her bank account.
In April, Wells submitted claims for refunds concerning two distinct tariffs. These tariffs were implemented by her business under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). One claim was for a shipment originating from China, and the other was for goods imported from Cambodia.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in February stated that President Trump did not possess the legal authority to impose tariffs under the IEEPA. This decision paved the way for businesses to seek reimbursement.
“My refund claim was accepted, and I had been diligently checking the status to see if any funds had appeared in my bank account,” Wells told CBS News. “Earlier this morning, around 7 o’clock, I received the payment for the first container that arrived from China.”
Wells indicated that the refund she received amounted to $10,000. This sum covers the 20% tariff she had paid on the goods, along with accrued interest. She anticipates another federal payment of $10,000 for other IEEPA tariffs that her business had absorbed.
As of 7 a.m. ET on Monday, the federal government reported that it had approved close to 87,000 refund requests. These requests encompass over 15 million IEEPA duty payments. Brandon Lord, an official from CBP, stated in a filing with the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York that more than half of these entries have been finalized, resulting in refunds totaling $35.5 billion, which includes interest.
Ryan Peterson, the CEO of Flexport, a supply chain management company, informed CBS News that as of Monday, the company’s clients had collectively received $137 million in IEEPA tariff refunds from the U.S. government. This indicates a significant amount of capital being returned to businesses.
“I am somewhat impressed by how quickly the government managed to build and launch this system,” Peterson commented. “Many government timelines tend to be considerably longer than this.”
The Trump administration is estimated to owe importers approximately $166 billion in refunds. This substantial figure highlights the financial impact of the tariffs on businesses.
It is important to note that imports are still subject to a 10% tariff. This tariff was imposed by President Trump in February under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Furthermore, in March, the White House also announced investigations into the trade practices of foreign nations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This section empowers U.S. trade officials to unilaterally retaliate against countries engaged in unfair trade practices.
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“We have an order currently in production in Cambodia, which is expected to arrive in July or August, and we will be required to pay a 10% tariff on it,” Wells explained. She added that “possible Section 301 tariffs could also be implemented,” underscoring the ongoing uncertainty. “We are in a cycle of having to plan for the unplanned,” she concluded, reflecting the challenges businesses face in navigating evolving trade policies.
