US Begins Refunding Up to $175 Billion in Tariffs Deemed Unlawful by Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2026

The US government has launched a process to refund up to $175 billion in tariffs previously imposed by the Trump administration, following a Supreme Court ruling that declared the levies unlawful.

The refunds, which could amount to approximately 2.5% of the US federal budget, are being processed through a new online portal called CAPE, according to US customs authorities. Only companies that directly paid the tariffs are eligible to apply, with approved refunds expected within 60 to 90 days of submission.

Scope and Scale of Refunds

The total amount to be refunded is estimated at between $166 billion, according to US Customs, and $175 billion, as calculated by the University of Pennsylvania. The discrepancy reflects differing methodologies in assessing the tariffs' cumulative impact. The refunds stem from tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump under a 1977 emergency law, which the Supreme Court ruled unlawful in February 2026.

A New York international trade court judge later affirmed that importers were entitled to refunds for tariffs already paid. The CAPE portal will initially handle recently closed or pending cases, with older cases to be addressed in subsequent phases. Thousands of applications are anticipated, though the timeline for processing older claims remains unclear.

Eligibility and Consumer Impact

Only businesses that directly paid the tariffs—primarily importers and manufacturers—are eligible for refunds. The US government has not clarified whether consumers will indirectly benefit, such as through potential price reductions on goods affected by the tariffs.